INDIANAPOLIS – The Titans changed quarterbacks on Sunday.
It didn't change their fortune.
A decent start evaporated into a disappointing finish here against the Colts, a game that ended in a 38-30 loss at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"Guys fought, kept swinging at it," Coach Brian Callahan said after the game. "I appreciate the effort and the fight. Ultimately, it wasn't enough. There were too many things we didn't do well enough all the way around, myself included.
"I'm disappointed all the way around, with the final outcome."
After the Titans jumped ahead by an early touchdown, The Colts scored 38 consecutive points from the second quarter to the third quarter to take control of the game.
The Titans added 23 consecutive points on three scores of their own to make it interesting late, but it wasn't enough.
In the process, the Titans dropped to 3-12.
"I would hope this bothers everybody in this locker room," defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said after the game. "Being 3 and 12, I didn't expect this. Coming out of camp, I felt like we had a great camp. I didn't expect this.
"… Right now, we are building for next year. If I see guys want to quit, I don't want to be your teammate. The way we fought at the end of the game … we had a chance to win the game. It's tough, but we have to keep fighting and finish this season strong."
Mason Rudolph started at quarterback for the Titans, and he looked sharp early, completing his first eight passes, including a 38-yard touchdown pass to receiver Calvin Ridley to give the team a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Titans looked like they might extend the lead, after safety Amani Hooker intercepted Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. But that drive ended with a missed field goal from 53 yards by Brayden Narveson, who kicked in place of an injured Nick Folk.
Then things took an ugly turn.
Running back Tony Pollard eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season in the contest, and he finished the day with 35 yards. Running back Tyjae Spears scored two more touchdowns for the Titans.
But on this day, there was little that went right in the middle portion of the game, and it came back to haunt the Titans.
"They scored 14 points off of (interceptions), and that's on me," Rudolph said. "I put our team in a bad spot, and that can't happen. That's not winning football."
The Colts ran for 335 yards in the contest. It was the most in the Titans era (since 1999), and the second-worst run defense performance in franchise history. The Colts racked up 458 yards of offense against the Titans.
After first scoring on a five-yard touchdown run by Richardson with 11:01 left in the second quarter, the Colts made it 14-7 on a 65-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor, who took a handoff and raced past defenders into the end zone.
The Colts then extended their lead to 17-7 at the 2:09 mark of the second quarter on a 31-yard field goal by kicker Matt Gay, and later in the second quarter they scored on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Richardson to receiver Josh Downs to make it 24-7 at the half.
The second half started even worse, as Taylor scampered 70 yards on the first play after the break to make it 31-7.
Another touchdown run by Taylor, this one from the one-yard line, made it 38-7 midway through the third quarter.
The Titans added three scores late.
An 11-yard touchdown run by Spears, followed by a two-point run by Pollard, made it 38-15 with 2:57 left in the third quarter.
A six-yard touchdown pass from Rudolph to receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine with 8:13 left made it 38-22.
Spears then added another touchdown, this one from two yards out, and another two-point conversion made it 38-30 with 2:53 remaining. The Titans didn't get the ball back until there were just a few ticks left on the clock.
Taylor ran for 218 yards in the contest, while Richardson added 70 more.
Rudolph, who started in place of Will Levis, finished the day 23-of-33 for 252 yards in the contest, with two touchdowns and three interceptions, including one on the final play of the game.
The Titans return to action next Sunday against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Colts in Week 16 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
