The Tennessee Titans fell to 3-12 on Sunday after their 38-30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Titans started out strong, scoring first and getting a takeaway, but that’s where it ended for a while. The Colts would score 38 unanswered points before the Titans found the end zone again, and by that time they couldn’t recover.
Mason Rudolph had two turnovers and the Titans’ defense struggled with injuries while Tyjae Spears was the brightest spot on a cloudy day with his continued explosive play on the field. The game was frustrating but also showed the players’ unwillingness to give up despite facing a huge deficit. They deserve credit for their will to fight back despite still losing the game.
Here’s a look at some of the studs and duds (and studly duds) from Sunday’s Week 16 loss.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Tyjae Spears was this week’s Player of the Game for being the guy the Titans needed on Sunday. He ran the ball 10 times for 27 yards and two touchdowns, caught three passes for 39 yards and returned two kicks for 69 yards. He did exactly what the Titans needed him to do today, if only they had deployed him earlier in the game, perhaps the outcome would have been different.
Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Tony Pollard was largely invisible against the Colts on Sunday. He carried the ball eight times for 35 yards and caught two passes for five yards. That’s it. He’s still having an excellent season, but it’s clear his injury is hampering his game. It wasn’t his day against the Colts.
Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Chigoziem Okonkwo once again made his presence known on the field. He made himself available for Mason Rudolph on a couple of crucial plays in their effort to put points on the board, recording nine catches for 81 yards and a two-point conversion. Tight ends have had success against the Colts this season, and the Titans took advantage of that today.
Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Kenneth Murray Jr. is battling an injury and missed some field time getting treatment today, but he was largely a nonfactor even when he was on the field. He recorded just two tackles (one solo), and didn’t have the impact we’re used to seeing from him this season.
Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Amani Hooker has been the most consistent piece of the Titans’ secondary this season. He leads the team with five interceptions after snagging one from Anthony Richardson today, surpassing his own season record of four interceptions. He also recorded five tackles (four solo) and one pass defensed.
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The kicker has one job: Put the ball through the uprights. Nick Folk is still dealing with an abdominal injury that affects his ability to kick the ball, so Brayden Narveson was signed to take his place this week. Narveson made the two extra points he tried, but missed a 53-yard field goal that could have changed the momentum of the game.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Mason Rudolph didn’t have the best day. He went 23-for-34 for 252 yards and two touchdowns but also threw three interceptions which was ultimately the downfall of the game today. He put up some yards and he put some points on the board, but those turnovers… That’s the reason Will Levis was benched, so if Rudolph can’t do better, then what are we even doing?
Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
- WR Calvin Ridley
- LB Cedric Gray
- DE Jeffery Simmons
- LB Harold Landry
- S Daryl Worley
- P Ryan Stonehouse
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
- TE Nick Vannett
- RB Julius Chestnut
- DT James Lynch
- S Roger McCreary
