Indianapolis Colts Battle Falcons in Berlin – NFL Week 10
Guten tag, fussball enthusiasts. Wie gehts? Alles klar I trust on this excellent early start to week 10 coming directly from Germany. The Olympiastadion in Berlin to be precise where at 8.30am CST/9.30am EST and 2.30pm GMT the powerful Indianapolis Colts (seven wins and two losses) face off against the Atlanta Falcons (three wins and five losses). The fifth game played on soil in Germany and the initial in the nation’s capital.
Pregame Highlights
As sparkly jackets go that is an real standout from the Olympic figure skater on the coin toss. A slight fluff from Sky Sports there as we hear “which team got the coin flip?” from the presenter with an accidentally live microphone.
So, the Colts have won the toss and have elected to receive. Daniel Jones and company will be setting up shortly. Can the quarterback recover after a rough one in their last game?
In a similar vein the vocalist performing the Star Spangled Banner has some of the biggest shoulder embellishments you are ever likely to see. The fashion picks are impressive today. We are almost underway after a choral number for the national anthem of Germany. Elegant.
Opening Period Action
Colts 0-0 Falcons 13:30, 1st quarter
Here we go! And we have an exciting start after the Colts running back receives a short throw, sweeps out for 15 yards to the right side then fumbles … only for his center to save his bacon 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 Colts go for it on 4th down. The gamble fails to pay off as the wide receiver fails to catch a fastball from the quarterback. Prior to the failed attempt the Falcons defender put a massive tackle on the Colts' tight end. Atlanta's defense started strong as they try and snap their string of three losses. Following that, Sauce Gardner makes his first appearance!
Score Recap
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 play rather sums up the high draft pick's professional journey to date.
A disappointing start but it only gets worse for the Falcons as they cough the ball back to the Indianapolis on the 23-yard line. Michael Penix Jr is sacked and can’t keep hold of the ball.
A nifty 22-yard run from Ashton Dulin sets the running back up to easily run for a touchdown on the following play. The placekicker skews the extra point wide. Mistake.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-7 Falcons 6:07, 1st quarter
The quarterback recovers from the turnover by leading Atlanta on a long drive for a touchdown. The wide receiver makes some substantial catches to put them in the scoring area 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.
Additional Tenth Week Games
Additionally, the jumbo package starting at 1 PM EST and 6 PM GMT (with home teams first) is as follows:
(5-4) Panthers v Saints (1-8)
(5-3) Chicago Bears v New York 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) New York Jets v Cleveland Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots (7-2)
An exciting lineup. My pick for the best game is the Vikings and Ravens playing out the top contest of the day.