Indianapolis Colts vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Monday Night Football Preview

The Indianapolis Colts are 0-3 for the first time since Peyton Manning's rookie season in 1998.  They will try and get in the win column for the first time Monday night when they travel to Tampa and take on the 2-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Colts are coming off of an emotional loss last Sunday night in their prime-time matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers while the Bucs are coming off of a tight win against division rival Atlanta Falcons.

The Colts travel to Tampa for the first time since that magical 2003 "Monday Night Miracle" matchup.  The Bucs were the defending Super Bowl Champs and the Colts brought their 4-0 record to Raymond James Stadium.

The Colts were trailing 21-0 at halftime and even worse (35-14) with four minutes to go in regulation.  Most people turned the TV off and thought it was over.  You would be crazy to think the Colts could come back.

What the Colts did was special.  They scored 21 points in less than four minutes to tie the game and send it to overtime.

The Colts were the first team in NFL history to win after trailing by 21 or more points with less than four minutes left in regulation.

Mike Vanderjagt missed the ensuing game winning 39 yard game winning field goal in overtime, but Bucs defender Simeon Rice got called on a penalty for leaping and gave Vanderjagt another chance. 

Vanderjagt then kicked the ball off the right upright and it bounced in and gave the Colts a 38-35 win in overtime.  It was also Colts head coach Tony Dungy's first trip back to Tampa since being fired at the end of the 2001 season.

This Monday night the Colts will need the same kind of magic.

It's been almost eight years to the date.  That game was October 6th, 2003 and the game Monday is October 3rd.

Then Bucs head coach John Gruden will be in the booth as an analyst for ESPN's Monday Night Football.

Peyton Manning will be at the game, but he won't be on the field like he was in 2003.  He will once again be up in the coaches box above helping with play calls.

The Colts do have a chance though, despite naming Curtis Painter as the quarterback Monday night.

It will be Painter's first start.

He was given the start due to quarterback Kerry Collins still having concussion like symptoms from a hit last week against the Steelers.

All Painter will have to do is manage the game wisely.  He can't turn the ball over by throwing interceptions or fumbling. 

The Buccaneers will bring pressure.  The defense has six sacks on the season and two interceptions.  Painter will need to hit his receivers quick and beat the pressure.  If the receivers can get open (and they do outmatch the Bucs secondary in the talent box) then the Colts will have some success.

The Bucs also struggled against the run this season.

The Colts will need to have big nights from backs Joseph Addai and Delone Carter to balance their attack.

As stated earlier, all the Colts will need to do is keep it manageable and avoid turnovers.  The Bucs offense has been disappointing this season at best.  If the defense plays like they did against the Steelers last Sunday night, it could get ugly for the home team quick.

Tampa is only averaging 20 PPG.  They're 22nd in the league in passing efficiency and 21st in rushing.

The Bucs, like the Colts, give up way too many first downs and don't convert themselves.  They're losing the first down battle 71-56 this season.  The Bucs offense is only 18-of-40 on third down conversions which is great for a Colts defense that struggles on third downs.

Josh Freeman has struggled this season.  He's completed 72-of-106 for 682 yards, but only has two touchdowns with four Interceptions.  He's also been sacked four times as well.  If the Colts bring the pressure they can rattle the young Bucs QB and force long second and third downs.

The Bucs also have only played good in one half of each game this season.

The first half of their first two games were horrid.  They trailed the Lions in Week 1 20-13 at half and ended up losing.  In Week 2 they trailed the Vikings 17-0 at half.  Last week against the Falcons they were up 13-3 at half, but only scored three total points after.

The Colts need to put points on the board in the first half and try and get the Bucs in a big enough deficit.

The playmakers need to show up for the Colts on Monday night.

Prediction

I think the Colts will create a manageable game for new quarterback Curtis Painter.  They will take points early and force the Bucs into some trouble with their speed on defense.

The Colts are 9-2 all-time on Monday night and I predict they get into double digit Monday night wins on Monday.

Colts 23, Buccaneers 21