Titans report card: How we graded Tennessee in win over Colts

It came down to the final seconds, but the Tennessee Titans finally broke into the win column with an unlikely 26-20 come-from-behind win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6.

After a sluggish first half where nothing appeared to go for the Titans, Jeffery Simmons and the defense came alive, the special teams stepped up, and Cam Ward and the offense did just enough to lead Tennessee to the win.

Down 13-0 at halftime, the inspired Titans scored the next 20 points and held on at the end as Daniel Jones’ Hail Mary fell incomplete as time expired. It was a huge win for Tennessee and gave the team the first “Victory Monday” of the season.

Before we get started on Week 7, here’s a quick report card on how the Titans fared against the Colts in Week 6.

Offense: C-

The Titans struggled with consistency the entire game and laid a complete egg in the first half. Cam Ward was shaky and seemed out of sync with his receivers most of the game, though his chemistry with rookie Carnell Tate was apparent. Tate again asserted himself as the Titans' top receiver and scored his first NFL touchdown to help bring the Titans back, but the passing game remains a concern. Tony Pollard was solid and led Tennessee in rushing, but the offense still lacks an identity and has room for improvement.

Defense: B+

Make no mistake, the Titans’ defense willed this team to victory on Sunday. Jeffery Simmons, Jermaine Johnson, and the defensive front pressured all game, forcing three turnovers and six sacks. Without Alontae Taylor at cornerback, the Titans’ secondary held its own and made plays. Like the offense, the defense still has room to grow, but this was an outstanding performance and a building block moving forward.

Special teams: A

This group looked more like the group many expected to see entering the season. Returner Chimere Dike looked like his All-Pro self, with a 60-yard punt return that set up a score, and James Williams came up with a game-changing punt block that Femi Oladejo turned into a touchdown.

It was a solid outing, but there are still things to clean up. Joey Slye made all his, but he was still shaky on kickoffs, and too many penalties hurt field position in the return game.

Coaching: B

The Titans did enough to win and, at times, looked like the better team in two phases: defense and special teams. Robert Saleh and Gus Bradley called a solid game, put the players in position to succeed, and John “Bones” Fassel made the right special-teams calls.

Unfortunately, Brian Daboll and the offense appeared to take another step back. The first half was conservative and predictable, and the Colts controlled the tempo; the second half was a touch better, but it was still a struggle, and Tennessee was lucky to pull out a win.

Cam Ward clearly isn't comfortable in the system; the running game sputters, and Daboll has basically phased Gunnar Helm out of the offense. This unit was better in 2025, and every week Daboll looks like a terrible hire.