The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished off a comeback to beat the Colts 24-17 on Monday Night Football, and in the process showed America what kind of team they have now. Sure, there were some mistakes. This is a young team and that is to be expected. But they fought back against adversity and walked away with their third win of the season. According to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, it was a statement win for the Bucs.
"I think we turned a lot of heads tonight," said running back LeGarrette Blount, who finished off his fifth career 100-yard rushing effort with a 35-yard scamper with 3:15 to play that gave the Bucs their winning edge. "I think we showed that the team we had last year wasn't a joke and that we can win a lot of games."
But it wasn't easy. The Bucs suddenly found themselves trailing one of the worst teams in the NFL. But they never got complacent and they kept fighting.
"We never feel like we're out of anything," said cornerback Ronde Barber. "Not with (quarterback) Josh (Freeman) and not with (coach/defensive coordinator) Raheem (Morris) calling the defense and guys on that side of the ball standing up and winning."
One of the improved aspects of the defense that they showed on Monday was their ability to generate sacks. They were last in the NFL in this category last year, but they had four on Monday Night Football. Just one of the many areas of this young Bucs team that continues to evolve right before our eyes.