Guten tag, football fans. How are you? Everything good I trust on this fine early start to week 10 coming directly from Deutschland. The Olympiastadion in Berlin to be precise where at 9:30 AM EST and 2:30 PM GMT the powerful Colts (seven wins and two losses) face off against the Atlanta Falcons (3-5). This marks the fifth matchup played on German soil and the initial in the capital city.
As sparkly jackets go that is an absolute belter from the Olympic figure skater on the coin toss. A minor slip from the broadcast team there as we hear “which team got the coin flip?” from the commentator with an unfortunately hot mic.
So, the Colts have won the toss and have elected to receive. The Colts' offense will be setting up shortly. Can the quarterback recover after a rough one in their last game?
Not to be outdone the vocalist performing the US national anthem has some of the biggest shoulder embellishments you are bound to notice. Loving the sartorial choices today. The game is about to start after a choral number for the national anthem of Germany. Classy.
Scoreless at 13:30 in the first
And we're off! And we have an exciting start after Jonathan Taylor catches a screen pass, sweeps out for 15 yards to the right then fumbles … only for his offensive lineman to recover the fumble with the recovery. Colts are in Falcons territory already.
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 fails to catch a quick pass from Jones. On the play before the turnover on downs Jessie Bates put a massive tackle on tight end Mo Alie-Cox. Atlanta's defense started strong as they attempt to end their three-game losing streak. Next up Sauce Garner’s debut!
First score: Colts lead 6-0 at 8:36
Was that a missed touchdown by Kyle Pitts? The tight end drops a clanger, he was very open but the ball just swishes through his hands. That play rather sums up the high draft pick's professional journey to date.
So far, so disappointing but it only deteriorates for the Falcons as they turn over possession to the Colts on the 23-yard line. The Falcons quarterback is sacked and can’t keep hold of the ball.
An agile 22-yard rush from the Colts receiver sets Jonathan Taylor up to easily run for a touchdown on the following play. The placekicker misses the point after attempt. Oops.
Falcons respond: 6-7 at 6:07
The quarterback recovers from the turnover by leading Atlanta on a long drive for a score of their own. The wide receiver makes some chunky receptions to put them in the scoring area then the defense opens up for the running back to saunter on to the goal line through the heart of the field for a 13-yard gain. The running back finishes it off for a short scoring run of his own. Advantage Atlanta.
And for afters, the jumbo package starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT (home teams listed first) is as follows:
(5-4) Panthers v Saints (1-8)
(5-3) Bears v New York Giants (2-7)
(3-5) Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
(2-7) Dolphins v Buffalo Bills (6-2)
(4-4) Vikings v Ravens (3-5)
(1-7) New York Jets v Cleveland 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 top contest of the day.
Elara is a passionate esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering major gaming events and trends.