Guten tag, football fans. How are you? Alles klar I trust on this fine early start to week 10 coming directly from Germany. The Olympiastadion in Berlin to be exact where at 8.30am CST/9.30am EST and 2.30pm GMT the powerful Colts (7-2) face off against the Atlanta Falcons (three wins and five losses). The fifth game played on soil in Germany and the initial in the capital city.
Pregame Key Moments
When it comes to glittering attire that is an real standout from Katarina Witt on the opening flip. A minor slip from Sky Sports there as we hear “who won the toss?” from the presenter with an accidentally live microphone.
So, the coin toss went to Indianapolis and have elected to receive. The Colts' offense will be taking the field soon. Will the QB bounce back after a difficult performance in Pittsburgh?
In a similar vein the singer belting out the US national anthem has some of the biggest shoulder embellishments you are ever likely to see. Loving the sartorial choices today. We are almost underway after a choir performance for the German anthem. Classy.
Opening Period Action
Scoreless at 13:30 in the first
And we're off! And we have an exciting start after Jonathan Taylor receives a short throw, gains 15 yards on the outside to the right side then loses the ball … only for his offensive lineman to recover the fumble with the ball retrieval. Colts are in Falcons territory already.
Still scoreless at 10:51
And the drama keeps coming as the Colts go for it on 4th down. The risk doesn't work out as Josh Downs cannot reel in a quick pass from the quarterback. Prior to the failed attempt Jessie Bates put a massive tackle on the Colts' tight end. Atlanta's defense started strong as they attempt to end their three-game losing streak. Next up Sauce Garner’s debut!
Score Updates
First score: Colts lead 6-0 at 8:36
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 moment reflects the high draft pick's professional journey to date.
A disappointing start but it only gets worse for the Falcons as they turn over possession to the Colts on the 23-yard line. The Falcons quarterback is hunted down and fumbles the football.
A nifty 22-yard run from Ashton Dulin sets Jonathan Taylor up to easily run for a touchdown on the following play. The placekicker misses the point after attempt. Oops.
Falcons respond: 6-7 at 6:07
The quarterback recovers from the turnover by marching his Falcons down the field for a score of their own. The wide receiver makes some substantial catches to put them in the red zone then the seas part for the running back to saunter on to the goal line through the middle of the defense for 13 yards. The running back finishes it off for a short scoring run of his own. The Falcons take the lead.
Other Tenth Week Games
And for afters, the full slate starting at 1 PM EST and 6 PM GMT (with home teams first) is as follows:
(5-4) Carolina Panthers v New Orleans Saints (1-8)
(5-3) Bears v Giants (2-7)
(3-5) Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
(2-7) Dolphins v Bills (6-2)
(4-4) Minnesota Vikings v Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
(1-7) Jets v Cleveland Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots (7-2)
What a feast. My pick for the best game is the Vikings and Ravens playing out the top contest of the day.
