It wasn’t pretty, but in the end, the Bucs pulled out a seven point victory over the winless Colts. The Bucs took their first and only lead of the game with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. That was all they would need, as the Curtis Painter-led Colts were unable to answer the LeGarrette Blount touchdown, quickly going three and out.
The Bucs would not give the Colts another chance, icing the game with Blount and a fourth and an inch QB sneak by Josh Freeman.
The sneak was set up by an incredible effort from Blount, who appeared to be tackled in the backfield, well short of the first down. But Blount spun out of a Tyler Brayton tackle, dragging three Colts to within an inch, less than one chain link, of the first down marker. Raheem Morris would opt to go for it instead of giving the ball back to the Colts. The 6’5, 248 pound Freeman was able to push forward for the first down inch, finishing off the game.
It was a sloppy game full of missed opportunities, but the Bucs slowly wore down the Colts, completely controlling the second half save for one big play to Pierre Garcon.
They improved to 3-1 and are tied with the New Orleans Saints for first in the NFC South. They now travel across country to face the surprising 3-1 San Francisco 49ers, who are coming off a thrilling upset win on the road over the Eagles.