Bucs-Colts Pulse: A capsule preview of this week’s game
The 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck will be the third straight backup quarterback the Bucs have faced. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS By Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff , Roy Cummings | Tribune StaffPublished: November 28, 2015Here’s a quick look at Sunday’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts.Kickoff: 1 p.m. Sunday, Lucas Oil Stadium, IndianapolisTV: Fox, Ch. 13Radio: 620 AM; 95.3 FM; 103.5 FMRecords: Bucs 5-5, Colts 5-5**THREE KEYS TO VICTORYDON’T GET COMPLACENTBucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy still hadn’t taken his pads off after the win over the Eagles last Sunday when he began to warn teammates about the dangers of becoming complacent. Smart move by McCoy. The Bucs are only a .500 team, but reaching that level of mediocrity and winning back-to-back games were goals so elusive for this team, that there’s a chance it could actually relax and play as if it had suddenly figured out how to win consistently. That’s not to say they haven’t. The Bucs have clearly played their best football in years the past few weeks, but they have to keep in mind the focus, determination and execution that was required to win those games and reach that level. This is no time for this team to think it can just throw its helmets out on the field and win. Do that, and the Bucs are sure to lose.HASSLE HASSELBECKThe Bucs face a backup quarterback for the third time in as many weeks, but Matt Hasselbeck is not your everyday backup. He’s a savvy, 16-year veteran with more than 100 starts who still has the ability to pick apart a defense with short, accurate throws. He’s 40 years old, however, and often looks it when he’s blitzed. In those cases, he’s shown a tendency this year to retreat deeper than he needs to and hold the ball too long. The Bucs have blitzed well, of late, thanks in large part to the improved play of their cornerbacks. There probably isn’t a blitz Hasselbeck hasn’t seen, but his ability to react quickly enough to avoid mistakes in those situations appears to have evaporated a bit. This is a weakness the Bucs can take advantage of with a weapon that has suddenly become one of their strengths.WORK WITH ALL YOUR TARGETSIf you think the Bucs have had trouble stopping opposing passing attacks this year, just look at the Colts. With very little in the way of a pass rush — they rank 30th in the 32-team league with 14 sacks — the Colts are allowing rival quarterbacks to pick them apart to the tune of 7.4 yards per pass attempt and 19 touchdown passes, which is only two fewer than the Bucs have given up. To the Colts’ credit, they have 13 interceptions, but their secondary remains quite vulnerable and the Bucs have the weaponry to take advantage. QB Jameis Winston has shown a great willingness to distribute the ball to a wide range of targets. If he continues to work the entire field to find favorable matchups, he should have little trouble moving the ball through the air. The key, though, will be to continue using all of his weapons, not just a select few.**FIVE QUESTIONS WITH ...Bucs receiver Russell ShepardQ: What went through your mind last week as you caught your first NFL touchdown?A: It felt like slow motion and it was definitely a surreal experience. It seemed like it took forever for the official to give the touchdown signal. I probably have seen it 200 times on replay already. If I would have dropped that pass, they probably would have had to walk me outside the stadium. Perfect play call, good pass ... I just had to do my part.Q: Do you miss your high school days playing quarterback?A: Yes, I miss touching the ball every play. What playmaker wouldn’t? Some of the better athletes in this league played quarterback when they were starting out.Q: What are you giving thanks for this week?A: I’m thankful for my family. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs in this league and one thing that has remained constant is the support of my family. My mom, my dad, my brother, my wife — they’ve all backed me up and wouldn’t let me get down on myself.Q: When is the last time that you literally couldn’t stop laughing, long and hard?A: I was watching the Bengals and Cardinals play on Monday night, seeing two of my fellow LSU Tigers play. Jeremy Hill scored the touchdown and Tyrann Mathieu was the guy trying to stop him. They ended up getting into it and it was a flashback of practice at LSU. That took me back to my LSU days and I couldn’t stop laughing seeing those two go at it.Q: Who was your favorite athlete growing up?A: It’s got to be (Arizona wide receiver) Larry Fitzgerald. To me, he’s a consummate pro, an amazing father and an amazing mentor. He’s a good person and I always like to look at how people treat other individuals. He’s a pro’s pro and I’ve got so much respect for Larry Fitzgerald.**KEY MATCHUPBucs RB Doug Martin vs. Colts ILB D’Qwell JacksonMartin is having an incredible bounce-back season. Running with power and agility, he is already on the brink of breaking the 1,000-yard rushing barrier with 941 through 10 games. Jackson will lead the charge against Martin — and he’s a formidable foe. The Colts’ leading tackler, Jackson is also one of their best tacklers, a sound technician who lowers his pads and plugs up the middle rush lanes. Jackson is quick enough to stay with a lot of Martin’s jukes, but Martin might have the edge when it comes to breaking tackles. Jackson is not a menacing physical force capable of delivering a big pop, so Martin could make some extra yards after contact. That has been one of Martin’s great strengths this year.** THE VIBEBucs coach Lovie Smith noticed it almost as soon as he took the field for the first practice last week. There was a little more bounce in his players’ step. Yes, the Bucs are feeling it. OK, so they’re only a .500 football team. It’s sad to say that stands as an achievement for this club. But the fact the Bucs had to go 4-2 in their past six games to reach that level is what has everyone feeling so good. Inside the locker room, a genuine feeling of confidence has begun to grow. It’s as if they figured out not just how to win, but how to avoid losing. Even better, the Bucs are suddenly a team that honestly believes it has a chance to make something special out of this season. One look at the standings tells you they’re not wrong.*****THE PICKSROY CUMMINGS: Colts, 23-19Bucs keep it close throughout, but take a slight step back in the end.IRA KAUFMAN: Bucs, 24-20Hasselbeck shows his age against Tampa Bay’s surging defense.
