The Colts bested the Titans in what may have been the first interesting Thursday night game of the 2020 NFL season.
The score ping-ponged back and forth with the Titans striking first and leading 17-13 into the half. They squandered their lead quickly, however, and allowed 21 unanswered points in the second half due in part to strong performance from Colts’ rookie receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and pass-catching running back Nyheim Hines. Rookie Jonathan Taylor disappointed once again out of the Indianapolis backfield.
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill struggled against a strong Colts’ defense and was bested by Philip Rivers, who passed for 300 yards for the third time this year. The AFC South matchup ended 34-17, as the Colts (6-3) slide into first place in the division ahead of the Titans (6-3).
Here are six things you need to know for fantasy football:
1. Jonathan Taylor flops again; Nyheim Hines scores twice
Taylor’s stock continues to plummet after a disappointing night amid a disappointing season. The Wisconsin rookie, who was expected to be the feature back once Marlon Mack was knocked out for the year, saw just seven carries for 12 yards and caught two passes for 15 yards and ranked fourth in rushing for the Colts. His touches have been declining since Week 2 and may continue to do so if he keeps posting 1.7 yards per carry games. He is a high-end flex moving forward.
Hines posted his third two-touchdown game this season and was effective both on the ground and through the air. He saw 12 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown and caught five of six targets for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Behind Hines were Jordan Wilkins, Pittman and Taylor. Wilkins had eight carries for 28 yards and Pittman had one carry for 21 yards. Hines is an interesting flex play, especially in PPR formats.
2. Michael Pittman Jr. shines ahead of T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal
The rookie led the Colts in receiving on Thursday night and caught seven of eight targets for 101 yards. He also saw a rush for 21 yards. He did not score a touchdown and was vultured on a goal-line carry from backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett late in the game.
Hilton caught four of five targets for 40 yards and Pascal caught four of five targets for 33 yards. Hilton hasn’t scored all season and continues to be a disappointment for fantasy managers.
Pittman underwent calf surgery after suffering a scary injury against the Jets in Week 3 that caused compartment syndrome to develop, which can be life-threatening. He is emerging as the Colts’ top receiver and should be rostered in all leagues moving forward.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.Getty Images3. Ryan Tannehill struggles for second week in a row
Tannehill began the season hot and posted three top-eight finishes in his first five games. He has struggled of late, however, and completed 15 of 27 attempts for 147 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions in Thursday night’s loss. It is the Titans’ second game in a difficult four-game stretch against top-notch defenses. Expect Tannehill’s struggles to continue into Weeks 11 and 12 on the road against Baltimore and Indianapolis again.
4. Derrick Henry posts fifth 100-yard game
The former Crimson Tide rusher saw 19 attempts for 103 yards and caught a pass for six yards. It’s been an up-and-down season for Henry, who has posted a top 12 finish four times in nine games.
Henry did not score a touchdown, and the lone running back to make an end zone trip was D’Onta Foreman, who scored on a first-and-goal attempt on the Titans’ first drive.
Henry remains a low-end RB1 moving forward, but could be stymied next week in Baltimore against the Ravens’ top-notch run defense.
5. A.J. Brown held to one catch after costly early drop; Corey Davis leads team in receiving
Brown caught one pass for 21 yards on a season-low four targets, all of which came in the first half of Thursday night’s game. He dropped an easily catchable deep pass early in the first quarter, and was not heard from after. He did not score for the first time in six games.
Davis — whose brother tragically passed away ahead of the game — posted a solid night and caught five of six passes for 67 yards.
The matchup was tough, but Brown performed well in Week 9 against the Bears and picked up 101 yards and a touchdown. He will face another difficult opponent in Week 11 in Baltimore.
6. Jonnu Smith scores rushing touchdown to salvage night
Smith saw six targets after seeing a declining target share over the past four weeks. He caught just two passes for 14 yards, but salvaged the evening on a one-yard goal-line rush late towards the end of the second quarter. He remains a touchdown-dependent, boom-or-bust play.
