Colts look for third straight win, take on rising Bucs

Tampa Bay has won two straight behind extremely strong play from rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, the youngest quarterback in the league. “They did a good job defensively, We didn’t do enough to win this ballgame, so that’s the story of the game”. They also made a awful leaping call on Chris Conte on a fourth-quarter field goal, though he could have been flagged for roughing the holder, giving the Colts a second chance at scoring a touchdown. He found Hilton again from three yards out for his third consecutive start with at least two touchdown passes, the first time that’s happened since 2007 when he was Seattle’s starter. He has completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,440 yards and nine TDs with just two interceptions (for a 97.8 rating) in the six games since, and Tampa Bay is 4-2 in that span to climb squarely into the NFC playoff picture. Hasselbeck joined Warren Moon (1997-98) and Brett Favre (2009) as the only quarterbacks in their 40s to win four starts in a row.

The Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo has been ruled out today due to injury so Hasselbeck’s protection could take a hit as a result.

“I don’t know how many more opportunities any of us are going to have”, said embattled head coach Chuck Pagano.

We could also talk about generating pressure on Winston, but that sounds like a broken record and not something we can expect to get better anytime soon. I’m a half-full guy. After an opening day debacle against the Titans, Winston has morphed into the playmaking passer we saw at Florida State.

Hilton came into the game with 45 catches and 724 yards along with three touchdowns. The Buccaneers are set to receive to start the second half.

A win over the Colts and the Bucs can ratchet up that playoff discussion even more, especially with Atlanta coming to Tampa next Sunday.

Doug Martin had 14 carries for 97 yards and caught 1-of-3 targets for one yard in the Bucs’ Week 12 loss to the Colts. Johnson needs 35 yards receiving to move into the league’s top 10, and Vinatieri will tie John Carney for No. 9 in NFL history with 301 games played.

So when Tampa Bay’s second-year receiver faces “America’s Team” for the first time Sunday, it’ll be special for him in a different way. But that would take him out of right tackle, where he has played well. The Colts were lucky that Devonta Freeman was knocked out of last week’s game, and Martin definitely presents a challenge for the run defense.

And while Winston would love to show he’s ready for prime time, Hasselbeck would settle for demonstrating he’s not past his prime.