The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Tennessee Titans 31-28 in overtime as Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce became the first Colts teammates to each account for 100 receiving yards in a game since Donte Moncrief and Coby Fleener in 2014.
In overtime, quarterback Gardner Minshew found Pierce down the left sideline for a 55-yard gain, where Pierce nearly wrestled his way into the end zone. Two plays later, Pittman Jr. ran a slant to the back of the end zone, giving the Colts the victory.
Pittman Jr. also became the first Colts receiver to record over 100 yards and the game-winning touchdown in overtime, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
“The big one there was huge at the end to get us down at the four-yard line,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said after the game of Pierce's long reception to set up the game-winning score. “He keeps working and grinding and you know it takes some time every once in a while, but today was his opportunity and he made the most of it.”
Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ touchdown from three yards out with 5:26 remaining in the fourth quarter proved to be the last score of regulation. The Colts began the overtime period with a 1-1 record in overtime season with a win at Baltimore and a home loss to the Rams.
Minshew said he was “grateful for the opportunity” to see the ball in overtime. The team didn't have that opportunity in its Week 4 overtime loss to the Rams.
After the game, Minshew raved about Pierce. "He does a great job just staying positive for one," Minshew said. "There's teams, there's rooms I've been in where like that (Pierce’s lack of targets) can get toxic really fast but he made the most of his today and has maintained a positive attitude.”
In regulation, the Colts advanced beyond the Titans' 30-yard line on four possessions in a row but failed to score a touchdown. Kicker Matt Gay made three short field goals and Minshew fumbled once. The Colts trailed 17-16.
However, the Colts' special teams unit made an impact.
Nick Cross came screaming through the middle of the Titans' punt protection, blocking one punt attempt deep in Tennessee territory, leading to Grant Stuard’s first career touchdown.
The Titans' ensuing possession once again saw punter Ryan Stonehouse trot on fourth down for the sixth time in the game. Indianapolis's Tony Brown Jr. ran in from his gunner position and forced Stonehouse to fumble. Stonehouse severely hurt his leg in the process.
The play had major implications for the rest of the game as Titans kicker Nick Folk was forced to punt for the first time in his 16-year career, while backup quarterback Ryan Tannehill filled in as the holder on kicks. The lack of chemistry between Folk and Tannehill caused a missed extra point that could've given the Titans a 26-25 lead.
Tennessee won the coin toss in overtime and the Titans started their possession with a 19-yard rush from Tyjae Spears off the right tackle. Spears served as the lead back late in the game after Derrick Henry entered concussion protocol earlier in the game. Folk was able to convert a 46-yard field goal to take the lead in overtime with 4:19 remaining.
There was enough time for the Colts to answer with Minshew leading a game-winning touchdown drive.
Minshew, who signed in the offseason knowing the Colts would pick a quarterback in the first round of the NFL draft, has led his team to this four-game win streak, which is the team’s longest since 2018. He completed 26 of his 42 passes for 312 yards and two scores.
The Colts’ defensive line continued to dominate, racking up six sacks and adding to their total of 42 sacks on the season. That total trails only the Ravens for the league lead. The team is on pace for 59.5 sacks which would break the team’s single-season record held by the 1975 team.
“Them boys are hunting, them boys are playing great right now,” linebacker Zaire Franklin said. “Samson [Ebukam], all those guys are making plays over and over and over again.”
Franklin added six tackles to his league-leading count of 130 tackles on the season.
The Colts, which just five weeks ago had a 3-5 record, have taken the league by storm in a tie with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers for the longest active win streak. They sit in the thick of the AFC playoff picture with just five games to play.
The Colts will next travel to Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium, where they will face the injury-riddled 5-6 Bengals, which will face a short week after playing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football.
