Joe Flacco throws two TD passes as the battered Colts beat the Titans 20-17

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Joe Flacco has been around the NFL long enough to know the backup quarterback should always be ready to start.

The 39-year-old quarterback also understands to ignore reports about a teammate possibly going on injured reserve and look for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. when it matters most.

Flacco backpedaled to buy time, then hit Pittman in the end zone with Titans cornerback L'Jarius Sneed draped over him for the 10-yard touchdown pass with 7:27 left that lifted the Indianapolis Colts to a 20-17 win Sunday over Tennessee.

“He’s got to be one of the toughest players I’ve played with," Flacco said of Pittman who practiced only Friday with a back injury that had the receiver questionable. “I think part of him was probably trying to prove a point.”

Flacco now is 1-1 in his second straight start for the Colts (3-3) who got a much-needed split of back-to-back road games inside the AFC South with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson scratched again with an injured right hip.

“You just got to stay on your toes and prepare, and that’s kind of how it was, you know?” Flacco said.

Richardson, the fourth overall pick out of Florida in 2023, has yet to play against Will Levis who was the 33rd selection overall in the same draft by Tennessee. The battered Colts with nine on injured reserve also had 2021 NFL rushing champ Jonathan Taylor out for a second straight game.

The Titans (1-4) now have lost three straight to their division rival. They will have to wait until November to try and win their first home game this season for first-year coach Brian Callahan, who said he still thinks his team is better than its record.

“We also aren’t making enough plays to win tight games, and we’ve got to find a way to do that,” Callahan said of the Titans' third loss by a touchdown or less. "And I got to find a way to help us get there because right now, losing games in one-score games is tough.”

Tony Pollard put Tennessee up 17-10 with a 23-yard TD run on a drive that used up more than half of the third quarter. Flacco answered by driving the Colts to 10 straight points and the lead they never lost.

He set up Matt Gay’s second field goal, a 22-yarder, in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. Pittman, who did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, said he knew he was going to play. He credited Flacco with a great throw on the game-winning TD.

"I had to go up there and get it for him,” Pittman said.

The Titans had their chances. They went three-and-out after the Colts went up 20-17, then Julian Blackmon picked off Levis' pass to Calvin Ridley with 4:52 left. Levis now has seven interceptions this season.

Tennessee had one final chance with 12 seconds left from its 3. Levis threw to DeAndre Hopkins, who started a series of laterals pitching to Chig Okonkwo before the ball was downed and time expired.

Flacco opened with a 10-play drive he capped with a 22-yard TD pass to Josh Downs for the 7-0 lead.

That more than made up for the pass Flacco threw directly to Titans safety Amani Hooker for Tennessee’s first interception this season. Hooker returned it 30 yards, and Levis capped a three-play drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on the receiver’s first target of the season, tying it up at 7.

The Titans took a 10-7 lead on Nick Folk's 44-yard field goal, capping a 15-play drive that used nine minutes off the clock. Gay tied it up at 10 just before halftime.

Colts coach Shane Steichen gave a shout out to his defense, which held Tennessee to 241 yards and was at its best in the fourth quarter. The Titans held the ball for less than five minutes with a pair of three-and-outs, the pick and a punt.

“They stepped up big time there in the fourth quarter for us getting those stops,” Steichen said of a defense missing Pro Bowl tackle DeForest Buckner and two other linemen.

The Titans were flagged 11 times for 113 yards — both season highs. Callahan declined to comment when asked about a couple of plays where the Titans wanted interference flags for their offense, saying officials don't really give explanations.

Colts starting defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo hurt a hamstring in the second quarter on a unit with three lineman currently on injured reserve. He returned in the third. But center Ryan Kelly, who missed the past two games with an injured neck, hurt his calf late in the third quarter and didn't return.

Titans RB Tyjae Spears hurt a hamstring and didn't return.

The Colts host Miami in their lone home game in a five-game stretch.

The Titans start a two-game road swing at Buffalo.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) makes a touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Indianapolis Colts' Ashton Dulin (16) reacts following an NFL football game, Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) makes an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan argues a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) makes a touchdown catch against Tennessee Titans' L'Jarius Sneed (38) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) — India captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten half-century went in vain as defending champion Australia took four wickets in the last over of the cricket match and won by nine runs at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.

Australia advanced from Group A to the semifinals with the win. India's fate now depends on the outcome of the New Zealand versus Pakistan game on Monday.

In the early match, Maia Bouchier smashed 62 not out off 34 balls as England crushed Scotland by 10 wickets with 10 overs remaining in their Group B clash.

Kaur took her team close to a successful chase with 54 not out off 47 balls. India started the final over at 138-5, needing 14 runs to win. Two run-outs and two wickets for Australia bowler Annabel Sutherland saw India finish its innings at 142-9.

Australia rode on vital middle-order runs from skipper Tahlia McGrath (32 runs in 26 balls) and Ellyse Perry (32 in 23) after opener Grace Harris hit a 41-ball 40 in a total of 151-8.

Australia finished top of its group, winning all four games.

India is currently second after two wins and two losses. Both India and New Zealand have four points each, two more than Pakistan.

A win for the Kiwis on Monday will put them through, while Pakistan winning will see the remaining qualification spot in the group determined by net run-rate.

Australia won the toss against India and opted to bat first. Medium pacer Renuka Singh picked up 2-24 as India made it a tough start.

Singh accounted for Beth Mooney (2) and then trapped Georgia Wareham lbw for a golden duck.

Harris resisted and put on 62 off nine overs faced for the third wicket with McGrath. Their partnership turned the game around for Australia, despite left-arm spinner Radha Yadav (1-14) providing the breakthrough when McGrath was out stumped.

Off spinner Deepti Sharma, who finished with 2-28, had Harris out caught in the 14th over.

Australia lost wickets regularly in the second half of its innings, but Perry strung things together at the other end. She hit two fours and a six, helping her side to a commanding 150-plus total.

India’s chase faltered early on when left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux trapped Smriti Mandhana lbw for six.

Shafali Verma holed out for a brisk 20 off 13 balls, including two fours and a six. Megan Schutt then dismissed Jemimah Rodrigues for 16 and India was down to 47-3 in 6.5 overs.

Kaur and Sharma put on 63 off 54 balls for the fourth wicket – Sharma contributed 29 runs. But the run-rate was creeping up, and Sharma holed out in the 16th over.

England powered its way to 113-0 in only 10 overs as Bouchier put on an unbeaten opening stand with Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, who continued her splendid tournament form to score 51 not out off 26 balls.

This was after Scotland was restricted to 109-6 in its 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone picked up 2-13 in four overs.

With the win England moved to the top of Group B with three successive wins in as many games.

It is equal on six points with second-place South Africa, but ahead on a comfortable net run-rate of +1.716. England’s final game is against third-place West Indies (four points). All three teams could find themselves in a battle for the two knockout spots from the group.

Scotland has lost all four group games in its first Women’s T20 World Cup campaign, and along with hosts Bangladesh, is out of contention to advance from the group.

Scotland opted to bat and its openers made a decent start. Sarah Bryce scored 27 off 31 balls and put on 38 for the first wicket with Saskia Horley (13).

Nat Sciver-Brunt provided the breakthrough, and then Ecclestone had Sarah Bryce stumped with the score at 50-2 in 10.4 overs.

Skipper Kathryn Bryce top scored with 33 off 28 but the other batters were unable to kick on against disciplined English bowling led by Ecclestone.

In reply, England’s openers made light work of the chase. Wyatt-Hodge, who has previous scores of 41 and 43 in the tournament, smacked seven fours.

Bouchier hit 12 fours to reach 50 off 30 balls as the opening duo overhauled the target with half the innings to spare.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's players celebrates their win against India during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

India's Shafali Verma bats during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

India's Shafali Verma bats during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Australia's Grace Harris bats during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

India's Smriti Mandhana bats during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Australia's Annabel Sutherland celebrates after taking the catch to get the wicket of India's Shafali Verma during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Australia's Annabel Sutherland, left, celebrates with her teammates after taking the catch to get the wicket of India's Shafali Verma during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Australia's Grace Harris bats during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur walks off the field after losing to Australia during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Australia's Annabel Sutherland bowls a delivery during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

England players celebrate the wicket of Scotland's Sarah Bryce during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between England and Scotland at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

England's Maia Bouchier, left, and Danni Wyatt bumps their fists as they bat during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 matchbetween England and Scotland at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Scotland's Darcey Carter dives unsuccessfully to stop the ball during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between England and Scotland at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Scotland's Abtaha Maqsood prepares to bowl during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between England and Scotland at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

England's Danni Wyatt and Maia Bouchier celebrates their win against Scotland during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)