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Titans at Colts: 3 things we learned

By Russell S. Baxter

Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) celebrates his touchdown in the first half of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) celebrates his touchdown in the first half of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts continued their recent dominance of the Tennessee Titans via a 24-17 victory. Here are three takeaways from that contest.

Look who is once again in the thick of things in the AFC South. The Indianapolis Colts completed their latest season sweep of the Tennessee Titans by holding on for a hard-earned 24-17 victory.

Chuck Pagano’s team raised its record to 5-5 and are right on the heels of the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, the Titans squandered another attempt to get above the .500 mark this year.

So what did we learn about these long-time divisional rivals?

1. Titans not quite ready yet

A few weeks ago, Mike Mularkey’s young team hit the road and made too many mistakes in a 43-35 loss to the San Diego Chargers. That would have put the Titans above .500. After rolling the Green Bay Packers last Sunday at Nashville, Tennessee was primed to double its win total from a year ago. But Mularkey’s club again dug a big hole and it was too little too late for this up-and-coming club.

2. Andrew Luck’s hot hand

He still has the occasional issues when it comes to turnovers. But Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was masterful in leading his team to a 21-0 second-quarter lead. One play that comes to mind was a short throw to running back Frank Gore. It began as a trick play with Gore eventually lateralling back to the quarterback. Luck glared downfield and as the Tennessee defense followed his moves, his dump-off toss to the veteran back would gain 49 yards. The fifth-year pro finished with 262 yards and two scores through the air with one interception.

More fansided.com: NFL power rankings, Week 11: Titans rise, Packers tumble

3. Colts defense bends but doesn’t break

Chuck Pagano’s defense is far from a world beater. But it did what it had to on Sunday despite giving up 371 total yards to the Titans. The Colts racked up five sacks of Marcus Mariota and held Tennessee to only 97 yards on the ground. But the figures that jump out was how Pagano’s team prevented their foes from sustaining drives most of the afternoon. Indianapolis defenders limited Tennessee on 5-of-14 on third down conversions and 1-of-3 on fourth down.

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