Week 5: At Indianapolis Colts
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The Buccaneers faced former head coach Tony Dungy for the second time. The previous meeting between the two teams in 2003 saw the Colts erase a 21-point deficit in the final four minutes to win the game in overtime. Both teams entered the game with players sidelined by injuries. Marvin Harrison and Joseph Addai sat out for Indianapolis, while Carnell Williams and Luke Petitgout were placed on injured reserve for Tampa Bay.
The Colts controlled the tempo of most of the game, with a time of possession of over 38 minutes and 400 yards of offense. The Buccaneers were held to only 177 total yards and only 17 yards rushing. The first three Buccaneers possessions were 3-and-outs. Meanwhile, Indianapolis pulled out to a 13-0 lead. In the second quarter, Tanard Jackson intercepted Peyton Manning and set up the Buccaneers' first scoring drive. During the drive, running back Michael Pittman left the game with an injured ankle. Two plays later Tampa Bay got on the board with a Jeff Garcia touchdown pass to Alex Smith, and narrowed the score to 13-7.
In the second half, Indianapolis continued to dominate both sides of the ball, and stretched their lead to 30-7. Garcia and Smith connected for a second touchdown pass with just over 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and made the score 30-14. Hoping to spark a comeback, Tampa Bay attempted a surprise onside kick, but it was called back by a penalty. Indianapolis then took the re-kick, and put three more points on the board with an Adam Vinatieri field goal. Bruce Gradkowski took over as quarterback for Tampa Bay, and subsequently threw an interception to seal the victory for the Colts.
The following day, on Monday October 8, the Buccaneers announced that Michael Pittman would miss 6–8 weeks with a cracked fibula.
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Team | Time | Scoring play | Score |
| 1 | Ind | 10:19 | 10-yard TD pass from Manning to Clark (Vanatieri kick) | Ind 7-0 |
| 2 | Ind | 14:53 | Keith 1-yard TD run (kick blocked) | Ind 13-0 |
| 2 | TB | 6:43 | 3-yard TD pass from Garcia to Smith (Bryant kick) | Ind 13-7 |
| 2 | Ind | 0:00 | Vanatieri 27-yard FG | Ind 16-7 |
| 3 | Ind | 7:23 | Keith 7-yard TD run (kick blocked) | Ind 23-7 |
| 4 | Ind | 14:57 | 9-yard TD pass from Manning to Wayne (Vanatieri kick) | Ind 30-7 |
| 4 | TB | 9:21 | 3-yard TD pass from Garcia to Smith (Bryant kick) | Ind 30-14 |
| 4 | Ind | 2:53 | Vanatieri 35-yard FG | Ind 33-14 |
Read more about this topic: 2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season, Regular Season Game Summaries
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