Blocked Punt Sparks Tennessee Titans’ First Win in Indianapolis

The Tennessee Titans arrived in Indianapolis at 0–5, searching for one play to change the shape of their season. They found an enormous one when a blocked punt became a touchdown in the fourth quarter. That special-teams strike helped Tennessee erase a 13-point hole and beat the Colts 26–20 at Lucas Oil Stadium, earning its first win while Indianapolis fell to 2–4.

The Colts entered hoping Jonathan Taylor could power a home reset after last week’s loss. Early on, they controlled the ball and looked ready to do just that. Daniel Jones connected on a 36-yard pass to Deion Burks, but safety Amani Hooker stopped the drive with an interception at the Tennessee 6-yard line.

Indianapolis stayed patient. In the second quarter, Jones hit Taylor for 38 yards, then Josh Downs swept around the left side to the 1. Tight end Mo Alie-Cox finished the march with a 1-yard touchdown catch for a 7–0 lead. The Colts added two Spencer Shrader field goals, including one from 47 yards, after safety Cam Bynum intercepted Cam Ward. By halftime, Indianapolis led 13–0 despite Tennessee’s tough defense creating pressure.

The game twisted right after the break. Taylor fumbled on the Colts’ first play of the third quarter, and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons recovered at Indianapolis’ 33. Tennessee could only get a 29-yard field goal from kicker Joey Slye, but the points brought life to the visitors. Slye later blasted a 56-yarder to cut the lead to 13–6.

The Titans’ young passing connection then took center stage. Carnell Tate caught three passes on a march that began with a 58-yard punt return by Chimere Dike. Tate’s final grab was an 8-yard touchdown from Ward, tying the game 13–13 with 13 minutes left. Tate finished with six catches for 70 yards, giving Ward a dependable target when Tennessee needed one.

Indianapolis had more total yards and held the ball for 38 minutes, but its mistakes became too costly. After the Colts stalled near their own 37, Tennessee’s Julius Chestnut blocked Rigoberto Sanchez’s punt. Defensive end Oluwafemi Oladejo picked it up and raced 14 yards for a touchdown. In an instant, Tennessee led 20–13.

Taylor refused to let the Colts fade. He helped drive them down the field with a 19-yard catch and then ran in a 4-yard touchdown to tie it at 20–20. He finished with 94 rushing yards and showed the power that made him Indianapolis’ main engine.

But Ward and Tony Pollard answered. A pass interference call moved Tennessee forward, Pollard ran steadily into range, and Slye drilled a 49-yard field goal for a 23–20 lead. After the Titans defense forced a late stop, Slye added a 44-yarder with 43 seconds left.

Tennessee now carries its first victory into a meeting with Cleveland, with its defense and special teams showing a path forward. The Colts head to Minnesota knowing their offense can move the ball, but three turnovers and the blocked punt turned a chance to reset into another hard lesson.