Rivers, Colts knock off Titans
Philip Rivers threw for 308 yards and a touchdown, and Nyheim Hines scored twice as the Colts beat the Titans 34- 17 Thursday night in Nashville, Tennessee, to grab the head- to- head edge atop the AFC South.
The Colts ( 6- 3), who came in with the NFL’s best defense in terms of yards allowed, smothered a Tennessee offense that had been averaging 384.6 yards a game, 10thbest in the NFL. E. J. Speed also blocked a punt that T. J. Carrie returned six yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter.
The Colts outgained the Titans 430- 294, though Derrick Henry ran for 103 yards.
The Titans ( 6- 3), who lost for the third time in four games, led 17- 13 at halftime. The Colts took advantage of the Titans’ specialteams woes to score twice in the third quarter for a 27- 17 lead.
The Titans went with a third different punter in three games, promoting Trevor Daniel after signing him to the practice squad last weekend. Daniel’s first punt went 17 yards and his second was blocked by Speed.
Rivers passed Hall of Famer Dan Marino for the fifth- most passing yards in NFL history on the Colts’ first play from scrimmage with an 11- yard pass to rookie Jonathan Taylor. Rivers now has 61,666 yards for his career.
The Colts will host the rematch in Indianapolis on Nov. 29 after helping coach Frank Reich improve to 4- 1 against Titans coach Mike Vrabel. Indianapolis now is 14- 5 at Nissan Stadium.
Dolphins put three on COVID list
Dolphins starting linebacker Kyle Van Noy and starting defensive tackle Christian Wilkins went on the COVID- 19 list Thursday, the latest setback for a team already in the NFL’s intensive protocol for the coronavirus. Reserve receiver Matt Cole also went on the list, and receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. was activated from the list.
† Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton joined right tackle Trent Brown on the COVID list.
† The Ravens say a player — whose name was not released — tested positive.
Steelers preparing as if Big Ben will play
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who remains on the COVID list after his close contact with Vance McDonald, won’t practice the rest of the week but the Steelers are preparing as if he will play Sunday against the Bengals as long as he continues to test negative.
Mason Rudolph and Joshua Dobbs will receive extra snaps with the first- team offense.
Giants WR Tate injures knee in practice
Giants receiver Golden Tate suffered a knee injury late in practice Thursday, but his injury likely isn’t season- ending, a source told ESPN. The former Notre Dame receiver was suspended by the team last week after expressing his displeasure with his shrinking role in a Week 8 loss to the Buccaneers.