Jeffery Simmons wrecked Indianapolis’ afternoon as the Tennessee Titans rallied from a 13-0 halftime hole to beat the Colts 26-20 at Lucas Oil Stadium. With the win, the Titans avoided a 0-6 start.
Tennessee’s offense had three first downs and 64 yards at the half. Over the 60 minutes, though, the defense forced three turnovers and posted six sacks. Femi Oladejo returned a blocked punt 14 yards for a touchdown. Joey Slye made all four field goals.
Brian Daboll was bailed out. Big time.
It was also Robert Saleh’s first win as Titans head coach, three weeks after his 0-3 start came with an uncomfortable piece of history.
“We’d been close on a few occasions, and to knock this one out for them, I am much more excited for them than for myself,” Saleh said after the game.
Here’s who climbed and who slipped in Indy.
Rising: Jeffery Simmons
Simmons had six tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, the first NFL defensive tackle to do all of that in one game since 2020.
PFF credited him with seven pressures.
We wrote this week that his top-six PFF grade would be a problem for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, and wouldn’t you know it, Simmons stripped Taylor and recovered it at the Indianapolis 33 in the third quarter.
“When you do your job and you’re not chasing, you’re not trying to chase plays and make things up, the ball will find you,” Simmons said after the game.
His 46.5 career sacks passed Ted Washington for 10th in franchise history, and he looks ready to keep climbing.
Falling: Cam Ward
Ward completed 11-of-22 passes for 102 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.
Tennessee finished with 186 yards, went 3-of-10 on third down, and was outgained by 213 yards. We’ve argued the offense is a Daboll problem first, but Ward wears it too.
“It is not all on the quarterback, but he is the face of the offense and he has to play at a higher level,” Saleh said Monday.
He wasn’t sacked once, and he still has to turn clean pockets into yards.
Rising: Amani Hooker
Hooker missed Week 5 with a concussion and returned with a career-high 13 tackles and a first-quarter interception.
His 86.3 grade led the defense, according to PFF, and he didn’t miss a tackle.
“He’s an elite communicator and he executes his technique at a very high level,” Saleh told reporters Monday.
Tennessee’s secondary looks sturdier with Hooker back in the lineup.
Rising: Carnell Tate
Tate caught six of his seven targets for 70 yards. His 8-yard grab tied the game at 13 for his first career touchdown.
His 82.3 PFF grade was the best on Tennessee’s offense.
“It felt good, to go out there and finally get a touchdown,” Tate said after the win.
He already climbed to No. 3 in NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein’s offensive rookie rankings.
Ward should keep feeding him.
Falling: Atonio Mafi
Tony Pollard ran for a season-high 76 yards on 19 carries, but the interior didn’t help much.
PFF gave Mafi a 44.7 run-blocking grade, with center Austin Schlottmann getting a 44.9.
Before the game, we noted Schlottmann and Mafi may need to team up on DeForest Buckner. Buckner had two pressures, per PFF, but the run push never showed.
Tackles Dan Moore Jr. and JC Latham both graded above 74.
The middle has to catch up, and quickly.
Rising: Cor’Dale Flott
Flott picked off Daniel Jones at the Tennessee 11-yard line in the second half for his first interception of 2026. Jones threw 42 times, and Flott allowed two catches on three targets, according to PFF.
His 77.7 grade came with Alontae Taylor inactive. Saleh wouldn’t say why Taylor sat.
Whatever happens with Taylor, Flott looked like a corner the Titans can lean on.
Rising: Jermaine Johnson II
Johnson matched his career high with two sacks, and Saleh said he “had his best game by far.”
“For us to be rewarded after starting 0 and 5, it feels great,” Johnson said after the game.
He’s already among the pass-rushers contenders will call about, and every sack makes him more valuable whether Tennessee keeps him or deals him.
