Baker Mayfield and his offense fell under the hits and pressures of the Colts defense. Indianapolis goes positive!
Indianapolis Colts (6-5) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7): 27-20
The Colts are going positive! Indianapolis offered itself a convincing victory against the Buccanneers. Sufficiently effective in attack with Jonathan Taylor (15 races, 91 yards, 2TD), the locals were mainly able to count on their defense.
By intercepting 1 time and especially sacking Baker Mayfield 6 times (20/30, 199 yards, 2TD, 1INT, 1 fumble), the Indianapolis defense made the opposing quarterback have a difficult evening. It was also a fumble recovered on a sack which gave the victory to the Colts.
Colts shoot first
The defenses dominate the start of the match. If both teams reach the red zone on their first series, they find themselves blocked each time and have to settle for a field goal (3-3).
The Colts accentuate this domination with an interception on Baker Mayfield. An opportunity that the attack does not let pass. Starting from the opponent’s 41 yards, Jonathan Taylor lets his legs do the talking with a 17-yard run then a second run for the touchdown (10-3)
The Colts increase their lead on the following offensive series thanks to the aerial game. Gardner Minshew (24/41, 251 yards, 1INT) lets his arm do the talking with big throws and finishes on the ground himself (17-3).
Tampa is revived by its defense which intercepts Minshew in its own 20 yards. 3 actions later, Mayfield finds the eternal Mike Evans all alone in the endzone for the touchdown (17-10).
The defenses got their hands on the ball again at the end of the half and Indianapolis was a little unlucky with a 59-yard field goal on the post just before halftime.
Baker Mayfield pressed in all directions
After a field goal from the Colts (20-10), the Buccaneers manage to come back to the score thanks to the inevitable Mike Evans (6 rec, 70 yards, 2TD). The aerial game continues the gains and number 13 is at the end for a new touchdown (20-17).
But Shane Steichen’s team is complicated to play and deserves its positive results. She proves it on the following series with a new touchdown from Jonathan Taylor. A drive marked by a superb play action called by Steichen on 4&1 at midfield. The coach sometimes fails, but his desire to move forward is also the reason why the Colts are up to 6 wins this Sunday.
At the end of the game, Tampa Bay once again gets closer to the end zone. Except that the Floridians are still stuck in the zone of truth and are satisfied with a field goal (27-20). On their last offensive series, Mayfield is sacked and loses the ball and the team’s last hopes of victory.
