Guten tag, football enthusiasts. How are you? Alles klar I hope on this excellent early start to week 10 coming directly from Deutschland. Berlin's Olympic Stadium to be precise where at 8.30am CST/9.30am EST and 2.30pm GMT the mighty Colts (7-2) take on the Atlanta Falcons (three wins and five losses). This marks the fifth matchup played on German soil and the first in the capital city.
Pregame Key Moments
When it comes to glittering attire that is an absolute belter 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 commentator with an accidentally live microphone.
So, the Colts have won the toss and have chosen to get the ball first. Daniel Jones and company will be taking the field soon. Will the QB bounce back after a difficult performance in Pittsburgh?
Not to be outdone the singer belting out the Star Spangled Banner has some of the largest shoulder pads you are bound to notice. Loving the sartorial choices today. The game is about to start after a choir performance for the national anthem of Germany. Classy.
Opening Period Gameplay
Colts 0-0 Falcons 13:30, 1st quarter
And we're off! And we have an exciting start after Jonathan Taylor catches a screen pass, sweeps out for 15 yards to the right side then loses the ball … only for his offensive lineman to recover the fumble with the recovery. Indianapolis quickly moves into Atlanta's half.
Colts 0-0 Falcons 10:51, 1st quarter
And the drama keeps coming as the Indianapolis attempts a fourth-down conversion. The risk doesn't work out as the wide receiver cannot reel in a fastball from the quarterback. Prior to the failed attempt the Falcons defender put a huge hit on the Colts' tight end. The Falcons have come out fighting on defense as they attempt to end their string of three losses. Next up Sauce Garner’s debut!
Score Updates
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-0 Falcons 8:36, 1st quarter
Did Kyle Pitts just drop a touchdown? The Falcons player makes a crucial error, he was very open but the ball just slips through his grasp. That play rather sums up the first round pick’s career to date.
So far, so disappointing but it only deteriorates for the Falcons as they cough the ball back to the Colts on the 23-yard mark. The Falcons quarterback is sacked and can’t keep hold of the ball.
A nifty 22-yard run from the Colts receiver sets Jonathan Taylor up to roll in for the score on the next snap. Kicker Michael Badgley misses the point after attempt. Mistake.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-7 Falcons 6:07, 1st quarter
Penix Jr puts the fumble behind him by leading Atlanta on a long drive for a touchdown. Drake London makes some chunky receptions 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 heart of the field for a 13-yard gain. The running back finishes it off for a one-yard touchdown of his own. Advantage Atlanta.
Additional Tenth Week Matchups
And for afters, the jumbo package starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT (with home teams first) is as follows:
(5-4) Panthers v New Orleans Saints (1-8)
(5-3) Bears v New York Giants (2-7)
(3-5) Houston Texans v Jaguars (5-3)
(2-7) Dolphins v Buffalo Bills (6-2)
(4-4) Vikings v Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
(1-7) Jets v Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Patriots (7-2)
What a feast. My pick for the best game is Minnesota and Baltimore playing out the game of the day.
