NFL Picks Week 4: Who Will Win Colts vs Bucs Monday Night Football?

The Indianapolis Colts have been reduced to a bottom-feeding club without Peyton Manning, but can their hunger for victory lead them to their first win over Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers?

It would be a lovely story if they could pull it off, but I don't think they will and here's why.

Tampa Bay, a team that many were extremely high on before the year, has too much youthful talent on both sides of the ball. 

They haven't been necessarily crisp in their first three games, but their quarterback, running back and receiving corp are just as hungry to look like a legitimate contender in front of their home crowd (is this game sold out?) on national television. 

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will terrorize both tackles throughout the evening, you can count on that.

Love those two, they are full-go on every play.

But what else do the Bucs have to game plan for, honestly?

With Curtis Painter throwing the football the talented Colts receivers are just average.

Joseph Addai ran hard last week against the Steelers, but can he single-handedly win the game for Indianapolis?

I'm not trying to totally bash the Colts here; they have some good players.

We've seen how important having a quality quarterback is in today's NFL that has become more of a passing league than ever before, and Indianapolis simply doesn't have one right now.

Their offense is watered down and defenses are facing them with a new confidence that's usually nowhere to be found when Manning's behind center.

Josh Freeman is very poised in the pocket and I am not sold on the Colts secondary.

Mike Williams won't be held in check all season.

Tampa will pound LeGarrette Blount, use simple play-action passes and screens to wear down Indianapolis and let the Colts quarterback make mistakes.

It could be close early, but I think the Buccaneers take care of business tonight, 24-14.