Guten tag, football enthusiasts. How are you? Alles klar I trust on this fine early start to week 10 coming straight outta Deutschland. Berlin's Olympic Stadium to be precise where at 9:30 AM EST and 2:30 PM GMT the powerful Colts (7-2) face off against the Atlanta Falcons (3-5). This marks the fifth matchup played on soil in Germany and the initial in the capital city.
As sparkly jackets go that is an absolute belter from Katarina Witt on the coin toss. A minor slip from Sky Sports there as we hear “which team got the coin flip?” from the commentator with an unfortunately hot mic.
Well, the coin toss went to Indianapolis and have elected to receive. 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 US national anthem has some of the largest shoulder pads you are bound to notice. The fashion picks are impressive today. The game is about to start after a choral number for the German anthem. Elegant.
Colts 0-0 Falcons 13:30, 1st quarter
Here we go! And we have early drama after Jonathan Taylor receives a short throw, sweeps out for 15 yards to the right side then loses the ball … only for his offensive lineman to save his bacon with the recovery. Indianapolis quickly moves into Atlanta's half.
Still scoreless at 10:51
And the excitement continues as the Indianapolis attempts a fourth-down conversion. The gamble fails to pay off as the wide receiver cannot reel in a fastball from Jones. Prior to the failed attempt Jessie Bates put a massive tackle on tight end Mo Alie-Cox. Atlanta's defense started strong as they try and snap their three-game losing streak. Following that, Sauce Gardner makes his first appearance!
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 high draft pick's professional journey to date.
A disappointing start but it only gets worse for the Atlanta as they turn over possession to the Colts on the 23-yard line. Michael Penix Jr is hunted down and fumbles the football.
An agile 22-yard rush from Ashton Dulin sets Jonathan Taylor up to easily run for a touchdown on the following play. Kicker Michael Badgley misses the point after attempt. Oops.
Falcons respond: 6-7 at 6:07
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 chunky receptions to put them in the red zone then the seas part for the running back to saunter on to the goal line through the heart of the field for 13 yards. He completes the drive for a one-yard touchdown of his own. Advantage Atlanta.
Additionally, 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) Chicago Bears v New York Giants (2-7)
(3-5) Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
(2-7) Miami Dolphins v Buffalo Bills (6-2)
(4-4) Vikings v Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
(1-7) Jets v Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Buccaneers v New England Patriots (7-2)
What a feast. I’m planting my flag on the Vikings and Ravens playing out the game of the day.
Film critic and industry analyst with a passion for uncovering cinematic trends and storytelling techniques.
