Week 5 Game Recap: Tennessee Titans 13, Indianapolis Colts 14

What you need to know

Tennessee Titans

The Titans came into this game as big underdogs, but led at halftime 10 to 0. It’s the first time the Colts have been shut out in the first half this season. Tennessee was able to run the ball effectively, rushing for an impressive 214 yards, which helped to keep the clock running and the Colts’ offense on the sidelines.

Vince Young scored the game’s first touchdown on the Titans’ first possession. He ran around left end for 19 yards, capping an opening drive consisting of seven straight running plays by Travis Henry and LenDale White. Young rushed for 43 yards on the day, completed ten of 21 passes, no touchdowns, and one meaningless interception at the end of the first half.

Travis Henry, who was inactive, last week, keyed the Titans’ running attack. He gained 123 yards on just 19 carries and showed some of his old power and quickness running through big holes in the Colts’ defense.

Brandon Jones, filling in for David Givens, led all Tennessee receivers with three catches for 40 yards.

The Titans’ defense forced the Colts to punt six times and held Manning to just 166 passing yards, but they gave up two touchdowns in the second half. Reggie Wayne caught the go ahead TD with 5:10 left in the fourth quarter. It was the first time that Tennessee trailed in the game.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts remain committed to running the ball, and while both Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai found running room and gained substantial yardage, Indianapolis was unable to sustain many drives.

Peyton Manning came on strong in the second half and led the Colts to their first touchdown, hitting Marvin Harrison on a 13 yard slant pass in the third quarter. He threw his second TD of the game to Reggie Wayne late in the fourth quarter to take the lead, and the Colts’ defense was able to hold off a late Titans’ rally.

Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison each caught their first TD passes of the year. Brandon Stokley, who was questionable before the game, caught five passes for 57 yards. He made some clutch catches in the second half to help sustain drives, and while he didn’t find the end zone, he is still one of Manning’s favorite targets.

The Colts did just enough to win, but did not play particularly well. They won a game they were supposed to win, but Manning had to yet again rally his team in the fourth quarter. When the Colts finally went ahead of Tennessee, the Colts’ defense managed to protect their one point lead.

What you ought to know

QB Vince Young, Pass: 10 - 21 - 63 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 4 - 43 - 1

The rookie QB nearly pulled off a huge upset, but was unable to bring his team back after the Colts took the lead late in the game. He showed pocket poise and a strong arm, but only completed ten of his 21 attempts. He is a legitimate threat to run, and scored the game’s first touchdown on a nifty 19 yard sprint around the hard charging Dwight Freeney. He finished the game with 43 rushing yards on four attempts, but just 63 passing yards.

RB Travis Henry, Rush: 19 - 123 - 0, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (4 targets)

Henry keyed the Titans’ rushing attack and gained 123 yards on 19 carries. He flashed some of his old power and quickness, and added two pass receptions for ten yards.

RB LenDale White, Rush: 8 - 48 - 0, Rec: 3 - 7 - 0 (5 targets)

The rookie from USC spelled Travis Henry throughout the game, and gained 48 of Tennessee’s 214 total rushing yards. He also caught three passes.

RB Ahmad Hall, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets)

Hall caught one short pass for four yards.

RB Chris Brown

Brown was inactive for this game.

WR Brandon Jones, Rec: 3 - 40 - 0 (6 targets)

Replacing David Givens in the lineup, Jones led all Tennessee receivers with six targets and three receptions. He seemed to have the confidence of Young and managed to separate from defenders.

WR Drew Bennett (1 targets)

Bennett appeared to sustain a foot injury on his only target, an interception at the Colts’ 35 yard line with :03 left in the first half.

WR Courtney Roby

Roby got into the game but was not targeted.

WR Bobby Wade (4 targets)

Wade was unable to catch any of the four passes thrown to him. In the fourth quarter, after Indianapolis took the lead, he returned the ensuing kickoff 48 yards to set up the Titans in Colts’ territory with five minutes left in the game.

WR David Givens

Givens was inactive due to a thumb injury.

TE Ben Troupe, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (1 targets)

Troupe caught one short pass for two yards.

TE Bo Scaife (1 targets)

Only one pass was thrown to Scaife, but it fell incomplete.

TE Erron Kinney

Kinney was inactive due to a knee injury.

PK Rob Bironas 2 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Bironas hit both field goals, from 22 and 47 yards, and added one extra point.

TEN Rush Defense

While Rhodes and Addai averaged 4.5 yards per carry and totaled 154 yards on the day, it was actually an improvement. The Titans have been giving up 190 rushing yards per game. While holding the highest scoring team in the NFL to just 14 points might be an accomplishment, the Colts still won the game.

TEN Pass Defense

Tennessee was able to limit Manning to just 161 yards passing on the day, but was unable to secure the win at the end. Chris Hope intercepted a pass intended for Reggie Wayne on the Titans’ seven yard line in the fourth quarter, but it turned out to only prolong the inevitable.

QB Peyton Manning, Pass: 20 - 31 - 166 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 8 - 0

Once again, Manning led the Colts back in the fourth quarter to win a game this season. He completed 20 of 31, was not always sharp, but did just enough to win. On Manning’s eight yard scramble, Keith Bullock nearly took his head off on a play eerily similar to the play in which Trent Green suffered a concussion. Manning also threw a potentially disastrous interception in the fourth quarter at the Titans’ seven yard line and trailing 13 – 7.

RB Dominic Rhodes, Rush: 20 - 84 - 0, Rec: 5 - 26 - 0 (6 targets)

Rhodes averaged 4.2 yards per carry, and is one reason the Colts’ can stay committed to running the ball, even when they fall behind in games. He had ten carries in the first half and ten more in the second half, but he also turned the ball over on a fumble.

RB Joseph Addai, Rush: 13 - 62 - 0, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (2 targets)

The LSU rookie continues to log significant playing time. Addai ran 13 times for a 4.8 yard per carry average and caught two passes for an additional 15 yards.

WR Brandon Stokley, Rec: 5 - 57 - 0 (6 targets)

Stokley caught five passes for 57 yards. He was the go to guy and made clutch receptions when Manning was rallying the team back for the win. Five of his six targets came in the second half.

WR Marvin Harrison, Rec: 3 - 29 - 1 (6 targets)

Harrison caught his first TD pass of the year in the third quarter with the Colts down 10 – 0. He finished with three receptions for 29 yards, and now has caught passes in 159 consecutive games, which is the NFL record at the start of a career. Harrison now stands alone in fourth place in career receiving yardage.

WR Reggie Wayne, Rec: 3 - 24 - 1 (9 targets)

Wayne caught his first TD pass of the year in the fourth quarter, which put the Colts ahead for the first time in the game. He totaled three receptions for 24 yards.

TE Dallas Clark, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (2 targets)

Clark caught both of Manning’s passes for 15 yards.

TE Bryan Fletcher (2 targets)

Fletcher was targeted twice but did not record a reception.

PK Martin Gramatica 0 - 0 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points

Cut earlier in the week, Grammatica was resigned when it was learned that Vinatieri could not play in this game. He kicked off and converted both extra points.

IND Rush Defense

The Colts once again were soft up the middle. DT Corey Simon has not recovered after knee surgery in August and was placed on the PUP list this week. The reasons appear to be a little mysterious. Giving up 214 yards to Travis Henry, LenDale White and Vince Young does not bode well for Indianapolis. They were able to make stops when they had to, but Tennessee nearly pulled the upset by simply running the ball right at them.

IND Pass Defense

Vince Young only attempted 21 passes, but the Colts intercepted him on a deep pass intended for Bennett at the end of the first half. They failed to register a sack, but were never really challenged by the rookie from Texas.