The Tennessee Titans picked up a thrilling victory in Week 6, their first of the season. They overturned a 13-0 halftime deficit to round off 20 unanswered points and defeat the Indianapolis Colts 26-20. The defensive and special teams units spearheaded the comeback, while offensive coordinator Brian Daboll continued to oversee an ineffective offense.
The Colts outgained the Titans by 213 total yards (399-186). According to Next Gen Stats, this was the Titans' worst total yards margin in a victory since Week 15, 2006, against the Jaguars (-298, h/t Easton Freeze). The victory can't hide another Daboll dud.
Daboll and the entire Titans offense needs to be significantly better. Let's examine how the Titans truly won this game.
Titans OC Brian Daboll coached another dud in thrilling Week 6 win over Colts
Daboll's offense mustered 64 first-half yards and zero points. The Titans punted on three occasions despite being in fourth-and-manageable situations. The defense and special teams swung the result throughout the second half.
The third quarter began by Jeffery Simmons forcing a fumble and recovering it on the Colts' 33-yard line. Daboll's offense managed 22 yards and settled for a field goal. The Titans' next drive started at their own 11-yard line after Cor'Dale Flott ended a lengthy Colts possession with an interception. This was Daboll's best series of the second half, even though the offense settled for another field goal after a nine-play, 50-yard drive.
The third Titans possession of the second half began at the Colts' 28-yard line after Chimere Dike returned a punt for 58 yards. Four plays later, the Titans were in the endzone via a Cam Ward to Carnell Tate touchdown pass, tying the game 13-13. Credit where credit is due, it was a creative playcall.
Titans defense, special teams hides another inept offensive performance
The following Colts possession ended with a blocked punt returned for a Titans touchdown. After the Colts tied the game at 20 apiece, Daboll's offense managed 16 yards on eight plays, benefiting from a big-time pass interference call on Tate. Joey Slye made the game-winning FG from 49 yards.
Three of the Titans' second-half possessions began in Colts territory from the 33, 28, and 31-yard lines respectively. In fairness, they scored on all three possessions, but two of those scores were Joey Slye conversions. The comeback victory required two turnovers and two excellent special teams plays to swing momentum.
The Titans can't rely on multiple defensive turnovers and game-changing plays on special teams to continue winning games, though Sunday's outcome was a welcome sight. Daboll's offense needs to be significantly better. They're still figuring things out.
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