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Guten tag, football fans. Wie gehts? Alles klar I hope on this excellent early start to the tenth week coming directly from Germany. Berlin's Olympic Stadium to be exact where at 9:30 AM EST and 2:30 PM GMT the powerful Indianapolis Colts (seven wins and two losses) face off against the Atlanta Falcons (3-5). The fifth game played on German soil and the initial in the capital city.

Pregame Highlights

As sparkly jackets go that is an absolute belter from Katarina Witt on the opening flip. 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 Colts have won the toss and have chosen to get the ball first. Daniel Jones and company will be taking the field soon. Can the quarterback recover after a difficult performance in Pittsburgh?

In a similar vein the vocalist performing the Star Spangled Banner has some of the biggest shoulder embellishments you are bound to notice. Loving the sartorial choices today. We are almost underway after a choral number for the German anthem. Elegant.

First Quarter Gameplay

Colts 0-0 Falcons 13:30, 1st quarter

Here we go! And we have an exciting start after Jonathan Taylor receives a short throw, sweeps out for 15 yards to the right side then fumbles … only for his offensive lineman to recover the fumble with the ball retrieval. Colts are in Falcons territory already.

Still scoreless at 10:51

And the drama keeps coming as the Colts go for it on 4th down. The risk doesn't work out as the wide receiver fails to catch a fastball from Jones. Prior to the failed attempt Jessie Bates put a massive tackle on tight end Mo Alie-Cox. The Falcons have come out fighting on defense as they attempt to end their string of three losses. Following that, Sauce Gardner makes his first appearance!

Touchdown Updates

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 very open but the ball just swishes through his hands. That play rather sums up the first round pick’s career to date.

A disappointing start but it only deteriorates for the Falcons as they cough the ball back to the Indianapolis on the 23-yard mark. Michael Penix Jr is hunted down and can’t keep hold of the ball.

A nifty 22-yard run from Ashton Dulin sets Jonathan Taylor up to roll in for the score on the next snap. Kicker Michael Badgley skews the extra point wide. Mistake.

TOUCHDOWN! Colts 6-7 Falcons 6:07, 1st quarter

Penix Jr puts the fumble behind him by leading Atlanta on a long drive for a touchdown. The wide receiver makes some chunky receptions to put them in the scoring area then the seas part for Tyler Allgeier to saunter on to the goal line through the heart of the field for 13 yards. The running back finishes it off for a one-yard touchdown of his own. Advantage Atlanta.

Additional Tenth Week Matchups

Additionally, the jumbo package starting at 1 PM EST and 6 PM 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) Texans v Jaguars (5-3)

• (2-7) Dolphins v Buffalo Bills (6-2)

• (4-4) Minnesota Vikings v Baltimore Ravens (3-5)

• (1-7) New York Jets v Browns (2-6)

• (6-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots (7-2)

An exciting lineup. I’m planting my flag on the Vikings and Ravens playing out the game of the day.