bucks at colts
when: Sunday, November 26, 2023 | where: Lucas Oil Stadium | kick off: 1:00 PM ET | tv set: CBS
For each play: Spero Dedes | Analyst: Adam Archuleta | Side job: amanda renner
wireless: 98 Rock 97.9FM | For each play: Gene Deckerhoff Analyst: Dave Moore | Side job: TJ Rives
As game day approaches, it’s time for the Pewter Report staff to make their weekly game predictions and provide game previews for this week’s matchups. Let us know what you think in the comment section of the article. Please also add your predictions.
Scott Reynolds: Bucks’ downward spiral continues
Bucks OC Dave Canales and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Can the Bucks win five of their last seven games and advance toward the playoffs and the NFC South title? Yes, I can. But will it? That’s the real question.
Let’s take a step back and realize that the Bucks won four of their first 10 games. Eliminating expected losses to top teams like Philadelphia, Detroit, Buffalo and San Francisco, the Bucks have won four of six games against winnable opponents. That’s pretty much what they’ll have to do going forward, because the margin for error is very thin.
Compounding the problem is the departure of top tackler Lavonte David, one of the team’s best players, and the absence of cornerback Jamel Dean, making the task even more difficult. ing. Cornerback Carlton Davis III (hip) and inside linebacker Devin White (foot) were also hit hard and were called during the game. Even if one or both play, will they be able to finish the game in Indianapolis?
Todd Bowles’ defense has had to don the superhero mantle every week this season, but the defense is really hurt at this point, with rookie inside linebacker Sarvosia Dennis and rookie safety Kayvon They may have to rely on Merriweather and a few other young players, including rookies. cornerbacks Josh Hayes and Keenan Isaac; Indianapolis’ offense has never been strong, especially with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew at the helm. But one misfit in the running game could lead to a Jonathan Taylor touchdown, and one missed coverage could lead to a Michael Pittman Jr. touchdown.
Will the Bucks’ offense, which has struggled to score points all season, step up and save the day? Due to self-inflicted penalties, drops, and turnovers, the offense has yet to prove itself worthy of donning the superhero mantle. The Bucks should win this one, but it feels like it’s going to be a disappointing loss. It’s the team’s sixth in the last seven games.
Reynolds game prediction: Colts 23, Bucks 20
Reynolds season record: 7 wins, 3 losses.
Matt Matera: Bucks pulled together to win despite injuries
Bucks WR Mike Evans – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucks will be a little short-handed going into this game against the Colts, as many of their top defensive players will be out. Inside linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Jamel Dean will be sidelined. That means the Bucs will either have rookie inside linebacker Sarvosia Dennis lined up next to Devin White (if he can play through his foot injury) or third-year player KJ Britt will also get some playing time. Become.
The Colts want to move the ball with Jonathan Taylor, and playing White and an inexperienced linebacker who struggles to get out of blocks is a great fit for Indy. Because of this, Tampa Bay will need big plays from inside defensive linemen Vita Vea and Kariya Kanshi. If they can limit the number of times their running backs go up to the second level, the Bucs will be at a better advantage if Gardner Minshew has to throw consistently.
I hope the Bucs defense stacks the box to stop the corner man-to-man runs. Big plays hurt Tampa Bay last week, but we’re talking about the 49ers vs. Colts offense here. The player I want to keep an eye on is wide receiver Josh Downs. Although he is smaller in size, he is very fast. The Bucs have struggled with those receivers lately.
The Bucks’ offense has started to come together over the last three weeks, and the 14 points against the 49ers doesn’t tell the whole story. They have been consistently moving the ball, only making terrible mistakes in getting to the red zone. They need to be eliminated, but other than that, just follow the game plan to the letter.
Everyone wants Mike Evans to get a few more targets, but overall Baker Mayfield needs to avoid turning the ball over. Continue to set up the passing game with Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rashard White. Try to combine several different runs and find ways for others to contribute if possible. The Bucks could keep the NFC South race interesting with a win on Sunday.
Matera Game Prediction: Bucks 20, Colts 19
Matera’s season record: 7-3
Bailey Adams: Bucks offense leads path to one-and-done victory
Bucks RB Rathard White – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucks have a mediocre record of 4 wins and 6 losses, but are still aiming for a playoff spot. The NFC South title is well within reach, and a win over the Colts on Sunday and a Falcons win over the Saints would actually leave Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Atlanta tied for first place in the division with six games remaining. You will be lining up at
But can the Bucs beat the Colts? The defense has delivered wins over the Vikings, Bears, Saints and Titans, so it may be difficult to repeat the formula that brought them four wins. It’s very exciting right now as the team heads to Indianapolis.
The Tampa Bay defense could be missing four starting pitchers on Sunday, so that unit could lead the team to victory even against the inconsistent Gardner Minshew and a Colts offense that scored just 10 points. I hesitate to think so. The previous time he was in a three-week timeout after he scored over 25 points in a burst.
So for the Bucs to stay in division contention at 5-6, Dave Canales’ offense will need to do what it hasn’t done all year: win one game against the team. The offense played well enough in Tampa Bay’s win. But Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneer offense need to get the team together and score points. They could be the reason the Bucks win this week, as they could struggle with major injuries, and the defense needs to step up.
you know what? I think Mayfield can do it. Let Rashard White get the ball in space, let Mike Evans and Chris Godwin do what they have to do, let Trey Palmer and Deven Tompkins make big plays, and protect the football. By doing so, you can give your defense the aspect of “doing just what is necessary.” If they do that, I think Tampa Bay can win a close game. If not, it’s probably time to retire this team. That’s because even though they would still be ahead mathematically even if they lost here, they haven’t proven they can win consistently enough to escape.
Adams’ game prediction: Bucks 31, Colts 28
Adams’ season record: 6 wins, 4 losses.
Josh Quapo: Bucks offense revitalizes to win important win
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and OC Dave Canales – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Believe it or not, the Bucks’ offense is close to being good. Heading into Week 12, they rank in the middle of the pack in EPA per play and are seeing positive metrics in just about every aspect of that side of the ball. The play-calling has improved, Baker Mayfield is playing better overall at the quarterback position, and the running game saw some improved runs last week against a very solid 49ers defense. showed.
If each of these aspects can simply reduce one to three grueling reps in each game, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tampa Bay’s offense suddenly becomes a top-10 unit in the NFL. And I think it starts on Sunday.
Defensively, it will be even more difficult. With Lavonte David, Devin White, Jamel Dean and possibly Carlton Davis III likely out, this underperforming unit will likely struggle again. The Colts have multiple playmakers in Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, allowing them to take advantage of a vulnerable back seven.
But Tampa Bay will be able to prevent Indianapolis from doing what it wants to do most: run the ball in what could be an amazing shootout. I see the Bucs getting a key turnover from Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew to secure the win and keep the Bucs’ playoff hopes alive.
Quipo’s game prediction: Bucks 34, Colts 27
Queipo season record: 7-3
Adam Slivon: bucks do just Good enough to win at Indy.
It will take a lot for the Bucks to pull off a win against the Colts on Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis. With the status of many defensive starters up in the air, it’s up to the Colts to step up and contain the Colts’ offense, led by Gardner Minshew, Jonathan Taylor, and top receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. It will take a concerted effort from several young players.
Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minshew didn’t appear on the stat sheet, but he took over the reins of a team that scored 24.2 points per game. Since Taylor returned to action, he hasn’t quite returned to his previous form, but he’s still more than capable of breaking up big games.
The Bucks will have their hands full with Pittman and Downs being limited, especially if Carlton Davis III is ruled out by Jamel Dean. After that, it’s up to Zion McCollum and Josh Hayes on the perimeter. Injuries on defense extend to inside linebackers, so the team will likely be counting on Devin White to be injured and Lavonte David also out.
If the defense can perform well enough, the offense could be ready to make a big splash. The Colts are giving up 24.8 points per game, and despite Zaire Franklin’s impressive performance (117 tackles) and pass rush (30 sacks), they tend to give up a lot of points. The Bucks have shown promise offensively in recent weeks, but haven’t been able to fully deliver.
The Colts are allowing 129.7 rushing yards per game, so this will give the offense a more balanced game. That being said, I look for Rathard White to have more success on the ground and allow Baker Mayfield to earn a spot and have a better game this season. It’ll be close, but the Bucks should pull through and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Slivon’s game prediction: Bucks 27, Colts 21
Srivon’s season record: 8 wins, 2 losses
