What we learned from Sunday’s matches

On By Littum

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Michael Baca’s takeaways:

  1. Indy’s ground game dominates the Titans. The Colts didn’t mess around with their slim playoff chances on the line, running the ball 50 times for a total of 335 yards to come away with an easy victory over a division rival. Running back Jonathan Taylor led the offense with 218 rushing yards and three touchdowns, exaggerating his sure-handed handling of the ball for every score compared to last week’s goal-line gaffe. With the Colts’ offensive line clearing big lanes, Taylor exploded for 65- and 70-yard dashes to the end zone virtually untouched and could have had a career-best day if not rested for much of the second half. Anthony Richardson was the bulldozer in short-yardage situations, producing 70 yards on nine carries (TD), and the sophomore quarterback put a fork in Tennessee’s comeback attempt with a big 10-yard gain on third-and-8 on the final offensive possession. Aside from the late fight from the Titans, it was a harmonious day for the Colts due to a flourishing game on the ground, but they will rely on help from other teams to claim one of the AFC’s final two playoff spots.
  2. Different QB, same problem for the Titans. Mason Rudolph started the game in place for Will Levisbut the offensive problems continued for Tennessee. Rudolph started well, connects with Calvin Ridley on a deep TD pass for the game’s first score, but he led a sputtering offense that totaled four three-and-outs, three in the first half. That doesn’t include Rudolph’s interception late in the second quarter, which really spurred a blowout as it put the Colts right in scoring position. His second pick in the third frame, which led to another TD, was part of a 38-point unanswered streak by the Colts. The Titans crept back into the game late with 23 unanswered points and scored on three straight drives that began late in the third quarter, but the defense’s inability to stop the run ultimately prevented a miraculous comeback from happening. Rudolph completed 23-of-34 passes for 252 yards with two TDs and three INTs — the last coming on the final play of the game — but any success he provided was too little too late for a team that seemingly looking forward to 2025.
  3. Richardson teeters on the Tebow line. The Colts QB entered this game with a 47% completion rate that threatens Tim Tebow’s all-time mark for qualified passers – 46.5% in 2011. Richardson wasn’t asked to pass often thanks to a dominant rushing attack, but he improved themselves. his efficiency rate on the season by going 7-of-11 passing on Sunday. But the INT he threw on the second drive of the game was what really got coach Shane Steichen calling run plays the majority of the way. Richardson had a nice TD pass to close the second half – a short, decisive throw to Josh Downswho galloped 27 yards untouched on a well-designed play call — but there was definitely a governor put on the 22-year-old project. Avoiding the Tebow line will require better accuracy from Richardson in the coming weeks. He continues to face a solid Giants pass defense next week, but ends the season against the league-worst Jaguars in Week 18.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Titans-Colts (via NFL Pro): Jonathan Taylor carried the ball 29 times for 218 yards and three touchdowns, generating a career-high +102 rush yards above expectations in Week 16 against the Titans, the third most of any player this season. Taylor recorded a top speed of over 21 mph on both of his explosive run touchdowns, two of his three fastest rushing speeds of the season.

NFL Research: The Colts’ 335 rushing yards against the Titans on Sunday broke the franchise’s team record of 299, which was set in Week 16 of the 1985 season.