The Colts secure a victory before their bye week.
The Colts defeated the Falcons 31-25 in the Berlin Game.
In a Week 10 matchup in Berlin, the Indianapolis Colts bounced back from a previous defeat to improve their record to 8-2 with a 31-25 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, who now sit at 3-6. The Colts win was crucial following their disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the other hand, the Falcons experienced another defeat after their notable victory against the Buffalo Bills in Week 6.
In a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor was nothing short of great. He finished the game with 32 rushes, 244 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. After an 83-yard touchdown run earlier in the fourth quarter to give the Colts a late lead, Taylor scored a touchdown in overtime to seal the victory. Taylor’s historic day resulted in him being named in several record books. He also set a franchise record for the most rushing touchdowns in Colts history (66).
Taylor wasn’t the only Colts player to break a record during the game. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren made history by setting a record for the most receptions in a season by a rookie tight end in Colts history (50). He ended the game with 8 catches and 99 yards. Quarterback Daniel Jones contributed with 19 of 26 for 255 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, including being sacked seven times. He also made plays with his legs, which put the team in position to kick a tying field goal to force overtime.
The Falcons offense managed only 290 total yards and failed to convert any third-down attempts. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed 12 of 28 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown. Star wide receiver Drake London added 6 receptions for 104 yards. While the Falcons defense struggled to contain Jonathan Taylor, they effectively pressured Daniel Jones, sacking him seven times, which is concerning as he has been sacked 12 times over two games.
Sauce Gardner’s Debut
Sauce Gardner’s performance yielded mixed results, leading fans to question whether he was worth the trade compensation. In his inaugural game since being traded to the Colts, Gardner encountered a formidable opponent in Drake London. During a crucial moment on a 2-point conversion after running back Tyler Allgeier’s 1-yard touchdown, Gardner slipped while in coverage. This resulted in two points, giving the Falcons a late 3-point lead. Despite the setback, Gardner demonstrated his defensive skills with six tackles and a key pass breakup, which was nearly intercepted. He effectively limited London to only two catches for a total of 26 yards while defending him.