The Tennessee Titans were able to build on their impressive win streak on Sunday, as they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 34-31 in overtime to push the streak to four in a row. The 6-2 Titans -- who also defeated Indy earlier this season -- now have a considerable lead on the 3-5 Colts in the AFC South. This divisional showdown was a wild one, as both teams experienced highs and lows. There were five total turnovers committed.
Late in the fourth quarter with the game tied, Carson Wentz threw a bad pick six in the shadow of his own goal post, but rebounded to lead a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive -- thanks in large part to a pass interference call in the end zone -- with just seconds left to send the game to overtime. He wasn't able to build on that momentum, however, as he threw a bad interception to Kevin Byard on Indy's second possession of the overtime period, which ultimately decided the game. Randy Bullock hit a 44-yard field goal to send the Titans home victorious.
So, what in the world happened in this game? Let's take a deep dive into what went down in the AFC South on Sunday.
Why the Titans won
When it comes to identifying contenders in the NFL, you don't just go off of a team's talent level. You also have to account for how a team handles adversity. The resilience this Titans team possesses was on full display. The Titans came out on Sunday and got punched in the mouth. Michael Pittman Jr. scored two touchdowns less than eight minutes into the game, and Ryan Tannehill threw a bad interception and also went three-and-out on his first two possessions. It felt like this just wasn't going to be the Titans' day, but they scored two unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter to tie the game.
The defense has of course had to overcome so much this season with injuries in the secondary, and they experienced some incredible highs and lows on Sunday. While the cornerbacks looked lost on almost every deep ball Wentz threw, Elijah Molden scored on an interception and then Byard picked off Wentz in the extra period to seal the game after committing the defensive pass interference penalty which ultimately sent the game to overtime. Tough, gritty, resilient -- whatever descriptor you want to use to describe this Titans team is fine. They just keep winning, even if it's ugly sometimes.
Why the Colts lost
The Colts would have won this game if they just avoided mistakes. Tyquan Lewis fumbled an interception in the second quarter that was recovered by the Titans, and on the very next play Tannehill hit A.J. Brown on a 57-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14 apiece. Wentz also threw a bad pick in his own end zone while trying to lead a game-winning drive -- and while he was able to lead a game-tying drive to send the game to overtime -- the Colts went three-and-out after winning the overtime coin toss and then Wentz threw his second interception of the game, which paved the way for a Titans game-winning field goal.
It's quite a gut punch for a team that was improving, especially with this loss coming to the top dog in the division that had already defeated Indy earlier this year. The season isn't technically over, but the Colts needed a win on Sunday to keep pace in the AFC South.
Turning point
Overtime was a rollercoaster of emotions if you were rooting for either the Colts or Titans. Indy won the coin toss -- which usually signals victory in overtime -- but they went three-and-out. The Titans then also went three-and-out, so Wentz and Co. got the ball back needing just a field goal to win. Then, the Colts QB made this fateful mistake:
Play of the game
Let me set the stage for you. Wentz led his offense onto the field with just over one minute remaining in a tie game. This could be a moment where Wentz showed up and declared himself the quarterback of the future. Instead, this is what happened on the first play of what could have been a game-winning drive:
Credit to the rookie Molden, who came down from the secondary and made the catch. Great anticipation.
Quotable
What's next
The Titans will stay on the road this upcoming week, and will pay a visit to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on "Sunday Night Football." For the Colts, they are on a short week, as they will host the New York Jets on "Thursday Night Football."