Colts Battle Falcons in Berlin – NFL Week 10
Hello, football enthusiasts. How are you? Alles klar I trust on this fine early start to the tenth week coming directly from Germany. Berlin's Olympic Stadium to be precise where at 8.30am CST/9.30am EST and 2.30pm GMT the mighty Indianapolis Colts (seven wins and two losses) take on the Atlanta Falcons (3-5). The fifth game played on soil in Germany and the initial in the capital city.
Pre-match Highlights
As sparkly jackets go that is an absolute belter from Katarina Witt on the opening flip. A slight fluff from the broadcast team there as we hear “which team got the coin flip?” from the presenter with an unfortunately hot mic.
So, the coin toss went to Indianapolis and have elected to receive. Daniel Jones and company will be setting up shortly. Will the QB bounce back after a difficult performance in Pittsburgh?
In a similar vein the vocalist performing the US national anthem has some of the largest shoulder pads you are bound to notice. Loving the sartorial choices today. We are almost underway after a choral number for the national anthem of Germany. Elegant.
Opening Period Gameplay
Scoreless at 13:30 in the first
Here we go! And we have early drama after Jonathan Taylor receives a short throw, gains 15 yards on the outside to the right then fumbles … only for his offensive lineman to recover the fumble with the recovery. Colts are in Falcons territory already.
Colts 0-0 Falcons 10:51, 1st quarter
And the excitement continues as the Indianapolis attempts a fourth-down conversion. The risk doesn't work out as Josh Downs cannot reel in a quick pass from Jones. On the play before the turnover on downs Jessie Bates put a massive tackle on the Colts' tight end. The Falcons have come out fighting on defense as they try and snap their three-game losing streak. Next up Sauce Garner’s debut!
Touchdown Recap
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-0 Falcons 8:36, 1st quarter
Did Kyle Pitts just drop a touchdown? The tight end drops a clanger, he was wide open but the ball just swishes through his hands. That play rather sums up the high draft pick's professional journey to date.
A disappointing start but it only deteriorates for the Falcons as they turn over possession to the Colts on the 23-yard line. Michael Penix Jr is hunted down and fumbles the football.
A nifty 22-yard run from the Colts receiver sets Jonathan Taylor up to roll in for the score on the next snap. The placekicker misses the point after attempt. Oops.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-7 Falcons 6:07, 1st quarter
Penix Jr puts the fumble behind him by leading Atlanta on a long drive for a touchdown. The wide receiver makes some chunky receptions to put them in the red zone then the defense opens up for the running back to run untouched into the end zone through the middle of the defense for 13 yards. He completes the drive for a one-yard touchdown of his own. The Falcons take the lead.
Other Tenth Week Games
Additionally, the jumbo package starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT (home teams listed first) is as follows:
(5-4) Panthers v New Orleans Saints (1-8)
(5-3) Chicago Bears v Giants (2-7)
(3-5) Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
(2-7) Miami Dolphins v Bills (6-2)
(4-4) Vikings v Ravens (3-5)
(1-7) New York Jets v Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots (7-2)
An exciting lineup. I’m planting my flag on Minnesota and Baltimore playing out the game of the day.