The Tantalizing Ten: Buccaneers Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts (5-5) end Thanksgiving week with a visit from the Buccaneers (5-5)?
Winston returns to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday where his NFL journey really began during February's Combine. The No. 1 overall pick is holding true to many of the promises he made back in February. Winston is hot following a five-touchdown performance last week. Tampa is 4-2 in their last six games with Winston throwing nine touchdowns and just two interceptions during that stretch.
It's pretty crazy that Reitz is the longest tenured Colt on the offensive side of the ball. His versatility has been invaluable and now he will be asked to start at left tackle for Anthony Castonzo. This will be Reitz's first career start at left tackle after he's filled in everywhere besides center previously.
Playing some of the league's best run defenses the past three games, Gore has hovered right around the three yards per carry mark. Now, he's running behind a likely revamped line with Anthony Castonzo out of the lineup. We did see Gore lead the Colts with five catches for 46 yards last Sunday in Atlanta, an element of his game which should continue with Hasselbeck.
Only three quarterbacks in the NFL are undefeated this season having started multiple games (Tom Brady, Cam Newton and Matt Hasselbeck). The fourth start for Hasselbeck comes Sunday against a coach in Lovie Smith who game planned for No. 8 back in 2001-2003 as the Rams defensive coordinator. Can Hasselbeck continue to carry the torch for backup quarterbacks around the NFL?
In a contract year, Martin is looking more and more like the Pro Bowler we saw in his rookie season. Martin is second in the NFL with 941 rushing yards. Last week against Philadelphia, Martin had an incredible 235 rushing yards on just 27 carries (8.7 yards per carry). He only has three touchdowns on the season, but Martin is doing plenty of damage for the Bucs offense.
Toler bounced back with a nice performance against the Falcons. It was needed late in the fourth quarter with Atlanta needing to chuck the football and doing it against a Colts secondary sans Vontae Davis. The Colts secondary will be tested Sunday from two massive receivers---Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.
The Colts inside linebackers are playing at a very, very high level right now. Freeman has played like a Pro Bowler for much of 2015. The duo of Freeman and D'Qwell Jackson will be counted on again this week facing the league's second leading rusher, Doug Martin.
Once the Falcons took a 21-7 lead last week, one of the biggest differences down the stretch was the play of the Colts pass rush. It was humming down the stretch and forced Matt Ryan to finish the game 7-of-20 with two interceptions. If Mathis can sack Jameis Winston this week, he will add yet another quarterback to his 115 career sack list.
Hilton had just two catches for 21 yards last Sunday with Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant showing his Pro Bowl skill. Chuck Pagano talked earlier this week how hitting some chunk plays is an offensive focus going forward. That obviously involves Hilton, and some extra protection time from a new-look group up front.
After a slow start to the season, the second-year wide receiver has looked much like the No. 1 wideout he is. Evans has gone over 100 yards in three of his past five games. He's the NFL's second-leading receiver since Week Seven. With Vontae Davis banged up, the Colts will have to be ready for a physical Bucs wideout group.
