Colts 31 Titans 17.

Let me tell you, after 15 minutes of football the likelihood of that score was beyond imagination. But the Colts didn’t give up and after an inspired second half of football that is exactly what was on the scoreboard when it was over.

For years I have been super critical of MLB Rob Morris, but yesterday he actually played pretty well. I just want to make sure I give him a shout out. Hopefully it won’t be the last, but you never know.

It really was a tale of two games. The Colts did nothing in the first half. They could not stop McNair or rookie RB Chris Brown who had more than a hundred yards in the first half. Peyton threw some questionable balls and even Marvin got in on the act by fumbling away the ball. Edge was going nowhere up the middle and even a flea flicker turned into a sack.

Actually the Titans were the only thing stopping the Titans. One questionable play call was a fourth and one. Previously they had made it when McNair snuck through for the first. For some reason they gave the ball to Brown who came up short. I mean it’s hard to say Brown wasn’t a good choice, but when you were successful before, stay with what you know works.

The Colts had to feel good about their chances going to the locker room at the half only down 7.

They got the ball to start the second half and drove right down the field to tie the score. Unfortunately they let the Titans do the same thing. However, that is where the Titans stopped scoring. The Colts meanwhile put on an offensive clinic, dissecting the Titan D repeatedly. The Titans helped by being whistled for penalty after penalty. They tried the old Miami mantra that they would hold every play and make the refs call them. The refs did. And when the Titans tried to play clean they were no match for Peyton, Marvin, Brandon, Marcus and stately Wayne manor. Then in the fourth Edge took over and ran for two TD’s. Edge ended up with 124 yards on the day and is now in second place in the NFL standings for rushing with 266 total yards.

There was a little bit of controversy which has the Titans fans crying this morning. On a pass play to the one, McNair hit receiver Eddie Berlin at the one where he appeared to be forced out by the Colts. The replay however showed Berlin juggling the ball-well it really didn’t but they said it did-as he was landing. The catch was nullified. It would have given the Titans a first and goal at the one with 27 seconds left. Instead it was second and 10 at the 30 with 37 seconds. On the next play Brad Scioli chased down McNair causing a fumble. Robert Mathis picked it up and rambled down the field for 40 yards sealing the victory.

The Colts D also came up big in the second half. While driving, Nick Harper picked off McNair in the end zone practically wrestling the ball away from the Titan receiver. They also had another crucial fourth down stop and when the Titans tried a fake punt it was snuffed out for a minor gain.

The Colts looked good yesterday, but certainly not great. I would give them a B for the day, but it is so frustrating to watch the D play so shitty in the early parts of games. Granted this Chris Brown is the real deal and McNair has a lot of receiving options at his disposal, but we just give up that 7-8 yards all of the time and it has to stop.

Aha Green, Brett Favre and the Packers are next. It is the home opener for the Colts and the Packers are coming off a pitiful performance and loss to the Chicago Bears at Lambeau field. Stay tuned for more about them later this week.

Here is my Monday morning top 5 teams:

1. New England-Played down to Cardinals level Sunday, but got on it when it counted.
2. Indianapolis-See above.
3. NY Jets-Pennington and Co. are looking good, but opponents haven’t been too taxing.
4. Jacksonville-Win over Broncos impressive.
5. Seattle-Rugged game v. Tampa Bay, but a win on the road is always a plus.