The Indianapolis Colts systematically collapsed over the course of another nightmare second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In fact, it was essentially the Titans loss from several weeks ago, but with less fanfare.
There was no singular play as jarring as the Carson Wentz flip-terception, but Eric Fisher’s blown block certainly led to an equally ghastly turnover. There was no screamin’ Mike Vrabel, but a cool-and-collected Tom Brady was still enough to remind us of New England and the Bad Old Days.
And then there was the ending, as twist-filled as any horror show.
For whatever reason, Indy completely deemphasized Jonathan Taylor throughout this contest, one week after he found the end zone five times in Buffalo and changed the MVP conversation. Perhaps it was the 17-7 second-quarter lead that made them cocky, but any fan knows it takes brains as well as bravado to take down Tom Brady.
Indy certainly seems to have gotten ahead of themselves, watching a 24-14 halftime advantage eventually ballon to 31-24 in the other direction. A late, Taylor-led drive equalized things yet again, but this game ended with the ball in Brady’s hands, as the greatest of all time led a methodical drive capped by a fourth Fournette score.
On this game-wining (game-losing?) touchdown, Andrew Sendejo stood out. The underperforming safety had Fournette behind the first-down marker, but wrapped up nothing but air, allowing the burly back to escape and salt this one out.
Colts safety Andrew Sendejo’s blown tackle on Leonard Fournette was frustrating.
If only Isaiah Rodgers’ kick return had been a bit longer. If only Fisher hadn’t broken down a pocket prematurely. If only Taylor had been utilized properly…you know, the exact game plan that Indy figured out last week, seemingly thrown off entirely by a toothless Vita Vea.
If only those three things had happened, we might not be harping on a 34-year-old safety having no idea what to do with one of the league’s nastiest power backs.
Alas, we’re stuck here, picking up the pieces of another loss that should’ve been a win.
Four hours ago, the Colts were the team that nobody wanted to play. Now, they’re 6-6 and searching for answers like Sendejo on the turf — answers we thought they’d found a week ago!
The analysis will come later. For now, we’re just wrapped up in the frustrating moment that officially ended this back-and-forth battle.
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