The Colts hope to make a playoff push by improving their home record against the Buccaneers.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts returned to the playoff picture with victories over the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots in Germany.
To stay there, they’ll have to figure out how to play like the home team when they’re in Indianapolis.
The Colts’ odd season has included a 1-4 record at Lucas Oil Stadium. They’ve gone 1-10 at home in the last 13 months, with numerous close calls and explanations ranging from bad luck to poor execution.
“In a couple of these home games, some things just didn’t go our way.” “We’re leaving the word ‘calls’ out of it,” said linebacker Zaire Franklin. “Look, I think we’ll be able to put together a good performance and hopefully come away with a victory Sunday.”
Whatever the reasoning, there’s little doubt about what’s gone wrong recently or when it started — with Las Vegas’ last-second field goal on January 2, 2022.
Instead of clinching a playoff spot that day, Indy was eliminated from the postseason the following week with another loss. Since then, the team has suffered four divisional losses, including an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams earlier this season, as well as blown leads in the final two minutes against Washington and Philadelphia last year, as well as Cleveland last month.
The good news this week is that Indianapolis hosts Tampa Bay (4-6), which has struggled as much on the road as Indy has at home recently. The Buccaneers have lost three straight road games, dropping them to 1-5 and jeopardizing their two-year reign as AFC South champions.
Three of the Buccaneers’ next four games will be played away from home.
“I think everybody understands where we’re at right now,” said Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield. “Yes, there’s a little more emphasis on each game, but that should be the case every week — you should be trying to win.” Right now, there needs to be a singular focus on finding a way to beat Indy on the road.”
The Colts are equally fired up.
“We are right in the mix,” said 2021 NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor. “To be able to rally guys together and focus — all is not lost here.” Not at all. Everything we desire is still right in front of us. It will be up to us in this locker room to band together.”
RACE IS CRUEL
Despite their current three-game losing streak after a 3-1 start, the Buccaneers are only one game behind NFC South leader New Orleans.
The game on Sunday is the second of four road games in a five-game stretch, and coach Todd Bowles said his team is still optimistic with four division games remaining.
“I think our older guys are confident, but we have a lot of young guys on this team, so they weren’t even here last year,” he added. “It’s a completely different year, and a completely different group of guys. We must scrap and fight for everything we obtain. We recognize this and are prepared for it.”
MISSING PART
Shaquille Leonard, a three-time All-Pro linebacker, was released by the Colts earlier this week. And it will be different without the fan favorite.
While the large poster of Leonard on the stadium facade bears a new message — “Thanks for the memories” — Leonard’s former teammates will miss what the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year brought to the field.
“Those signature sounds — when you can’t see him, but you hear it and you know that it’s Shaq right there,” Taylor went on to say.
PRODUCTIVE TEAM
Calijah Kancey, a rookie defensive lineman, and Yaya Diaby, a rookie linebacker, are demonstrating why the Buccaneers selected them in the first and third rounds, respectively.
Kancey, who was expected to start on draft night, missed three games and most of a fourth due to a calf injury that kept him out of action for the majority of training camp. Diaby’s importance has grown throughout the season.
They have 13 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, six sacks, and 35 pressures between them. Diaby had two sacks last week against the 49ers.
“Obviously, he’s a very good football player, and he’s coming on like gangbusters,” Bowles said of Diaby. “It’s hard to keep him off the field, and he’s getting more and more time.”
