The Tennessee Titans (7-5) look like a much more put-together team than when they last faced the Indianapolis Colts (6-6) and fell 19-17 on their home turf.
That showed when they recorded a 31-17 victory on the road in Indianapolis this week. With the victory, the Titans now sit on a three-game winning streak.
Here are five standouts from the victory.
1. QB Ryan Tannehill.
Did anyone truly believe Tannehill would handle the offense as well as he has after taking Marcus Mariota’s place. He’s only lost one game as a starter for Tennessee, and the team seems to have totally turned themselves around in his presence.
Tannehill was 17-of-22 passing for 182 yards and two touchdowns — without an interception. Jacoby Brissett can hardly say the same.
2. RB Derrick Henry.
The Titans were up against a tough Colts run defense, but that didn’t get in the way of Henry.
The former Alabama standout carried 26 times for 149 yards and a score.
3. CB Tye Smith.
The Titans needed Smith to step up as they added him to the mix, and he did just that on Sunday.
Smith finished the game with seven tackles, and took a blocked field goal attempt into the end zone to give the Titans a 24-17 lead they only built on for the rest of the game.
4. S Kevin Byard.
Byard is one of the best defensive players in football, and his talents came in clutch as the momentum swung back in the Titans’ favor.
Byard had two tackles and an important interception that put the Tennessee offense back on the field. Kicker Ryan Succop tied the game at 17-17 with a field goal on the Titans’ following possession.
5. OC Arthur Smith.
Smith has caught a lot of flack, but he called a good game on Sunday. It’s clear that feeding Henry is practically always a fine option, and Smith made that a priority as the offense came alive under his play-calling.
