Indianapolis Colts Face Falcons in German Capital – NFL Week 10
Guten tag, football enthusiasts. Wie gehts? Alles klar I trust on this fine morning kickoff to the tenth week coming directly from Deutschland. The Olympiastadion in Berlin to be exact where at 8.30am CST/9.30am EST and 2.30pm GMT the mighty Indianapolis Colts (7-2) face off against the Falcons (3-5). This marks the fifth matchup played on soil in Germany and the initial in the nation’s capital.
Pre-match Key Moments
As sparkly jackets go that is an absolute belter from Katarina Witt on the opening flip. A minor slip from Sky Sports there as we hear “which team got the coin flip?” from the presenter with an accidentally live microphone.
Well, the Colts have won the toss and have elected to receive. The Colts' offense will be taking the field soon. Can the quarterback recover after a difficult performance in their last game?
In a similar vein the vocalist performing the Star Spangled Banner has some of the largest shoulder pads you are ever likely to see. The fashion picks are impressive today. The game is about to start after a choral number for the German anthem. Classy.
First Quarter Action
Colts 0-0 Falcons 13:30, 1st quarter
Here we go! And we have early drama after Jonathan Taylor catches a screen pass, 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.
Still scoreless at 10:51
And the excitement continues as the Colts go for it on 4th down. The risk doesn't work out as Josh Downs fails to catch a fastball from the quarterback. 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 string of three losses. Next up Sauce Garner’s debut!
Score Recap
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-0 Falcons 8:36, 1st quarter
Was that a missed touchdown by Kyle Pitts? The tight end drops a clanger, he was very open but the ball just slips through his grasp. That play rather sums up the high draft pick's professional journey to date.
A disappointing start but it only deteriorates for the Atlanta as they turn over possession to the Colts on the 23-yard line. Michael Penix Jr is sacked and fumbles the football.
An agile 22-yard rush from Ashton Dulin sets the running back up to roll in for the score on the following play. Kicker Michael Badgley misses the point after attempt. Oops.
Falcons respond: 6-7 at 6:07
The quarterback recovers from the turnover by leading Atlanta on a long drive for a score of their own. The wide receiver makes some chunky receptions to put them in the red zone then the seas part for Tyler Allgeier to run untouched into the end zone through the heart of the field for 13 yards. The running back finishes it off for a one-yard touchdown of his own. Advantage Atlanta.
Other Tenth Week Games
And for afters, the full slate starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT (with home teams first) is as follows:
(5-4) Panthers v Saints (1-8)
(5-3) Bears v New York Giants (2-7)
(3-5) Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
(2-7) Dolphins v Buffalo Bills (6-2)
(4-4) Minnesota Vikings v Ravens (3-5)
(1-7) Jets v Cleveland Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Patriots (7-2)
What a feast. I’m planting my flag on Minnesota and Baltimore playing out the top contest of the day.