Colts Battle Falcons in Berlin – NFL Week 10
Hello, football fans. How are you? Everything good I hope on this fine morning kickoff to week 10 coming straight outta Deutschland. Berlin's Olympic Stadium to be precise where at 9:30 AM EST and 2:30 PM GMT the powerful Indianapolis Colts (seven wins and two losses) take on the Falcons (3-5). This marks the fifth matchup played on German soil and the first in the capital city.
Pregame Key Moments
As sparkly jackets go that is an absolute belter from Katarina Witt on the coin toss. A minor slip from Sky Sports there as we hear “who won the toss?” from the presenter with an accidentally live microphone.
Well, the Colts have won the toss and have chosen to get the ball first. The Colts' offense will be setting up shortly. Will the QB bounce back after a rough one in Pittsburgh?
In a similar vein the vocalist performing the Star Spangled Banner has some of the biggest shoulder embellishments you are ever likely to see. Loving the sartorial choices today. The game is about to start after a choral number for the German anthem. Elegant.
First Quarter Gameplay
Scoreless at 13:30 in the first
And we're off! And we have an exciting start after the Colts running back catches a screen pass, sweeps out for 15 yards to the right side then fumbles … only for his center to recover the fumble with the ball retrieval. Indianapolis quickly moves into Atlanta's half.
Colts 0-0 Falcons 10:51, 1st quarter
And the excitement continues as the Indianapolis attempts a fourth-down conversion. The gamble fails to pay off as Josh Downs cannot reel in a quick pass from Jones. On the play before the turnover on downs Jessie Bates put a huge hit on the Colts' tight end. Atlanta's defense started strong as they attempt to end their string of three losses. Next up Sauce Garner’s debut!
Touchdown Recap
First score: Colts lead 6-0 at 8:36
Was that a missed touchdown by Kyle Pitts? The Falcons player makes a crucial error, he was very open but the ball just slips through his grasp. That moment reflects the high draft pick's professional journey to date.
So far, so disappointing but it only deteriorates for the Atlanta as they cough the ball back to the Indianapolis on the 23-yard mark. The Falcons quarterback is hunted down and fumbles the football.
An agile 22-yard rush from the Colts receiver sets Jonathan Taylor up to roll in for the score on the next snap. The placekicker misses the point after attempt. Mistake.
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. Drake London makes some substantial catches to put them in the red zone then the defense opens up for the running back to run untouched into the end zone through the middle of the defense for a 13-yard gain. He completes the drive for a one-yard touchdown of his own. Advantage Atlanta.
Other Week 10 Matchups
And for afters, the jumbo package starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT (home teams listed first) is as follows:
(5-4) Carolina Panthers v New Orleans Saints (1-8)
(5-3) Chicago Bears v New York Giants (2-7)
(3-5) Texans v Jaguars (5-3)
(2-7) Dolphins v Bills (6-2)
(4-4) Vikings v Ravens (3-5)
(1-7) New York Jets v Cleveland Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots (7-2)
An exciting lineup. I’m planting my flag on the Vikings and Ravens playing out the game of the day.