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Colts at Titans Week 7: 3 things we learned

By Russell S. Baxter

Oct 23, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) runs after a reception during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) runs after a reception during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts made it 10 straight wins over the Tennessee Titans. Here are three takeaways from that contest.

The Indianapolis Colts were in danger of possibly falling out of the AFC South race if they couldn’t beat the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. A defeat would have dropped Chuck Pagano’s team to 0-3 in the division and 2-5 overall.

But Andrew Luck played a solid overall game and wouldn’t let his team fall apart in a crucial 34-26 win.

So what did we learn about both the Colts and the Titans? It was a very interesting afternoon for both clubs.

1. Colts show they can close the deal

You don’t have to remind Chuck Pagano about his team’s fourth-quarter issues this season. They were on primetime display last Sunday night as the Colts squandered a 23-9 advantage in the closing seconds and lost at Houston in overtime (26-23).

Up 17-6 in the second quarter, Indianapolis watched the Titans take a three-point lead with 6:02 to play. But Andrew Luck led his team on a 70-yard touchdown drive and linebacker Robert Mathis scored on a Marcus Mariota fumble return to spearhead the win.

2. Jack Doyle has been a big-time find

No more Coby Fleener. Dwayne Allen out with an ankle injury. All the more reason to lean on tight end Jack Doyle a little more.

On Sunday, he totaled nine receptions on the 10 times he was thrown the ball. It added up to 78 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Doyle has been target 33 times this season and totaled an amazing 29 catches for 282 yards and four touchdowns. Those are some pretty impressive figures.

More fansided.com: NFL Power Rankings Week 7

3. Marcus Mariota and his costly mistakes

The Titans second-year signal-caller continues to make strides and the Tennessee offense is making big-time strides on a weekly basis. With two scores on Sunday, Mariota has thrown multiple touchdown passes in three consecutive games.

Despite the fact that he was not picked off, he fumbled twice and one was returned for a touchdown to give the Colts a 34-23 lead late in the game. The talented signal-caller has now committed nine turnovers in seven games, three of which have been returned for scores.

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