THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS fought back from a 14-point deficit to overcome the Tennessee Titans 30-27 in the NFL last night.

Tennessee running-back Chris Johnson burst into the end zone for two touchdowns in the opening quarter to put the home side in control on Thursday, while the Titans held off the Colts in the second term to lead 17-6 at half-time.

But the Colts responded in the third quarter, keeping the home side scoreless, while putting on 17 points of their own to lead at the final break, before a final-term touchdown from Donald Brown wrapped up the visitors’ victory.

Brown rushed 11 yards to complete an 11-play, 74-yard drive with three minutes and five seconds remaining in Nashville and although Tennessee responded with a TD soon after, the Colts held on to register their seventh win of the season.

Indianapolis moved to a 7-3 win-loss record to extend their lead at the top of the AFC South, while Thursday’s result leaves Tennessee in second in the same division, three wins adrift of the Colts.

Tight end Coby Fleener played a key role in the Colts’ victory, claiming a career-high eight catches for 107 yards, while quarterback Andrew Luck scored one of the visitors’ two TDs in the third quarter, and completed 23 of 36 passes for 232 yards.

Brown started Indianapolis’ comeback with the first touchdown of the second half, while kicker Adam Vinatieri was also crucial for the Colts, slotting three field goals.

There was no love lost in the encounter, with Colts outside linebacker Erik Walden sure to face a sanction for headbutting Titan Delanie Walker, shortly after Walden had ripped off Walker’s helmet.