The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) are all but set to battle it out in Week 12 at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
Entering the weekend as 3.5-point underdogs at home, the Colts are hoping to keep their fortunes rolling. They’ve won five out of their last six while coming off of a big upset win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. The Bucs have been rolling and are currently the No. 3 seed in the NFC.
Here’s how the Colts Wire staff sees this game shaking out:
Kevin Hickey (@KevinHickey11): Bucs 27, Colts 25
I will not be surprised if the Colts pull off the upset at home. Doing so will be difficult, but the Colts showed us in Week 11 that they have what it takes. That said, I think they take a step back slightly on Sunday with a loss against a very formidable opponent.
The biggest concern is the fact that Bucs are likely getting defensive tackle Vita Vea back from a knee injury. He’s one of the league’s best run defenders to go along with linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David. Give how much we know the Colts want to establish the run with Jonathan Taylor, it might be tough to get that going.
Another concern I have for his game is how much the Bucs defense could give Carson Wentz fits. The Colts have a good offensive line, but the Bucs defense is fifth in pressure rate (27.4%) and tied for first in blitz rate (39.7%), according to Pro Football Reference. Wentz’s struggles come with identifying blitz packages, setting the protection and/or finding his hot read.
The zone defense has what it takes to keep Tom Brady in check enough if the pass rush isn’t a complete dud. But that challenge won’t be easy in the slightest as the 44-year-old is playing better now than he did 20 years ago.
It will be a close, hard-fought battle at Lucas Oil Stadium, but I predict the Bucs will be too much to handle on Sunday.
Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL): Colts 27, Bucs 24
The Indianapolis Colts are looking to keep their winning streak in November alive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be tough sledding for Jonathan Taylor against the best rushing defense in the league. With how JT has been running all over defenses, I expect that Tampa’s defense will sell out to stop the stud back. This will put on more on Carson Wentz’s plate and he will have to deliver to keep up with the Bucs offense.
Wentz shows up, hits T.Y. Hilton on a deep touchdown to keep it a game, and protects the ball all afternoon. Tom Brady does Tom Brady things, he dices up the defense throughout the game, and utilizes his arsenal to his advantage. This ends up a tie game late into the fourth quarter and Brady has the ball to go win the game. Everyone knows and expects what will happen, but on the day Robert Mathis is going into the Ring of Honor, Kwity Paye strip-sacks Brady and the Colts recover the ball.
Wentz gets them in field goal position and Michael Badgely brings home the 27-24 win over the defending champions.
John Alfieri (@alfierijohn): Bucs 34, Colts 24
Coming off a statement win in Orchard Park, the Colts return home to take on the defending Super Bowl Champs. This game will be a much tougher test as Tampa Bay does a lot of things very well, including defend the run.
You have to imagine Bruce Arians has worked all week to do one thing, stop Jonathan Taylor. It will be tough in the early-going for the Colts to get a push up front and move the ball on the ground.
Where the Buccaneers are weak is in the secondary. They have been plagued with injuries all year and can be exposed down the field. Expect Carson Wentz and Michael Pittman Jr. to have a big day.
A loss in this one does not mean the season is over, but it does make Indy’s path to the playoffs much more difficult. However, it would be nice to get a win against Tom Brady at home.
Nick Melillo (@CircleCity21): TBD
N/A
Standings
1. John (9-2)
2. Cody (8-3)
3. Kevin (7-4)
4. Nick (6-5)
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