Colts shutout Buccaneers in second half for 25-12 win

The Indianapolis Colts overcame a small halftime deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 25-12.

The Colts extended their win-streak to three games this afternoon on the backs of their aged veterans. Matt Hasselbeck (40) played mistake free football while tossing a pair of touchdowns while Adam Vinatieri (42, and the oldest player in the NFL) drilled all four of his field goal attempts.

The Colts trailed by three at halftime, and gave up points on every Buccaneers drive in the first. Indianapolis looked like a completely different team out of the break. The Colts outscored the Bucs 19-0, and managed to find points on four of their six drives.

Both Donte Moncrief and T.Y. Hilton had their way with the Bucs secondary today. Moncrief, who is getting better each week, hauled in eight passes for 114 yards. He was particularly effective on third downs, earning the trust of his quarterback on crucial plays. Hilton had six receptions for 95 yards and both of Hasselbeck’s touchdowns.

Hasselbeck put in another solid game in relief of Andrew Luck. He completed 26-of-42 passing attempts for 315 yards.

The Colts struggled to run the ball all afternoon, but in the second half largely abandoned the run game and starting picking the Bucs apart. To their credit, the Colts even kept passing when they needed to burn clock and it ended with a game sealing touchdown.

Defensively, the Colts seemed lost in the first half but started dialing up the blitz to pressure Jameis Winston in the second. The Colts season long pass rush woes came to a temporary end as they finished with five sacks and 12 hits on Winston. Erik Walden was the team sack leader with two and even Trent Cole found his first of the season (which was essentially wiped out by a personal foul penalty after the play).

The Bucs had an outside chance to make it a close game but Winston, who had a solid outing overall, overthrew his receiver and a Dwight Lowery interception killed their hopes at a rally.

The win moves the Colts to 6-5, and kept them atop the AFC South. Up next the Colts will head east to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.