Tennessee Titans fall to Indianapolis, 41-17 (3rd straight loss)
By Dave Bevan
Last week, I talked to Naptown’s Finest (the Fansided Network’s Colts site) about which Colts receivers will make the biggest impact in Sunday’s game. Reggie Wayne was who I feared the most, despite the 35 year old trying to recover from last year’s ACL injury. Wayne led the Colts in receiving with 7 receptions for 119 yards and had one touchdown. I hate being right sometimes. I also picked the Titans to win, and that shows I don’t know what I’m talking about sometimes. Andrew Luck was stellar through the air. The Colts’ veteran quarterback completed 29-of-41 pass and threw for 393 total passing yards.
More from Titans News
- Tennessee Titans suspiciously quiet about major draft need
- Tennessee Titans agree to new deal with star Jeffery Simmons
- Caesars Promo Code Expires Soon – Claim $1,250 Today
- 3 needs that are being overblown by Tennessee Titans fans
- Tennessee Titans have potential dilemmas in 2023 NFL Draft
For the Tennessee Titans’ offense, it was everything but professional on the field today. Charlie Whitehurst made his 5th career NFL start at the age of 32. Out of desperation for change, many Titan fans had been looking forward to this day (keyword: HAD), due to Jake Locker’s performances not meeting expectations thus far in the season.
Locker stood on the sidelines with a clipboard this Sunday while recovering from a wrist injury he suffered from in last weekend’s game against the Bengals. Whitehurst completed 12-of-23 passes, pulled in a mere 177 passing yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Whitehurst spent most of his time on his back, as the offensive line allowed three sacks.
There was really nothing apart of the Titans’ offense that stood out against the Colts. Nothing. The receivers seemed to have quit trying this week. The offensive line moved like Jell-O. And, Charlie Whitehurst led the Titans in rushing with 40 yards on the ground. Does that explain enough of how successful the Titans were while running the ball?
This picture sums up Titans football. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Even though they were backed into a wall on the Colts’ first two scoring drives, the defense still did not show any better performances than the offense. The Titans’ defense allowed 500 yards today. Jason McCourty and the Titans’ secondary gave up most of that yardage.
The Tennessee Titans never stood a chance in this game. Early turnovers defined of what the future outcome of this game would be. There were seldom moments that got Titans’ fans intrigued in this game. Well, one moment, right? Wesley Woodyard intercepted an Andrew Luck pass on the Colts 25 yard line. This setup a Charlie Whitehurst to Delanie Walker scoring drive. Walker was the only one in my mind who stood out for the Titans. The nine year tight end lead the Titans with 84 total receiving yards, 31 yards being his longest, and 1 TD.
The Colts improve to 2-2 on the season after the 41-17 victory over the Titans. Reggie Wayne now has 1,029 catches, 13,873 yards and 81 TD receptions after his 200th career start. The Titans fall to 1-3 on the season, and it would be their third straight loss. What has happened since the season opening win over Kansas City?
What makes this all depressing is that the Titans had projections to be good in the preseason. Ken Whisenhunt was suppose to have some of the most talented receivers and secondary in the league. The two areas that were suppose to be the biggest strengths for the Titans has turned into areas of weaknesses. Are these all struggles of coaching that need to be addressed? Titan fans have questioned Locker’s ability to lead the Titans. When do you start questioning Whisenhunt?
Game Notes (A lot of them depressing)
- Zach Mettenberger made his first NFL regular season appearance. He went 2/5, 17 passing yards, 1 INT.
- Indy kept the ball for 42:21, compared with 17:39 for the Titans.
- The Titans allowed the Colts to score 85 points in their last two games.
- Colts safety Mike Adams had two interceptions.
- Indy receiver T.Y. Hilton had six receptions for 105 yards.
- Bishop Sankey ran 6 times for 34 yards (2nd most on the team), 1 TD.