KW's Take on the big game

For what it's worth:

1. I don't think we can take all credit away from the Colts D. Granted, they don't deserve much credit...but they did make a bunch of key/big stops when they mattered. We can say they knew what the Titans were calling, but they still had to make the stop. Consider this: Chris Brown rushed for 152 yards on first and second-down carries. He rushed for a big fat zero yards on third or fourth down carries. That tells me that the Colts D at least gets a little credit for stepping up on the big downs.
2. I think Chris is right on, at least regarding the Titan's need for play-action. Why bother running your back for that many yards if you're never going to use it to set up the pass?! Makes no sense. And I also think he's right on about Peyton's use of it. The Colts absolutely thrive on the play-action, and do quite well since Peyton has really no equal in the NFL for his ability to fake. Maybe McNair sucks at faking the handoff. It's possible.
3. The Titans definitely did more wrong than the Colts D did right, that's for sure. But let's not ignore the fabulous interception by Nick Harper. If you saw that...you have to give him credit. He made a huge play to stop a touchdown and get a turnover when the game was dead-even at 17-all.
4. Credit the Colts Offensive line, and discredit the Titans Defensive line...but there was virtually no penetration by the Titan's D line. No sacks I don't think. Hardly any "rushes" or "pressures" for them either. Jevon Kearse anyone? Maybe. Hall made some really nice plays, and Kevin Carter came up big a couple times. But Peyton had all day back there. And you can't give that guy that much time.
5. Also regarding the Titan's D: First time since 2000 that an opposing team has had over 100 yards rushing in the Colosium. Last year's best team at stopping the run isn't quite as good this year at doing that. Not an omen, or anything like that....but a key point.
6. Regarding the whole emotion thing. I still think it played a part. See, I don't think the Colts won because of it...but I think the Titans got frustrated. I think the Colts stayed calm. Which emotions or where they came from (not wanting to go 0-2, revenge, whatever) doesn't matter. But emotion is a card that matters in these NFL games. I just don't think it can be predicted. It's much more of a "hindsight" kind of thing.
7. I know the big stops on fourth downs stopped Titans' drives that were looking good. And it's easy to assume they'd have scored and the game would have been closer had those fourth downs been converted. But.....let's again remember the big Harper interception (McNair even says Harper made a big play, so does Mason) and also the big misses by the Titans earlier (Drew Bennett dropping a ball in the endzone? Gotta catch it, and Bennett said so in the paper today too). So there's no givens in football. Just like last week, when I wanted to believe the Colts would have won had they not fumbled twice or had the interception...there's still no guarantee. Patriots might have made a big stop. You never know. Colts certainly made many big stops, so who's to say they wouldn't have done it again? Or who's to say the Titan's scoring more wouldn't have led to even more big plays by Peyton to keep it close? Just because they moved the ball well, owned the clock, and dominated with their first/second-down running game doesn't mean they dominated in converting all game.
8. Ball control/Time of possession is usually a good indicator, but not always. That's especially true when the Colts are playing, because their offense is so potent that they often score quickly, not possessing the ball long at all. Titans obviously had chances to maintain control of the game. But they didn't.
9. Remember that game a couple years ago when they ran the QB sneak on the one yard line and there was a confusing flag thrown, and the refs called a do-over. What did the Titans do? Same exact play. Was it stopped this time? Yes. Yes it was. They have had this problem of being predictable on short-yardage and fourth-downs for quite some time.
10. I loved that game. It was exciting. Had lead changes. Had big plays. And proved that Edge and Brown are two stud runners. Titans don't need to panic yet. They get Calico back soon and that should help. But heed the advice of Chris, oh Jeff Fisher, and implement a play-action ASAP. Otherwise, you might as well just tell the other team your call at the line before the snap.