Titans turn two special-teams swings into first win, rally past Colts 26-20

Tennessee needed a long punt return and a blocked punt to get its first win of the season. Once those plays put the Titans ahead, Joey Slye supplied two late field goals to finish a 26-20 comeback against Indianapolis on Sunday.

The Titans trailed 13-0 at halftime and had managed only 64 yards. They scored 20 consecutive points after the break, watched Jonathan Taylor tie the game, then moved back in front on Slye's 49-yard kick with 2:03 remaining.

Tennessee improved to 1-5 and gave Robert Saleh his first win as the team's head coach. Indianapolis fell to 2-4 after losing a home divisional game in which it outgained the Titans 399-186.

Dike and Tate erase the deficit

The comeback began with Tennessee's defense. Jeffery Simmons forced and recovered a Taylor fumble on the first play of the second half, setting up Slye's 29-yard field goal. Cor'Dale Flott then intercepted Daniel Jones to end another Colts scoring opportunity.

Slye's 56-yarder cut the margin to 13-6 before Chimere Dike returned a punt 58 yards. That gave Cam Ward a short field, and he found Carnell Tate for an 8-yard touchdown to tie it with 13:00 left.

FOX Sports' official clip shows Tate completing the scoring catch for his first NFL touchdown:

Tate finished with six receptions for 70 yards. Ward completed 11 of 22 passes for 102 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while Tony Pollard carried 19 times for 76 yards.

A blocked punt puts Tennessee ahead

Indianapolis' next possession ended with Tennessee blocking Rigoberto Sanchez's punt. Oluwafemi Oladejo recovered at the Colts' 14 and returned it for a touchdown, giving Tennessee a 20-13 lead with 10:17 remaining.

The Titans' official video captures the blocked punt and Oladejo's return:

Taylor answered with a 4-yard touchdown run to tie it at 20 with 5:32 left. A 36-yard pass-interference penalty against Cam Taylor-Britt then helped Tennessee move toward Slye's go-ahead attempt. The Titans added a 44-yard field goal with 43 seconds remaining after Indianapolis turned the ball over on downs.

Tennessee's defense forced three turnovers and recorded six sacks. Jones finished 22 of 42 for 269 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Taylor had 94 rushing yards and added 57 receiving yards, but his fumble helped Tennessee begin the second-half rally.

Mo Alie-Cox's 1-yard touchdown catch and Spencer Shrader's field goals from 23 and 47 yards had built Indianapolis' halftime lead. The Colts scored only seven points after the break.

Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner left with a calf injury and did not return, according to Indianapolis' official game report. Tennessee hosts Cleveland next Sunday; the Colts travel to Minnesota.