Colts (6-6) at Bucs (5-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Buccaneers by 3
Colts’ keys to victory: The Colts would love to be able to establish the run early, but given the strength of the Bucs’ run defense, their best option will be to take to the air on offense. Easier said than done of course. While QB Jacoby Brissett has been a revelation this year for Indianapolis, his best receivers have been battling injuries. TE Eric Ebron is on injured reserve and WR T.Y. Hilton’s status remains uncertain because of a lingering calf injury. On defense, they’ll need DE Justin Houston to get after Bucs QB Jameis Winston. If they can put Winston on the ground early and often, the Colts could find a way to win.
Buccaneers’ keys to victory: The Colts, like the Bucs, have a top-10 rush defense while their pass defense ranks in the middle of the pack. You can expect Tampa Bay to stick to the passing game, which has been the bread and butter of this offense. But the offensive line will need to give QB Jameis Winston the time he needs to find the open receiver.
Matchup to watch: Colts DE Justin Houston vs. Buccaneers’ offensive line. Houston is a sack machine who causes nightmares for opposing quarterbacks and their offensive lines. When teams put pressure on Winston, he can make careless turnovers. The Colts will bring the pressure early and try to rattle him.
Who wins? The Bucs have been playing their best football of the season the past two weeks, and there’s no reason to believe they can’t keep the momentum going. This team is finally starting to click under new coach Bruce Arians.
Buccaneers, 34-17
Colts schedule
L . at L.A. Chargers . 30-24 W .... at Tennessee .... 19-17 W ......... Atlanta ......... 27-24 L ......... Oakland ......... 31-24 W ... at Kansas City ... 19-13
BYE
W ........ Houston ........ 30-23 W ......... Denver ......... 15-13 L .... atPittsburgh .... 26-24 L ........... Miami ........... 16-12 W .... Jacksonville .... 33-13 L ...... at Houston ...... 20-17 L ...... Tennessee ...... 31-17 Dec. 8 ... at Tampa Bay ... 1 Dec. 16 at New Orleans 8:15 Dec. 22 ....... Carolina ....... 1 Dec. 29 . at Jacksonville . 1
Bucs schedule
L .... San Francisco .... 31-17 W ...... at Carolina ...... 20-14 L ...... N.Y.Giants ...... 32-31 W .... at L.A. Rams .... 55-40 L..atNewOrleans..31-24 L Carolina (London) 37-26
BYE
L .... at Tennessee .... 27-23 L .... atSeattle .... 40-34OT W ......... Arizona ......... 30-27 L ..... New Orleans ..... 34-17 W ...... atAtlanta ...... 34-22 W .. at Jacksonville .. 28-11 Dec. 8 ..... Indianapolis ..... 1 Dec. 15 ...... at Detroit ...... 1 Dec. 21 ....... Houston ....... 1 Dec. 29 ....... Atlanta ........ 1