Colts Take On Atlanta Falcons in Berlin – NFL Week 10
Guten tag, football enthusiasts. How are you? Everything good I hope on this fine morning kickoff to week 10 coming directly from Germany. The Olympiastadion in Berlin to be precise where at 9:30 AM EST and 2:30 PM GMT the mighty Colts (seven wins and two losses) face off against the Atlanta Falcons (3-5). This marks the fifth matchup played on German soil and the first in the nation’s capital.
Pregame Key Moments
As sparkly jackets go that is an real standout from Katarina Witt 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.
Well, the coin toss went to Indianapolis and have elected to receive. The Colts' offense will be setting up shortly. Can the quarterback recover after a difficult performance in Pittsburgh?
In a similar vein the vocalist performing the Star Spangled Banner has some of the largest shoulder pads 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.
First Quarter 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 then loses the ball … only for his offensive lineman to recover the fumble with the recovery. Colts are in Falcons territory already.
Still scoreless at 10:51
And the excitement continues as the Indianapolis attempts a fourth-down conversion. The risk doesn't work out as the wide receiver fails to catch a quick pass from Jones. On the play before the turnover on downs the Falcons defender put a massive tackle on tight end Mo Alie-Cox. Atlanta's defense started strong as they attempt to end their three-game losing streak. Next up Sauce Garner’s debut!
Touchdown Recap
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-0 Falcons 8:36, 1st quarter
Was that a missed touchdown by Kyle Pitts? The tight end drops a clanger, he was wide open but the ball just swishes through his hands. That moment reflects the first round pick’s career to date.
So far, so disappointing but it only gets worse for the Atlanta as they cough the ball back to the Colts on the 23-yard line. Michael Penix Jr is sacked and fumbles the football.
A nifty 22-yard run from the Colts receiver sets the running back up to easily run for a touchdown on the following play. The placekicker skews the extra point wide. Oops.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-7 Falcons 6:07, 1st quarter
Penix Jr puts the fumble behind him 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 defense opens up for Tyler Allgeier to saunter on to the goal line through the heart of the field for 13 yards. He completes the drive for a short scoring run of his own. The Falcons take the lead.
Additional Tenth Week Matchups
Additionally, the jumbo package starting at 1 PM EST and 6 PM GMT (with home teams first) is as follows:
(5-4) Carolina Panthers v Saints (1-8)
(5-3) Bears v Giants (2-7)
(3-5) Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
(2-7) Miami Dolphins v Buffalo Bills (6-2)
(4-4) Vikings v Ravens (3-5)
(1-7) New York Jets v Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Buccaneers v Patriots (7-2)
What a feast. My pick for the best game is the Vikings and Ravens playing out the game of the day.