The Titans’ vaunted run defense could not withstand the league-average Colts’ rushing attack, allowing the newly-crowned Mason Rudolph to flounder in an attempted comeback. Indianapolis had 1,693 yards total in rushing yards entering Sunday and left with over 2,000 yards as a team. Tennessee’s run defense entered Sunday as a top-15 run defense unit, but that will likely change after a horrific effort on Sunday. Can the defense correct itself for a critical AFC South showdown next week? Will the record-breaking Colts that ran wild against the Titans find it next week?
Record-Breaking Colts Run Wild Against Titans in Week 16
The crux of the matter for the Titans was their shoddy and oftentimes abominable run defense, which allowed Jonathan Taylor to crush them. It was so historic a collapse for a unit that the Titans didn’t exist as a franchise for an opposing time to run for 300+ yards. Tennessee burst out of the gate with a 7-0 lead before superstar Jonathan Taylor took over. He included two long defense-busting runs in his 200+ yard performance.
Jonathan Taylor goes 65 yards for a TD and runs alllll the way into the tunnel WITH the ball just in case 🤣 pic.twitter.com/0RKoz5eqON
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 22, 2024
Tennessee’s run defense fits got abysmal on this run as Taylor quickly shook off Amani Hooker’s “attempt” at defending him. However, it didn’t get much better for the Titans, as they were equally poor on Taylor’s second long touchdown. Both linebacker James Williams and cornerback Daryl Worley took awful angles, allowing JT to score untouched.
Jonathan Taylor again from 70 yards out! 🔥
📺: #TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IuGb4jFfsu— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Not to be outdone by his predecessor’s meme antics, Mason Rudolph contributed by throwing this pass while recovering from an appointment with the turf. Unfortunately for Colts fans, it did not result in a comedic turnover.
Mason Rudolph just fell to his knees in the middle of the play
Still completed the pass! pic.twitter.com/eJIVoeUwhG
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 22, 2024
Rudolph didn’t help his team’s defense one iota after throwing three interceptions in the loss, one so horrific that announcers compared him to Will Levis. It wasn’t all bad for the former Steelers starter as he threw some great passes, including this dime to Calvin Ridley to open the scoring.
Gorgeous deep ball TD from Mason Rudolph to Calvin Ridley.
Brian Callahan feeling vindicated early. pic.twitter.com/yqjQSSgDVa
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) December 22, 2024
The Colts stormed to a 38-7 lead behind the timely passing of enigma Anthony Richardson and a monster JT performance. Tennessee fought back valiantly to cut it to a 38-30 final score after a picturesque touchdown by Tyjae Spears and two two-point conversions.
I was ready for Isaac Guerendo, Braelon Allen, Sincere McCormick, Zach Charbonnet, Kendre Miller, or Jerome Ford to be this year's out-of-nowhere fantasy playoff hero.
I was not prepared for Tyjae Spears to be him.pic.twitter.com/IE666hR1RS
— Scott Spratt (@Scott_Spratt) December 22, 2024
They Said What Now?
Days after benching Will Levis and moving to Rudolph, Coach Callahan sings a different tune this week. ESPN’s Turron Davenport reports that the game’s most crucial position is a “week-to-week” decision. Perhaps it is coachspeak, but Callahan cannot risk a sizeable locker room mutiny by returning to Levis. Callahan has no other option but to ride it out after coming to a fiery defense of his team last week.
Star defensive tackle and team spokesperson Jeffery Simmons self-reflects on the team’s poor run defense and credits the Colts for being efficient.
More frustration from Jeffery Simmons. pic.twitter.com/VWakXWZp5S
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 22, 2024
The Colts’ tight end Mo Alie-Cox also contributed to the postgame media scrum with this gem.
#Colts TE Mo Alie-Cox: “It’s hilarious because we went out there and they were like, ‘Oh, it’s a screen!’ And then one of the DEs was like, ‘Man, they’re about to give it to Jonathan Taylor. He ‘bout to run for 300 on us.’ … Once he said that, I was like, ‘Yeah, we got ‘em.’” 😂
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) December 22, 2024
Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will spend a lot of sleepless nights poring over why the Titans couldn’t contribute anything meaningful in run defense. Granted, Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league, but 300+ on the ground is just grievously shameful.
What’s Next in Week 17?
Both teams will close out a miserable 2024 on the final Sunday in December.
Tennessee travels to Jacksonville in an epic tank battle not seen since the days of Rommel’s Panzers and Patton’s Sherman in World War II. The Titans are in line to hold the third overall selection pending the outcomes of a couple of late-afternoon contests.
Indianapolis will go on the road against an awful Giants team that has long since been playing out the string. The Colts need to win out and get some serious help to make the postseason.
Main Image: Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
