Buccaneers Suffer Their Seventh Loss of the Season Losing to Colts, 27-20

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost another close game. Rallied late but couldn't complete the comeback.

The Buccaneers lost the coin toss, and the Colts elected to defer to the second half, putting the Bucs offense on the field first. After two short receptions to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, Baker found Cade Otton for a 24-yard gain. Rachaad started to get involved with two solid runs setting up a first down at the Colts 30 yard line. Mike Evans hauled in a huge acrobatic catch to set up a first and goal at the one-yard line. Unfortunately, Baker Mayfield got rolled up on at the goal-line and hurt on the play. Kyle Kyle Trask came out and missed Godwin in the end-zone and the Bucs settled for a field goal.

The Colts started their first drive at the 25-yard line. Gardner Minshew came out firing, finding open receivers Josh Downs and Michael Pittman for an easy first down. The Bucs seemed to get pressure a lot of pressure on Gardner Minshew throughout the day but a hold on Carlton Davis set up another first down for the Colts. The Colts got into the red-zone quickly after a few more receivers found space and a nice run by Jonathan Taylor. A nice pass breakup by Carlton Davis covering Michael Pittman set up a third and long at the 19-yard line. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka sacked Gardner Minshew and the Colts tied up the game with a Matt Gay field goal. 

Baker came back in for the Bucs' second drive. Dave Canales started to pass more on first down this game, which is nice. The defense lined up in the neutral zone setting up a first down. Baker Mayfield was then Intercepted by Colts linebacker Ronnie Harrison on a forced throw to Mike Evans, setting up the Colts with great field position at the Bucs' 41-yard line.

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The Colts continued to find wide-open receivers on their second drive as Gardner Minshew found Pierce for an easy completion. A 17-yard run that should have been stopped at the line of scrimmage by Jonathan Taylor then set up the Colts at the 4-yard line, Taylor punched it in for an easy score. Extra point good, Colts jumped to a 10-3 lead. Seems like the Bucs were missing Lavonte David's ability to stop the run throughout the game.

Rachaad White got stopped by the Colts' stout front for negative two yards to start the drive. The first quarter ended after the stop. After getting another ball tipped at the line, the Colts' defense got to Baker for a sack setting up a three-and-out. Jake Camarda punted the ball away. The 61-yard punt was nearly blocked. Izaiah Mckenzie set the Colts' offense up at the 38-yard line. 

After two batted-down passes by the Bucs' defense now, Gardner Minshew found Alec Pierce for 9 yards, setting up a fourth and one. The Colts went for it and Michael Pittman was wide open again for 24 yards. Bucs have not been playing the pass very well on defense. The secondary was getting exposed early on. Gardner Minshew completed eight straight passes and just like that, the Colts were at the one-yard line. Yaya Diaby was injured on the play and walked gingerly to the sideline. The Colts attempt a direct snap to Jonathan Taylor, denied by Bucs front. Gardner Minshew ran the ball in for a third-down touchdown beating Devin White afterwards. The Colts were up early 17-3.

The Bucs needed a great start to their drive being down 14. A bad fumble by Rachaad White and a short gain afterward set the offense up with another third long. A pass short of the sticks was obviously unsuccessful. The drive stalled and Camarda punted the ball 63 yards. The Colts started their next drive at their 8-yard line. 

The Colts came out trying to get more space. A miscommunication by Gardner Minshew and his receiver led to a Carlton Davis interception, which was much needed for not only him but the team. Set up the Bucs in the red-zone.

Baker Mayfield connected with rookie tight end Payne Durham for a huge catch near the goal line. Mike Evans was wide open for a huge touchdown, closing the gap. The Colts still leading 17-0 at this point. 

Michael Pittman had what appeared to be a contested catch. It seemed like Gardner Minshew cooled down on this drive as the Bucs forced a three-and-out. Antoine Winfield almost hauled in an impressive interception, but it was knocked out by a Colts receiver.

With 4:40 left in the second quarter, the Bucs had a chance to get some points going into halftime, knowing the Colts would receive the kickoff after the half. The running game seems to be working finally as the drive started with two straight first-down runs. The Colts got called for roughing the passer and the drive continued with impressive rushing by Rachaad White. The drive stalled with another unsuccessful third and long after a Tristan Wirfs Penalty. 

The Colts looked to add to their lead starting their drive at the 38 with 1:44 left in the half. Heavy pressure at the 50-yard line, set up third and long. The Colts went for it on fourth and three, it was successful. Matt Gay missed the field goal as time expired. Colts lead going into half, 17-10.

The Colts started the second half at the 25 yard-line. Jonathan Taylor lost two yards on first down, a short pass on second down, and two back-to-back passes to the Colts tight end Will Mallory setting the Colts up in Bucs territory. The run game continued success during the drive, the Bucs' defense bent but didn't break. Matt Gay's field goal good, 20-10 Colts. 

Baker Mayfield started off hot hitting Godwin for a 21-yard gain after the half. The run game with Rachaad White continued to give the Bucs room to open up opportunities. Baker was sacked on second down near the 50-yard line with everyone covered. The team continued to struggle with drops, Trey Palmer should have had an easy completion with what would have been a first down, instead, the drop set up another third and long. Stopped, Jake Camarda punt yet again for a touchback. 

The Buccaneers struggled to stop what the Colts were doing offensively. Seemed like every play during this particular drive resulted in a first down. Jonathan Taylor and Zach Moss both had an amazing game. Keep in mind, Lavonte David was out this game, and it showed. Josh Downs had a drop that set up a fourth and six at the Bucs 40-yard line. Dee Delaney deflected the fourth down pass, turnover on downs with time running down in the third quarter, 

Out came the Bucs hoping to erase a two-score lead for the Colts. Baker got loose for a fourteen-yard run that helped the drive continue as the clock expired. The fourth quarter started with multiple dropped passes leading to a fourth down. Baker Mayfield found Chris Godwin for a huge first down. Baker Mayfield then hit Mike Evans for his second touchdown catch of the day. Bucs cut the Colts lead to 20-17 early in the fourth quarter. 

With 12:50 left in the game, the Bucs needed a stop defensively so the offense could have a chance to potentially take the lead. Pittman continued to hurt the Bucs. The Colts went for it on fourth down and found Mo Allie-Cox for 30 yards. Jonathan Taylor carved through the Bucs defense for his second rushing score on the day. Colts were back up by two scores, 27-17.

With just over seven minutes left, the Bucs were down ten and needed to get something going on offense. White rushed for 38 yards on second down when the team needed him most. Baker Mayfield hit Mike Evans for a big gain down to the 6-yard line but sacked on the next play. Baker got sacked again and the Bucs had to settle for a field Goal. 

A stop defensively was critical for the Colts' last drive. The drive started with a hold on the Colts, giving the Bucs more room for a stop. Calijah Kancey got a sack and set up a huge third and twenty-three. The Colts ran the ball and held short, Bucs got the ball back hoping for a score. 

The Buccaneers started the drive a bit too fast, hit with an illegal shift penalty at the two-minute warning. The Colts defense got to Baker Mayfield and he's stripped with 1:29 left. Indianapolis went ahead and ran the clock down, winning the game. 

This team has a lot of work to do if they want to compete. Defensively, they give up way too many big plays that should be stopped. Offensively, the team needs to continue to build onto the run game that we saw against the Colts and get more out of their starting quarterback as well. The game got away from them far too often. Unfortunately, with this loss, the Bucs have a steep hole to climb out of to make the playoffs. There are a few winnable games coming up, including some divisional matchups, we will see how things go as the season continues to wind down.

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