Curtis Painter continues to unexpectedly impress at Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs blew a coverage on the strong side when Curtis Painter dropped a pass in a dead zone to Pierre Garcon. Garcon then broke an Aqib Talib tackle to go the distance down the sideline for the score. It appeared Talib did not get back to cover the deep half of the zone, limiting his angle to the ball and opening up the sideline for Garcon.
Painter’s 87 yard TD pass is one yard longer than Peyton Manning’s longest regular season touchdown. The play was challenged by Raheem Morris when it looked like Garcon came close to hitting the sideline and going out-of-bounds. But for the second straight time tonight on a touchdown/out-of-bounds toss-up, the Bucs and Morris failed to overturn the official’s call (an Arrelious Benn TD was called back to end the first quarter when it was ruled he stepped out).
The quick strike came after a Michael Koenen punt pinned the Colts inside their own five yard line. In a 10-0 hole, the Bucs offense must step up and respond to Painter’s surprising first half performance.