Tampa Bay Buccaneers seek first road victory of 2021 at Indianapolis Colts

After ending their two-game losing streak with an impressive Monday night win over the New York Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head back out on the road for a Week 12 date with the Indianapolis Colts.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s game:

TOP STORYLINES

Road test

The Bucs are undefeated at home this year, with all three of their losses coming on the road. Whether it was a quality opponent like the Los Angeles Rams, or inferior ones like the New Orleans Saints and Washington Football Team, Tampa Bay simply hasn’t played like the defending Super Bowl champs away from Raymond James Stadium. Being able to win on the road was a hallmark of last year’s epic title run through the postseason, and the Bucs will need to rediscover that same magic if they want the 2021 campaign to end in a similar fashion.

Is Lawrence being utilized correctly?: Jaguars' Urban Meyer wants more creative play-calling, run-option for Trevor Lawrence

Not a Long shot: Dolphins rookie Hunter Long could see action vs. Panthers with Adam Shaheen unlikely to play

Watch Dolphins-Panthers: How to watch Miami Dolphins vs. Carolina Panthers on TV, streaming

Arians returns to Indy

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians is already plenty familiar with Lucas Oil Stadium, having spent multiple stints with the Colts’ coaching staff earlier in his career. That included the 2012 season, when he took over as Indy’s interim head coach while his good friend, Chuck Pagano, underwent cancer treatment. Arians led the Colts to a 9-3 record, helping them make the playoffs and making him the first interim head coach to win the AP’s NFL Coach of the Year Award. "It's always fun to go back,” Arians said earlier this week. “I hate to go back and play against friends. I really love the Irsay family, they were great to me. It's nice in that regard, but I never like playing against friends."

Injury updates

Just like they have all season, injuries could play a key role for the Bucs again this week. Mike Evans (back) and Devin White (quad) were new additions to the injury report this week, but they’ve been making progress in practice and are expected to play Sunday. Vita Vea (knee) is also likely to return from a one-game absence, but Antonio Brown (ankle) might have to wait at least one more week before getting back in the lineup. Scotty Miller (toe) was activated from injured reserve earlier in the week, so he should make his first appearance since Week 3. Ali Marpet (abdomen) feels like a long-shot to play Sunday, but Rob Gronkowski (back) is practicing fully and appears to be back to full strength.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor vs. Bucs’ front seven

The NFL’s leading rusher by a mile, Taylor is coming off a five-touchdown performance in a blowout win over the Buffalo Bills, establishing himself as one of the most dominant runners in the league. Tampa Bay’s normally impenetrable rush defense has been leakier than usual over the past month, so they’ll have to tighten things up this week for their toughest test of the season to date. The fact that injuries shouldn’t keep White or Vea out of the lineup should help the Bucs’ cause.

Bucs QB Tom Brady vs. Colts’ defense

The Colts are tied for the NFL lead with 25, and lead the league with a ridiculous plus-15 turnover differential. After throwing three interceptions through the first seven games of the season, Brady has tossed five picks over the last three games. Four of those interceptions from Brady came in back-to-back road losses, so the GOAT will have to iron out his turnover issues in a hostile environment Sunday. The Colts have given up the ninth-most passing yards in the NFL so far this season, though, so there’s success to be had if Brady can take care of the football.

Bucs’ offensive line vs. Colts’ defensive line

Tampa Bay’s stellar offensive line was back to their high level of play in Week 11, allowing zero sacks on 46 pass attempts, despite losing Marpet in the first half for the rest of the game. Aaron Stinnie will remain Marpet’s replacement at left guard if he can’t play Sunday, and though the Bucs know they can rely on him thanks to his impressive run at right guard through last year’s playoffs, he’ll face a tall task against DeForest Buckner, one of the NFL’s best interior defenders. The Bucs’ success on offense starts and stops with protecting Brady, so they can’t afford to miss a beat, even with perhaps their best blocker potentially out of the lineup.

Prediction

Monday night’s big win over the Giants was certainly a relief for the Bucs, but they’ve already proven they can win at home, especially against weaker opponents. What they haven’t proven is whether or not they can play mistake-free football on the road, especially against one of the NFL’s hottest teams. Their rush defense has been more porous than normal, and they’re facing the league’s most dominant back in Taylor. Overall, the Bucs are the more talented team, but they haven’t played up to their potential and expectations away from home. This might be the time they finally right the ship in that regard, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

Colts 27, Bucs 23

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Colts host Buccaneers at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium