Jonathan Taylor’s Three Touchdowns Lead Colts to 41–20 Rout Over Winless Titans

George Walker IV/AP

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Indianapolis Colts’ impressive early-season form continued Sunday with a commanding 41–20 victory over the struggling Tennessee Titans. Running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Colts improve to 3–0 for the first time since their 2009 AFC Championship run under Peyton Manning.

The Colts seized control early and never looked back. Cornerback Kenny Moore intercepted rookie quarterback Cam Ward on Tennessee’s third offensive play and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. Indianapolis led 17–3 after the first quarter and dominated the Titans in all phases of the game, outgaining them 145–34 in the opening period alone. Michael Pittman Jr., who caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Jones, said he and his teammates sensed Tennessee’s lack of energy during pregame introductions. “We’re like, ‘They don’t want to play today,’” said Pittman. “I think that’s how we found our edge today—just mentally, we thought we wanted to play more than they did.” Daniel Jones, now 3–0 as Indianapolis’ starter, finished with 228 passing yards and one touchdown, and has yet to throw an interception this season. His three wins with the Colts match his total across his last 16 starts with the New York Giants.

The Titans, meanwhile, dropped to 0–3 and have now lost nine straight games dating back to the 2024 season. Rookie Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft, completed 219 passing yards and a touchdown but also threw his first interception of the season on that early pick-6 to Moore.Ward acknowledged the fans’ frustration after they booed the Titans during a halftime ceremony. “If I was them, I’d be mad too,” said the rookie quarterback.

Tennessee’s offensive line was without starters JC Latham and Kevin Zeitler, and the protection woes were evident. Tyquan Lewis recorded two of Indianapolis' four sacks as the Colts' defense pressured Ward consistently. Indianapolis also ended an unusual streak, as punter Rigoberto Sanchez saw the field for the first time this season with 9:19 left in the second quarter. “We all were on the headsets like, we punted, shoot!’” said head coach Shane Steichen. “Because we thought we had the penalty. And then we had to punt there.”

Despite a 64-yard field goal attempt by Joey Slye that went wide right and a missed 36-yard try by Spencer Shrader, Indianapolis maintained a strong lead heading into halftime at 20–6. Taylor’s 46-yard touchdown run in the third quarter put the Colts ahead 34–20 and sealed the game’s outcome.

The Titans found some rhythm in the second half, with Ward leading two long scoring drives—one ending in a Tony Pollard 1-yard touchdown run, and the other in an 8-yard touchdown pass to Elic Ayomanor—but it was too late to mount a serious comeback. Injuries hit the Colts in the second half. Wide receiver Alec Pierce was ruled out with a concussion, Charvarius Ward Sr. exited in the fourth quarter after returning from concussion protocol the day prior, and Kenny Moore left with a calf injury.With the win, the Colts remain the only undefeated team in the AFC South, a division they haven’t won since 2014. They’ll travel to face the Los Angeles Rams next week. The Titans, still seeking their first win, begin a three-game road trip starting in Houston.