INDIANAPOLIS — It was business as usual for Joe Flacco. Uncertain of his status heading into Sunday’s meeting with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, the veteran quarterback simply prepared for whatever his role might be. It turned out to be starting for a second straight game as the Indianapolis Colts determined Anthony Richardson needed at least one more week to recover from a strained oblique. “Just wasn’t there, yet,’’ Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Richardson's status after the Colts’ 20-17 win Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Flacco was, because he had to be. After missing the week 5 game at Jacksonville, Richardson was limited in practice on Wednesday and Friday and full-go on Thursday. “I’ve been around long enough (to know) you’ve just gotta stay on your toes and prepare,’’ Flacco said. “That’s kind of how it was. “I didn’t want to assume anything or not assume anything, so I just went into the building, prepared like I know how to do and kind of waited until some kind of decision was made.’’ Flacco saw his string of five consecutive starts with at least 300 yards end, but was good enough when it mattered. He passed for 189 yards with touchdowns to wide receivers Josh Downs (22 yards) and Michael Pittman Jr. (10 yards) and one egregious interception. “Yeah, I was just getting greedy,’’ Flacco said of his first interception as a Colt. “Not having that dialogue with myself to just stay patient. “Next thing you know, I’m trying to fit the ball into a seam ... I’m throwing a pick and setting our team up for failure.’’ The Colts led 7-0 midway through the first quarter and faced a second-and-10 at their own 36-yard line. Flacco tried to squeeze a pass to Pittman, who was heavily covered by Amani Hooker. The safety’s interception led to a short field and quarterback Will Levis’ 9-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. “Just got greedy and bad, bad decision,’’ Flacco said. He atoned with the 10-yard touchdown to Pittman that gave the Colts a 20-17 lead with 7:27 remaining in the game. It marked the 27th fourth-quarter, game-winning drive in Flacco’s 17-year career. That’s tied with former Titans’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill for 7th-most in league history. Defense steps up The NFL’s No. 32-ranked defense apparently had had enough. It yielded Tony Pollard’s 23-yard touchdown run on the first possession of the second half that included a few missed tackles and staked the Titans to a 17-10 lead. Then, the defense slammed the door. Tennessee’s next four possessions: two three-and-outs, three punts and Julian Blackmon’s first interception of the season. The Titans ran 14 plays for 29 yards. “Shout out to the defense,’’ Steichen said. “They stepped up big-time there in the fourth quarter for us getting those stops.’’ Linebacker Zaire Franklin told reporters the defense is “just being consistent and committing to the mentality that we’re not going to allow somebody to run the ball on us, not allow somebody to move the ball on us.’’ A defense that had been gashed for 419 yards per game through the first five weeks allowed season-lows in total yards (241), yards per play (4.4), passing yards (95) and first downs (16). At the same time, that defense failed to produce a sack of Levis. That’s two straight games without getting to the quarterback. Also, the Titans rushed 28 times for 146 yards (5.2 per attempt). Pollard led them with 93 yards on 17 carries. This and that Rigoberto Sanchez remains one of the NFL’s top situational punters. He averaged 54.2 yards on five punts, including a 48.4 net. Sanchez dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line and pinned the Titans at their own 3-yard line with 12 seconds remaining in the contest. The punt landed inside the 5 and essentially died along the left sideline. “Helluva punt by him,’’ Steichen said. Franklin led the defense with nine tackles followed by safety Nick Cross’ eight and seven by cornerback Jaylon Jones. The win evened the Colts' record at 3-3, two games behind the 5-1 Houston Texans in the AFC South. The Titans and Jacksonville are 1-5. Injury update Center Ryan Kelly was forced from the game in the fourth quarter with a calf injury. He was replaced by rookie Tanor Bortolini. Kelly had missed the two previous games with a neck injury. You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter/X at @mchappell51.