Colts 25, Buccaneers 12
November 29th, 2015
When you play a solid football team like Indianapolis on the road — in late November — you need to be sharp to win.
Tampa Bay was not sharp today. Simple as that, as Lovie Smith would say.
Mike Evans? Jiminy freakin’ Christmas.
How many times is this guy going to flatten the Bucs’ offense with mindless drops in key situations? America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, threw him a perfect touchdown pass that Evans didn’t squeeze, didn’t even put his hands out for it, didn’t even attack the ball in the air like he’s taught.
As for Jameis, he has to learn how to throw a ball away instead of eating sacks. It wasn’t his best day, but certainly not horrible.
Tampa Bay’s pass defense was exposed. The pass rush was too often absent, and a smart quarterback like Matt Hasselbeck ate them for lunch, despite zero running game. Hasselbeck was wise enough to keep doing what was working, and the latest duo of starting Bucs cornerbacks, Sterling Moore and undrafted rookie Jude Adjei-Barimah, were victimized repeatedly.
And those costly and numerous Bucs penalties? Well, Joe will vomit and get back to typing.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:20 pm
You gotta take the good with the bad . Any fan that things this team is a playoff team does not know football this is a 7 win team simple as that
November 29th, 2015 at 4:21 pm
Pathetic. All 3 phases licked balls today.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:21 pm
We need Pass rushers, safety’s, CB, a speedy WR, an more Oline help.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:23 pm
Congrats to us, we made Matt Hasselbeck AFC Offensive Player of the Week at age 40. Another dominant performance by a backup against our soft defense. Pass rush is truly embarrassing.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:24 pm
2nd half gameplan got away from what we do…POUND THE ROCK!!
November 29th, 2015 at 4:24 pm
Undisciplined team, penalties galore and low Football IQ to get in playoffs. Not smart enough to get that edge. Teams can just wait until we make the mistakes to hurt ourselves. Dissapointed in the coaching staff and their adjustments. Leading the league in penalties for a reason. I don’t see a fix week after week. Get smarter players period.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:24 pm
Well I’ll be happy with a 500 season go bucs
November 29th, 2015 at 4:25 pm
Not much positive to take from this loss. The Bucs were in the game, but not really. Second half zero points says it all. A penalty on first play after half was par for the course. The Colts were the better team.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:26 pm
So if we had the chance of drafting Taylor Decker (OT Ohio St) or Shaq Lawson (DE Clemson) who would you take?
Im going with Shaq, the big guy can move fast for his size, he reminded me of Sapp in that game against my Gamecocks.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:26 pm
I’ve said in previous postings Hasselbeck was a crafty and smart vet. One could argue he is the best backup in the NFL He assessed early what he could do against our Bucs and continually made quick throws. Give him credit. Our Defense needed to play much better today. And we were not the better team.
We will get better in the red zone over time. Coulda Woulda..and Shoulda. All fodder for sports anal…list. We still can win 8 games this year.
Forward..March.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
Indy not as bad as their record. We didn’t play good in all three phases. Too many penalties too many dropped passes and too much pressure on our QB. Well at least we will get to see more posts again from Realest, Dallas Buc and Tmaxcon they haven’t been around all week.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
I blame this on the Oline and the secondary/pass rush. Just a pathetic showing especially by that Oline. Blargh
November 29th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
They looked like a Schiano Team after halftime. Came out limp, while the other team went in the locker room, ate, peed and made adjustments.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
We just got owned by a 40 year old qb. That’s just embarrassing. Evans drop hurt but our line play on both sides was awful. We could use 4 new starters up front on defense. Thanks for nothing but a waste of Sunday afternoon.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
No more DEs from Clemson MadMax
November 29th, 2015 at 4:28 pm
Hasselbeck ate up those simple zone defenses today. Did Lovie really think that would work against a wily veteran? Lovie should have gone with more man coverage and blitzed up the middle to disrupt the passing game. That was a very weak defensive game plan.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:28 pm
Offense was STAGNANT and our defense couldn’t find a way to get a stop when it counted! Hopefully we can bounce back strong from this loss at home next week!!
November 29th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
Playoffs are a long way away. They’ve got a lot of work to do and new players to acquire before they’re win more than 6 games a year. But we had that week at .500
November 29th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
Lol, I know Couch, but man that guy can move.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
I’m never going to understand why Doug Martin is shut down second half. And about the refs who cares. You never let the refs determine the outcome of a game. Still love my BUCS
November 29th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
I’m going to need therapy for the “leaping” flashback.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Joe well said. The posters are going crazy here. Give Indy some freaking credit.
They too are in the playoff hunt and wanted this contest as much as we did..
So…no holding call on Pamphile and there’s a score….Joe mentioned Evans drop anothere score.
We did not play our best game…far from it…and yet we were still in it. We were not embarrassed. No I’m not settling. Just pointing out that it’s the freaking NFL. You gotta have your A game or get embarrassed on the road. We had our C+ game and still had a shot.
A loss sucks and it’s depressing for sure. But this team has turned the corner.
Now if we could simply address the penalties.
Part of it is understanding that the refs are not going to give us any calls until we become a consistent winner. The call on Pamphile for holding was truly ticky tacky…meanwhile just a series later I see Gholston double teamed and both Colts had fistfuls of jersey yet no call.
The refs did not decide this game…we lost it on our own…but jeebus I’m really get sick of watching bad calls against both teams.
And Mike Evans might as well realize he has peoed the refs bigtime with his constant whining. I swear they have it out for him now.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
This was ugly all the way around. But the refs today were HORRIBLE!
Very seldom am I one to criticize refs but man – 21 holding? leaping? (even though he did run into the ‘holder’) etc etc etc…
Brutal loss… but its an AFC team so we can recover if we can win next week…
November 29th, 2015 at 4:34 pm
Mike Evans is the most overrated receiver I ever seen. Can’t catch for sh it
November 29th, 2015 at 4:34 pm
One thing that is clear though is we whiffed on not hiring Bill O’Brien or Mike Zimmer last year. Damn, too bad.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Out of all these comments I have read this far, you guys are freaking idiots!! The refs were freaking attrotious!! They gave a catch to a guy when I literally seen the ball hit the ground! Call holding on VJAX when he barely touched the DB! Called holding on pamphile on the touchdown when he just pushed him to the side! Screw this sorry arse league!
November 29th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
Our D was not great today but Hassleback made some GREAT throws today I mean great. Give him credit and to not to do that is just stupid. for example that one throw on 3rd and 4 in the 2nd quarter was just perfect. And again I will ask where was Gerald McCoy in the 2nd half when we needed a play to be made? That is our main problem on d, when have no pass rush. For those of you hating on Lovie again, no he is not perfect but you have to be kidding me with this “we need a new coach crap”.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
If you are surprised by anything that happened today, then you have not been paying attention!!!
November 29th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Im with u @Joe on that Mike Evans effort. He could have made that TD but instead jus gave up on the play. I’ve seen that ish way to many times from this kid. I’d honestly wouldnt care if we got a new receiver and jus ME13 walk after his contract if he is to keep this type of play going.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:39 pm
You’re the idiot SDbucfan! You cant let the refs completely dictate how you play the game!
We failed a lot and lost some calls to the refs….but our D lost A LOT!!! Only an IDIOT cant see that.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Bur i guess thats what happens when u idolize Randy Moss
November 29th, 2015 at 4:41 pm
Exactly ndog, Matt was playing like an all pro today…..says a lot about our Dback especially.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
bummed about the loss but not selling my bucs stock by any means. I think several of us were hopeful but skeptical with the playoff chatter. The team is playing hard, but we are still missing too many pieces to be a serious contender. I think we can find most of those pieces this off season. That, however, is a conversation for later. For now, lets see who keeps on playing hard now that the playoff carrot is gone. Then we’ll have a good idea of who should still be here when we start winning games like these.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
BucRealist
I call out cowardice!!! Where have you been. If you haven’t seen improvement in this team,..if you haven’t seen the love the players have for their coach you’re the sheep in the hate Lovie crowd. You’ve lost all freaking credibility.
Ndog made a great point…Hasseback played very well today. We snuffed their run game but of course you can’t give any credit.
I’m not going to resort to stupid name calling but really…you have NO CREDIBLITY ANYMORE.
This was a close game on the road against another team fighting for a playoff.
We didn’t play our best game but it wasn’t that poor.
Again it’s the NFL…we need to make a freaking play when it’s there…I’m looking at you Mike Evans.
#3 was not bad but he clearly did not have his best game. But he DID protect the ball.
We just got whipped today. Should have made it a better game with an Evans catch and no stupid holding call on Pamphile.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
Why don’t we ever qb sneak for 1 yard Jesus
November 29th, 2015 at 4:44 pm
JW was awful at adjusting protection today. We too many free blitzers which is on the QB to adjust. He’s a rookie and will get better with time, but a lot of the pressure was on him
November 29th, 2015 at 4:45 pm
Maybe we can unplug some of the playoff ticket printers that we’re going nuts last week. We are all starving for a winner again but way too many carts placed in front of the horses after beating the Eagles…who clearly have quit on Chip Belly. 7-9er sounds about right. (Cue the “but every other NFC team lost too”). Just stop it.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:45 pm
This stat sums up the game for me:
Doug Martin-
First half: 12 carries for 90 yards
Second half: 2 carries for 7 yards
Unless Doug was injured in the second half, Koetter failed miserably with the game plan today. Joe– please find out more information about this if you can.. Very winnable game today & likely season-changing loss.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:46 pm
the penalty on pamphile for holding during the TD run by martin really pissed me off, NO WAY!
November 29th, 2015 at 4:46 pm
I have a feeling Dougie got benched second half for missing a couple of blocks he should have at least slowed down. Needs to talk to Warrick Dunn about being small and blocking big!
November 29th, 2015 at 4:47 pm
And also stop the Koetter will be a “hot commodity” as well rhetoric. The same talk surfaced when Mike Sullivan had some mild success with Gosh Freeman.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Peewee Herman could look like an all-Pro QB when he knows his oline can hold and not get called. I wish they would abolish holding as a penalty. That said, Bucs showed their youth and rookie QB colors today. Not to mention injuries–any hater who mouths off about Gerald M. better avoid me. Now, I heard that both NO and Falcons lost today. So, nothing has changed in the NFC South (if that is correct). I still say 8-8 this year. Ain’t nothing wrong with them onions. Go Mighty Bucs!!
November 29th, 2015 at 4:48 pm
A smart Qb is going to beat us almost every time. We need to force turnovers to win games. We simply aren’t good enough to win without the other team giving us the ball. I think it is time to put #27 back in for #38. Lovie’s point has been made, but there is no way anyone can convince me he’s better than Banks. I doubt it will happen, but it should.
I’m rarely one to blame officiating, but that was as poorly officiated of a game as I’ve ever seen. Completely one sided. The offensive PI on Evans. The holding on Verner. The non-fumble on Bradshaw. The hands to the face (that was hands to the shoulder pads). The “leaping” call. The ticky tack hold on Pamphile on the TD run. The unsportmanlike penalty on Mankins. I could go on and on. Terrible calls, and while me still may have lost, they absolutely had an effect on the outcome of the game.
Mike Evans, catch the ball. Make a better effort on some of the other balls. He and Winston really don’t seem to be on the same page on the deep ball. I would definitely target Jackson a lot more. All he does is make catches.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Martin did not get used because we had too many 3 and outs. There simply weren’t that many opportunities. When you start the second half with a stupid penalty and face 1st and 20 from the 10 inside a loud dome with a rookie QB and an amped up defense geared to stopping the run..
The Colts adjusted the 2nd half. They took away the run and gave us the pass and forced #3 to beat them. He simply couldn’t pull it off.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:52 pm
Wow…you people really are horrible losers. Show a little sportsmanship.
The team did not play badly until the very end. Why? Because the Colts made adjustments. EVEN the head coach of the Colts said Tampa was a D@#$ good team in the locker room.
Honestly, I expected a loss this week. That’s what I predicted (right again). Now listen up:
WE WILL WIN THE NEXT 4 GAMES.
That’s right. We’ll end 9-7 and make the playoffs.
So stop your freaking belly aching.
Saying we sucked on all phases only makes you look ignorant, because they actually DID NOT do badly in all phases. There WAS a pass rush, as they clearly showed many times in replay. Martin DID run well. Jameis was NEARLY mistake free. Defense held them to field goals multiple times…deep in the red zone.
At any rate…I notice the trolls finally came out to post after a week long absence. Going to be nice when they go away for a month starting next week.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:53 pm
@orlbucfan
I they abolished holding penalties it would become unplayable. It works as much to our benefit as it does against us.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Bucs showed today that they are not quite good enough yet to take that next step. Got beat by a 40 year old backup QB. Bucs can beat the bad teams but not the average or good teams. Young guys need a little more time to learn and develope. Bucs need another good off-season of a good draft and good F.A. period. Jameis was very average today and some of his last passes were bad
November 29th, 2015 at 4:54 pm
@StPeteBucsFan
Exactly.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:56 pm
Our pass rush just is not consistent
November 29th, 2015 at 4:56 pm
StPeteBuc– I definitely respect your opinion but: 2 CARRIES! I actually think Chuck got more touches in the second half than Martin. The offense is drastically different when he’s not involved. Just my honest opinion from specifically observing the play selection today. Very very odd.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:56 pm
@BrianBucs
Overall, I agree. It’s what I’ve been saying. However, I DO predict 4 straight wins now, and if that happens they may well develop enough to beat the Panthers in the last game…which would be amazing. That would put us at 10-6.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:58 pm
It has taken me a bit to settle down and realize who we are. It has take taken a bit but I think I’m somewhat rational now. Observations;
– We miss Ali. the line calls and defensive penetrations came off the right side. Heal well and quick.
– Mike Evans is a good player, but far from great.
– Conner? Buehler….Buehler…..
– Draft. Next year if I hear one offensive player drafted I will need to buy a new tv.
– The Refs. I’ve watched some pretty bad officiating but this game was right there. holding on Pamphile?! The Conte call?! I could keep going but I think the NFL will need to address this big time in the off season. Those were some pretty good “homer” calls today. in a close game.
We’re better but far from competing for a play off spot much less winning. Another year, perhaps.
November 29th, 2015 at 4:59 pm
@BucBonzai
Exactly!!! Talk about freaking bandwagon fans. We’re finally competitive against another potential playoff team…on the road…against a veteran QB and all of the sudden we suck.
BTW Realist…I call total BS on you. YOU were the one who posted “rumors” that Lovie had lost the locker room. Again you’ve lost all credibility.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
All but one of our long runs was called back for holding, most of it of the phantom variety. Colts were holding and grabbing our receivers all day long, but only once was it called. Colts also not called for holding. There is no such thing as running into the holder–you ARE allowed to jump over a player as long as you do not land on a player, per NFL rule-book.
The Colts RB clearly fumbled at the goal-line and it wasn’t called. Our defense, OL, and Mike Evans were big fails today, but the bulk of the loss falls on the refs. If I’m a big money gangster I know I only need to payoff ONE REF to get huge returns.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Guys, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed this (don’t know how, it’s been this way for both seasons), but when we are in a situation where we are down and need points, Martin is always out. When in obvious passing situations, they like the threat of Simms catching the ball. Doug wasn’t benched, but we really didn’t run the ball consistently aside from the one big run and a couple 5 or 6 yard runs. You are looking way too far into this.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:05 pm
I think it is good for the guys. Pump the breaks off all the love they got after beating the trash in philly. We played exactly to our talent level today, caught some bad breaks (and calls) and lost to a good team on the road. As Joe rightly said, the colts are good, their QB today could be starting for half the league right now. Can’t make those type of mistakes and expect to win a game on the road.
Its exciting games remain meaningful into December. That is enough improvement for me this year. Over the off season JW will fix mechanics that are causing his accuracy issues. We can upgrade o-line, d-line 2ndary and get a freaking 3rd receiver. Next year and beyond we are in great shape. Fun watching them develop even if today was frustrating.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:09 pm
Joe, If you are going to criticize someone, criticize your boy McCoy. Will he ever show up for game? The referees were terrible. The Colts drives were sustained by bad calls from the referees.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:11 pm
The bandwagon rolled through some large jarring potholes, everybody hung on and is still hanging on.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:12 pm
@The Buc Trollist
Finally took your head out of the sand, huh? Might want to breath clean air while you can, because you’ll be burying your head again for the next 4 weeks.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:12 pm
@loggendontosay,
McCoy had a sack and wasn’t terrible by any means. The pass rush was there, but just not consistently. He didn’t have his best day, but he certainly wasn’t terrible. Then again, you and so many other ignorant fans aren’t happy unless he has 4 sacks and 10 tackles per game. As if any 3 technique does that. But continue on with hating on our best player. It’s funny.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:12 pm
BuccaneerBonzai: I hear you, but the refs call holding when they feel like it, or it’s convenient. That’s my bitch about it. I still say Bucs will go 8-8. I have no problems with that.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:13 pm
No halftime adjustments or perhaps the Colts made all the correct one’s and Lovie went back into turtle mode…. Where was Doug Martin in the second half??? I also wonder what excuse Mike Evans is going to throw out at us this week for another game where he simply looked like the reincarnation of Mikey clayton????
November 29th, 2015 at 5:13 pm
Does anybody besides me think that Joey Bosa would look great in red and pewter next year?
November 29th, 2015 at 5:13 pm
@Realist,
You can’t disappear for 2 weeks, then all of a sudden show up like you’re some messiah. Your act is so old. It’s now just coming across as pathetic. You’ve become sort of a circus act at this point.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:13 pm
Screen game was predictable and poorly executed. Most offense was vertical. Where were the drag routes? That would’ve kept their blitzes minimal. It had nothing to do with Jameis calling out protection. They simply sent more than we had. Even with only 2 receivers going out for a pass on one occasion they still overwhelmed us.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:14 pm
Was it just me or did it seem like the refs had it in their heads the Colts were going to win this game?
November 29th, 2015 at 5:17 pm
Got beat by a 40 year old backup QB.
A 40 year old who has won ALL OF HIS STARTS!!! Not just against us.
We are his 4th victim…he won 3 in a row coming into this game. He’s smart, experienced and he made some amazing throws today. Aside from that perfect 3rd down throw which was well covered and took an amazing one hand catch to complete…Hasselback didn’t get any more help from his receivers than #3 got.
In fact a couple of his guys dropped catchable passes.
If you watched the hurried, hits, sacks and tackles…Hasselback was just as harried as #3…he simply made better decisions.
Get REAL people….this was a wily vet against a rookie QB…Hasselback simply outplayed #3 and there’s no shame in admitting it. #3 has a higher ceiling IMO than Hasselback but Hasselback has been in the league for a long time for a reason. Stop denigrating the other team. BucBonzai is right. Some of us sound like sore losers. Hasselback simply outplayed #3 and that’s cool. Just another learning step for #3 and he’ll make the most of it. Part of our growth process.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
orlbucfan: yeah 8-8 is still possible as the Bucs will be playing some teams down the stretch with serious issues like the ATL, Aints, Lambs, a winnable home game vs the Bears and possibly a Carolina team that has already locked up the #1 seed and is in rest mode….. But they could also go 5-11 if the team continues these idiotic penalties. 5 games left and they are all winnable; something tells me that 7-9 seems about right but I hope you are right and they still find their way to 0.500….
November 29th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
unsportsmanlike conduct for “leaping” ?
i watched cam chancelor do it not once, not twice, but THREE FREAKIN TIMES in the superbowl without a penalty called.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
We blitz and leave corners on island. We play zone and can’t get to the QB. Its a lose lose situation. The Bucs have a talent problem on defense. Plain and simple!
Also, Smith got beat all day on by Mathis and other DE’s
November 29th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
@Brian
I like Bosa but I think he’s a top 3 pick. I don’t like him that much. There’s too much talent out there…I want to pick two DE’s and hope one of them develops into our franchise DE. If we have a draft like last year we might even find bookends and have two great DE’s. Wow what a DL we’d have.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:23 pm
STBF- you are totally right. JW was outplayed today. no shame in that. He is a rookie.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:26 pm
To me this is much like last year. We won’t make the playoffs and as such, I am hoping we lose the next 5. I want the highest pick we can get. L&L have been GREAT in the draft. It’s about next year
November 29th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Sorry fellas, I was on strike mission to do some snow skiing in Colorado, then rushed back to do the Family Turkey thing!!! next time I will post my itinerary!!!
Besides I give the sheep a day or two to at least enjoy meaningless wins against the leagues worst team before I reiterate my position on the head coach!!!
November 29th, 2015 at 5:29 pm
If you have to ref your own games, you are not playing well enough to win. Also, the harder you work, the luckier you are!
November 29th, 2015 at 5:29 pm
I don’t think we played very well, but we could have been in it to maybe pull out an ugly win with better reffing…I watched that PI called on us 5x – sigh – The top of the helmet catches Jamies on the chin no call – we’ve been called for that a few times…seriously how many times do you see holding called on the 1yrd line….and when you do its very blatant…there was an Obvious PI earlier in the game that wasn’t called…saying that, make a couple of kicks and catch a perfectly thrown TD pass…we have a chance to steal a win too.
Just tip your hat – they made some defensive adjustments that we couldn’t adjust to – Part of the learning process – we need an elite pass rusher and another corner but who in the league doesn’t? I still think we need more juice on offense
Go Bucs!
November 29th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
We lost? Had some hope there for a while.
November 29th, 2015 at 5:43 pm
@Realist,
You’re so full of crap. At no point does anyone on this site believe you. Isn’t it ironic how you just so happened to go skiing during our two game winning streak, and then amazingly come back the day we lose. As if there’s no Internet in Colorado. But really nice try.
November 29th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Hawaiian Buc is correct!!! In full disclosure I was “snowboarding” and not skiing!!!!
November 29th, 2015 at 6:30 pm
The realist was smoking the gonja and was too stoned to post. I am wondering if Joe was behind the Realist because he just stirs the pot with all the negative. He lives to be a hater. Need more wins for him to disappear.
November 29th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
@Buclife
Breckenridge was Cheech and Chong disneyland before they legalized!!! I can say that it is out of hand there!! The Summit County Sheriff was on some local talk/news show in the morning telling people how many home grown plants that they legally can have!!!