Looking at Sunday’s matchup between the Bucs and Colts from a pure entertainment standpoint, this game had it all. There was an early quarterback change, an interception from an unlikely source and some key contributions across the board for the Bucs. Ultimately, it was not enough to piece together a win as they lost 27-20 to the Colts, but it did make for a more interesting game than last week. Here is a look at what was most impressive.

WR Mike Evans

Mike Evans started off hot with a nice highpoint catch on the Bucs’ first offensive drive. But after Baker Mayfield was briefly out of the game with an ankle injury, he returned and the offense cooled off. It took a while, but Evans got the offense going again with their first touchdown of the day.

Set up with a 1st & Goal from the 1-yard line, Mayfield found a wide-open Evans in the back left corner of the end zone. It was his fifth touchdown grab in six games and the 89th of his legendary Tampa Bay tenure, which put him 15th all-time among wide receivers.

But that wasn’t all Evans did to ignite the offense. Early in the fourth quarter, Mayfield rolled out and found his star wideout in the end zone for his second score of the day and ninth of the season. Evans had a big day and was by far the most impressive part of the offense. He is also just 150 yards away from reaching his annual 1,000-yard season.

CB Carlton Davis III

Bucs CB Carlton Davis III – Photo by: USA Today

Carlton Davis III recorded his most recent interception in Week 15 last season against the Bengals in the all-pewter uniforms. Maybe the Bucs should consider wearing them more often because when he wears them, he makes plays. He had another interception on Sunday that the team was able to capitalize on.

Not known for recording takeaways, Davis had a big, unexpected pick off Gardner Minshew on a third-down throw in the second quarter. The turnover gave the offense a short field to work with, and it turned into points to cut the deficit to 17-10.

Could this be the start of a breakthrough for Davis and the secondary in getting takeaways? It would make life a lot easier for the offense and would strengthen Davis’ case to remain in Tampa Bay throughout his current contract. As well as the interception, he tied for the team lead with 10 tackles and added two pass deflections.

RB Rachaad White

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

What a day for Rachaad White.

After weeks of making much of his impact as a receiving back, White showed he can run it as well with his best showing on the ground this season. He finished with 15 carries for 100 yards, a 6.7 yards per carry average. This included a 38-yard scamper along the right sideline in the fourth quarter.

On the day, it was an encouraging effort by White as he found more room to run than he really had all season. It was White’s second career 100-yard rushing game and after it’s been abysmal for most of the year, this game could serve as a much-needed turnaround for the Bucs’ rushing attack.

DL Calijah Kancey

Calijah Kancey is a dude, plain and simple. It is looking more clear every Sunday that the Bucs hit big with their first-round pick. Against the Colts, Kancey did a little bit of everything.

In the first half, he batted down a Gardner Minshew pass attempt and recorded a tackle for loss to begin the second half. In the fourth quarter, he had a key sack that helped lead to a Colts punt. On the day as a whole, he was consistent in closing the pocket and forcing Minshew to scramble and try to make plays out of structure. The rookie continued his impressive rookie season with another great showing.

OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Shout out to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. After being mostly an entry in the most disappointing column this season, Tryon-Shoyinka had a key sack on the game’s first drive, sacking Minshew for a nine-yard loss on third down. It was key to keeping it a tie game early.

This play gave Joe Tryon-Shoyinka four sacks on the season. After stalling out at that total in 2021 and 2022, time will tell if he can set a career-high if he can continue to get after the quarterback. He had some solid rushes throughout the day after the early sack, too, responding well to the Bucs starting Yaya Diaby in his place.