Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Indianapolis Colts Prediction, Preview, and Odds
It’s an interconference battle on the gridiron as a pair of teams trying to climb in their respective playoff races take the field in the Hoosier State. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the road as they make the trip to take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.
Tampa Bay was beaten 27-14 on the road by San Francisco in their previous contest last Sunday, though they did cover the line as a 13.5-point underdog. Indianapolis is coming off a bye week: they beat the Patriots 10-6 in a game held in Germany in their previous contest on November 12, covering the line as a 3.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Colts own an 8-7 advantage but the Buccaneers have won the last two meetings. That includes a 38-31 road win in the most recent matchup on November 28, 2021.
I've hit more than 45 parlays in the last few months, totaling over $56,982 in that span. That includes 15 wins since August 28 totaling $23,536! Looking for my Premium Picks? Don't miss out on another big payday!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trying to Get Back in Win Column
Tampa Bay lost for the fifth time in six games as they were knocked off on the road by San Francisco last week. The Buccaneers fell to 4-6 on the season and stood tied for second in the NFC South, one game behind the Saints for the top spot. They stood 11 in the NFC playoff picture: the Seahawks own the final wild card spot at 6-5. Against San Francisco, Tampa Bay never led in the game as they were down 7-0 after the opening quarter, 13-7 at the half and 27-7 after three quarters, leaving them too far behind to rally in the final stanza. The Buccaneers were outgained 420-287 in total offense, lost time of possession by a 30:51 to 29:09 margin and turned the ball over twice while failing to record a takeaway. Those numbers overshadowed that each team picked up 22 first downs in the game.
On the season, the Buccaneers are 13 in the league with an average of 227.8 yards per contest through the air and 32 in the league in rushing offense with 76.9 yards per contest on the ground. Tampa Bay is 23 in the league in scoring offense as they average 19.2 points per game while they are ranked 9 in the league in scoring defense by allowing 20 points per contest. Baker Mayfield is 226 of 350 passing for 2,389 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has been sacked 20 times while ranking second on the team with 139 yards on the ground. Rachaad White leads the team on the ground with 141 carries for 459 yards and four scores. Mike Evans (48 grabs, team-high 780 yards, seven TDs), Chris Godwin (50 grabs, 561 yards, TD), Trey Palmer (21 catches, 210 yards, two TDs), White (41 grabs, 354 yards, TD) and Cade Otton (34 catches, 303 yards, three TDs) each have more than 300 receiving yards on the season. Chase McLaughlin has connected on 17 of 17 extra points and 17 of 19 field goal attempts with a long of 57 this season.
Tampa Bay’s injury report has some big names on it heading into the weekend. Linebackers Devin White (foot) and Lavonte David (groin) along with cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle/foot) each failed to practice Wednesday or Thursday. Cornerback Carlton Davis (hip), Godwin (knee/elbow) and center Robert Hainsey (knee) each were limited both days. Watch for more information as the weekend progresses.
Colts Rested In Search of Third Straight Win
Indianapolis had the bye last week after coming back from Germany, where they beat the Patriots for their second straight win. The Colts improved to 5-5 on the season and stood third in the AFC South, two games behind the Jaguars for the top spot. They were ninth in the AFC playoff picture, one game behind the 6-4 Steelers for the final wild card spot. Against New England, the Colts took the lead and scored the only touchdown of the game on a one-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor on fourth down to cap a 14-play, 75-yard drive in the final minute of the opening quarter. Defense did the rest as that touchdown held up as the only points they would need on the day. Indianapolis was outgained 340-265 in total offense, gave up 21 first downs while picking up 14, lost the time of possession by a 34:25 to 25:35 margin but forced two turnovers while only committing one in the contest. The team did release linebacker Shaquille Leonard in a bit of a surprising move earlier this week.
On the year, the Colts are 18 in the league in passing offense with an average of 218.1 yards per game through the air while they are 10 in rushing offense with 118 yards per contest on the ground. Indianapolis is 9 in the league in scoring offense with 24.2 points per game while they stand 26 in scoring defense by allowing 24.8 points per contest. Anthony Richardson is 50 of 84 passing for 577 yards with three touchdowns and one interception while adding 136 yards and four scores on the ground. He was lost for the season with shoulder surgery sustained on October 8 against the Titans.
Gardner Minshew (163 of 256, 1721 yards, eight TD, six INT, 44 rush yards, two TD) is the signal caller for the rest of the season. Jonathan Taylor is second on the team with 85 carries for 323 yards plus two scores on the ground this season. Zack Moss leads the way with 133 carries for 617 yards and five scores this season. Michael Pittman Jr. is leading the team with 66 receptions for 677 yards plus three scores on the year. Josh Downs (43 catches, 523 yards, two TDs), Alec Pierce (18 receptions, 264 yards), Ashton Dulin (12 grabs, 168 yards) and tight end Kyler Granson (17 grabs, 175 yards, TD) are each over 175 receiving yards this season. Matt Gay is 25 of 25 on extra point attempts and 17 of 20 on field goal attempts with a long of 57 this year.
Predictably with a bye week behind them, the Colts have a pretty clean injury report. Cornerback Julius Brents (quad), tight end Andrew Ogletree (foot) and linebacker Grant Stuard (illness) didn’t practice Wednesday. Watch for further information.
Struggling with handicapping? Try our NFL Predictions!
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
Both teams are still in the thick of their respective playoff races. Tampa Bay is in it more because of how poor the NFC South has been while the Colts have been a pleasant surprise to this point of the year. With that said, there are still a lot of question marks on both teams in regard to whether they can make a push for the postseason. Tampa Bay has struggled against the pass, ranking 31st in that department, while allowing five quarterbacks to throw for at least 300 yards against them. After scoring at least 20 points in three of their first four games, the Buccaneers have reached that mark just twice in the last six contests. Indianapolis has their own issues but they are at home here. The Colts also have the ability to run the ball to set up the pass, which is bad news for Tampa Bay defensively. With the bye, Indianapolis is healthier and rested. Give them the edge in this contest.
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts -2.5
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
Tampa Bay comes into this game having stayed under the total in eight of their 10 games this season. The Buccaneers have stayed under the number in four of their five road games this season. Their lone exception was their 39-37 defeat to the Texans back on November 5. Indianapolis has gone over the number in six of their 10 games on the year. The Colts have gone over the number in four of their five home games, with at least 52 points on the board in each of the overs this season. With Indianapolis struggling a bit defensively, the Buccaneers might be able to get to that 20-point mark, helping this game over the number.
Prediction: Over 43.5
Chris King has been immersed in the world of professional and collegiate sports for more than three decades. Whether it's playing pickup games or being involved in organized sports to being a fan, he's checked all the boxes. From the NFL to arena football, the NHL to the KHL, the NBA to the WNBA to college hoops, and even MLB to the KBO. If it's out there, he's covered it and bet on it as well, as Chris has been an expert bettor in his career. Before joining Winners and Whiners back in 2015, his work appeared around the internet and in print. He's written books for Ruckus Books about college basketball, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and the World Cup. If you're looking for the inside track on hitting a winner, do yourself a favor and read what Chris has to say.
