Colts WRs Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce Prove Crucial in OT Win
When the game is on the line, big-time players end up making big-time plays.
For the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, the big-time plays came from a couple of wide receivers. One has faced criticism for not elevating the offense despite having multiple quarterbacks in his career. "Not a true WR1," they say. The other has seemingly been written off as a bust before the end of his sophomore campaign.
But when the Colts needed them most, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce came through in the clutch to give the Colts their fourth straight win, a 31-28 walk-off victory over the Tennessee Titans in overtime. The win brings the Colts to 7-5 and moves them into the sixth spot in the AFC playoff picture.
Sunday's matchup between the Colts and Titans became a fierce battle amongst the division rivals. A game that featured seven total fumbles, four turnovers, a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, and an interception returned for two points came down to the wire at Nissan Stadium. But in the end, the Colts executed on their final drive to get the touchdown.
The last time these two teams played, the Colts controlled the ball and ran it down the Titans' throat. Zack Moss ran for 165 yards and two touchdowns on that October afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Titans made sure Moss would not have a second act. Moss trudged for 51 hard-earned yards on 19 carries for just 2.7 yards per carry. The offense would have to come from another source.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) runs in the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Tennessee Titans.
© Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Enter Pittman, who answered the call early and often for the Colts. Head coach Shane Steichen dialed up plays for the wide receiver, and Gardner Minshew fed him the ball. Pittman had 16 targets on Sunday, allowing him to really get into the flow of the game.
"I feel like it calms me down knowing that I'm going to get multiple opportunities," Pittman admitted. "If one doesn't go my way, I know I’m not going to sit for three quarters before I get another pass. I feel like they're really looking to come to me which is what I love."
As the catches added up for Pittman, so did the first downs. Pittman consistently moved the Colts down the field, getting them in position to extend drives. With 11 receptions for 105 yards, it marked the fifth straight game Pittman has recorded eight or more catches.
"It's always good to come out and do it consistently," Pittman commented. "Last week, it was another high-volume game. Just being there and making those tough catches. There was some tough catches that I should have made today that I would like back, but that's just how it goes. That’s football. They're good players, too. I just have such a high standard."
It is no secret Pittman is the go-to receiver for the Colts. However, for a team that has seen greatness at the wide receiver position, he is putting up historic numbers.
Pittman passed former Colts hall of fame receiver Marvin Harrison for the franchise record of most catches by a player in his first four seasons (311). He also joined Harrison as the only two Colts to have at least ten receptions and 100 receiving yards in consecutive games. For a player who some did not consider a WR1, the numbers say differently.
Pittman was not the only receiver to have a big performance. Pierce also got in on the action as Minshew finally began to look his way. He made the most of his opportunities for two huge gains.
The first catch for Pierce came on the third offensive play of the game for Indy, as Minshew threw it deep for a 36-yard touchdown. The touchdown was Pierce's first of the season. His third and final catch came with 3:05 remaining in overtime, as Minshew trusted his receiver deep for a 55-yard gain to set the Colts up with first-and-goal at the Titans' four-yard line. Big-time plays by Pierce.
"I am so proud of him," Pittman said regarding Pierce. "I am so excited for him because he's worked so hard. People have kind of wrote him off, but he's doing everything right. It’s really great to see him have that success in a big game, and I'm so proud of him."
Pierce has faced criticism this season for not being as productive as many thought he would be. It has caused some on the outside to question his future with the team. But days like Sunday show how explosive Pierce can be when given the chance.
"He keeps working, he keeps grinding," Steichen said about Pierce. "It might take some time every once in a while, but today was his opportunity and he made the most of it."
But the job was not done. The Colts still needed a field goal to tie and a touchdown to win. So, Minshew looked to the guy who had been making the Titans pay all day: Michael Pittman Jr.
"I saw them passing it off early," Pittman explained. "So I faked out and then I just went straight back, and then Gardner put up a perfect pass that I just had to catch."
Pittman's move to get open allowed for an easy throw from Minshew for the touchdown. The Colts mobbed Pittman in the end zone as they celebrated the hard-earned win, a win that would not have been possible without #11 and #14.
"It’s unbelievable," Steichen said about Pittman. "He’s consistent every time he goes out there. I don’t know what he had today, 11-for-100-and-something, I think. Just came up back-to-back games with 100-yards receiving. Just the consistency that he plays with week in, week out, his preparation he puts into it, his toughness and his physicality, it’s special."
Both Pittman and Pierce have received flack from the outside for numerous reasons. The truth is, the Colts do not win that game against the Titans without Pittman and Pierce. Pittman provides the consistent threat to move the chains, while Pierce is the deep threat that can produce an explosive play at any time.
Those two, combined with impressive rookie Josh Downs, form a formidable trio at wide receiver with sky-high potential. Add in the fact these three will be with Anthony Richardson for years to come, and it could get scary.
"Alec, Josh, those guys can both do it," Pittman said. "On any given day, it could be me, Josh, or Alec."
But Pittman is the star, and although he is in the final year of his rookie deal, the Colts hope to see many more performances like today from their WR1 for a long time.
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