NFL: Top 10 Performers in the October 3rd Tampa Bay-Indianapolis Game

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took their first lead of the game with 3:15 remaining left in the fourth quarter when running back LaGarrette Blount found a gigantic hole in the line and then bounced outside for a 35-yard scamper to take a 24-17 lead. With the win Tampa Bay (3-1) kept pace with the New Orleans Saints in NFC South while Indianapolis fell to 0-4 for the first time since 1998.

1. Running back LaGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay 25 carries for 127 yards and 1TD

Blount, who is a powerful young back, had nine carries for 62 yards in the fourth quarter. Blount gained 24 of those 62 yards after first contact.

2. Quarterback Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay 25-39 for 287 yards, 1 TD; 6 carries for 27 yards

Freeman is a top-10 quarterback who can win games either with strong arm or legs. Freeman also has enough savvy to stay tough in the pocket and will pick zones apart as he did against the Colts.

3. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy- 6 tackles, 5 solo, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback hits

4. Defensive tackle Michael Bennett- 5 tackles, 4 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss and 1 quarterback hit

5. Punter Michael Koenen, five punts, average 44 yards, 0 touchbacks, three inside the 20, and 2 punts returned for 0 net yards.

Koenen kept putting the Colts in precarious field position with his punting where he put three kicks inside the 20 yard line. The two punts that were returnable, the Colts didn’t get any yardage due in part to Koenen’s hang time.

6. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon- 2 receptions for 146 yards, average 73 yards per catch, 2 TD’s with a long of 87 yards.

Garcon racked up big yards after catch numbers against the Bucs. On his first reception, Garcon turned a short sideline pass into 87-yard touchdown play. Garcon then weaved his way through Tampa defenders for a 57-yard score on reception number two.

7. Wide receiver Preston Parker- 111 total all-purpose yards; 5 receptions for 70 yards 1 TD; 24 yards on 1 kick return; and 3 punt returns for 17 yards.

8. Linebacker Kevin Conner, Indianapolis-18 tackles, 14 solo tackles and 1 tackle for loss

Conner led the Colts in tackles.

9. Defensive end Robert Mathis, Indianapolis- 4 tackles, 4 solo tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback hits.

Mathis was the only one of the Colts two dynamic pass rushers to have an impact versus the Colts.

10. Tampa Bay’s special team coverage

Tampa Bay held Indianapolis to just 36 total return yards. The Bucs, who punted five times and kicked off five times, had just four kicks returned. The entire Colts return yardage came on two kickoffs.


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