INDIANAPOLIS –First Quarter Recap
The Buccaneers won the toss and deferred to the second half.
It was a 15-play drive to start for the Colts thanks to several key third-down conversions. Adam Vinatieri's 49-yard field goal gave the Colts an early 3-0 lead at the 8:13 mark of the first quarter. The field goal was the 13th straight make for the 42-year-old kicker.
Tampa Bay would answer with a field goal drive of their own. A 12-play series came to a close on a 38-yard field goal from Connor Barth. The score was tied at zero with 2:50 left in the first quarter.
The first quarter came to a close with the Colts in Buccaneers territory.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at three.Second Quarter Recap
Another double-digit play drive from the Colts would settle with an Adam Vinatieri field goal. A 27-yarder from the All-Pro kicker gave the Colts a 6-3 lead 12:44 remaining until halftime.
It would be a fourth-straight double-digit play drive that would end in a field goal. Connor Barth connected from 30 yards out to tie the score at six with 5:38 left in the first half.
The game's first punt would finally occur with just less than five minutes to go in the first half, following a three-and-out by the Colts.
The touchdown "drought" came to a close on the next Bucs drive. After a 56-yard run by the NFL's second leading rusher Doug Martin, Jameis Winston found tight end Cameron Brate for a 20-yard touchdown. The Bucs led 12-6 with 1:54 left in the first half, after Connor Barth missed the extra point.
A holding penalty on the Colts final drive of the half ended any chance at some late points.
At halftime, the Bucs led the Colts 12-6.Third Quarter Recap
The second half began with the Bucs offense going three-and-out and sending out the punt team for the first time all day.
Yet another penetrating red zone drive for the Colts didn't produce a touchdown. A 26-yarder from Adam Vinatieri cut the Buccaneers lead to 12-9 with 10:01 left in the third quarter.
The Colts defense dialed up another three-and-out, and this time the good field position wouldn't go to waste. First, a 31-yard completion to Donte Moncrief moved the chains on a second-and-15. On the next play, Matt Hasselbeck connected with T.Y. Hilton for a 19-yard touchdown. The Colts touhcdown gave the home team a 16-12 lead with the third quarter nearing the midway point.
The third quarter momentum continued for the Colts. A missed 54-yard field goal by Connor Barth was made even worse for Tampa Bay after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Bucs guard Logan Mankins. The Colts would get the ball at the Bucs 41-yard line with 3:57 left in the third quarter.
With his 16th straight made field goal, Adam Vinatieri pushed the Colts lead to 19-12 on a 44-yarder with 1:02 left in the third quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, the Colts led the Bucs 19-12.Fourth Quarter Recap
The final frame would start with the Colts defense once again revving up the pass rush. Sacks from Erik Walden and Nate Irving led to another punt for the Bucs.
It was a chance for the Colts to take some time off the clock and potentially stretch the lead to two scores. The Colts received an early third-and-10 conversion from Donte Moncrief's speed after the catch.
Leading 19-12, the Colts appeared to extend their lead to two scores following a 30-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri. However, another penalty on the Buccaneers gave the Colts a first-and-goal with the fourth quarter clock ticking under seven minutes.
The Colts would make the Buccaneers pay after the penalty. The 15-play, 76-yard drive, aided by the Bucs penalty, ended with T.Y. Hilton scoring on a three-yard touchdown catch, his second of the game. A missed extra point from Adam Vinatieri put the score at 25-12 with 5:53 remaining.
Tampa Bay went up-tempo down by two scores. They moved into Indianapolis territory before a failed fourth-down attempt ended any realistic comeback chance.
After a Colts punt, veteran safety Dwight Lowery picked off Jameis Winston to give Indianapolis the 25-12 victory.
Next up for the Colts (6-5) is a trip to Pittsburgh (6-4) for Sunday Night Football at 8:30 p.m. EST.
Colts In-Game Injuries
ILB-Jerrell Freeman (hamstring, OUT)
RB-Ahmad Bradshaw (wrist, OUT)
Colts Inactives
12-Andrew Luck
15-Phillip Dorsett
29-Mike Adams
51-Sio Moore
74-Anthony Castonzo
79-Todd Herremans
92-Bjoern WernerColts Pre-Game Notes
-This Colts have played eight straight one-possession games, tying a franchise record.Weather Update
-With temperatures in the 40s, the roof and window is closed today at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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