The Tennessee Titans faced a disappointing 20-17 defeat against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Nissan Stadium, marking a setback in their season.
Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. secured a critical touchdown catch over L’Jarius Sneed with 7:27 remaining in the game, putting the Colts in the lead.
Titans quarterback Will Levis struggled to connect on deeper passes, finishing the game with just 95 passing yards on 16 completions out of 27 attempts.
The Colts began strong with Joe Flacco leading a touchdown drive, capped off by a touchdown pass to Josh Downs, before he threw the game-winning touchdown to Pittman.
As the game concluded, the Titans fell to a concerning 1-4, with challenging matchups against the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions looming. Conversely, the Colts improved to 3-3, managing the victory without their starting quarterback Anthony Richardson.
In a game filled with missed opportunities, the Titans’ offense faltered late. After a promising start, they were stagnant in the final minutes, resulting in a critical punt with less than three minutes left.
Despite a strong defensive stand earlier, the Titans’ offense went three-and-out multiple times, while the Colts managed to keep the chains moving. A missed deep throw by Flacco to Alec Pierce almost turned into a touchdown but instead helped the Titans regain possession after a Colts punt.
Late in the fourth quarter, Levis attempted a deep pass meant for Calvin Ridley but was intercepted by Julian Blackmon, sealing the Titan’s fate with 4:52 left on the clock.
Tennessee’s defense did manage to force a 3-and-out in the final minutes, but their offense’s struggles hindered any chance of a comeback. Ultimately, the Titans’ inability to execute, coupled with questionable officiating decisions that went against them, emphasized their ongoing struggles this season.
The Colts capitalized on their opportunities, with Pittman’s performance pivotal in their victory. After a tumultuous first half, which ended in a 10-10 tie, the Colts regained momentum and maintained it throughout the second half.
As the season progresses, the Titans will need to reassess and address their offensive difficulties to avoid further declines.