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Only with a defensive scheme like the one employed by Matt Eberflus can you give up a career record in passing yards for the first half to your opponent’s quarterback and still have one of the best defensive halves of football Indianapolis has seen in a long time.
Linebacker Darius Leonard is having what might be the best game of his entire career with five first half tackles, 2 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, two near sacks (one that led to intentional grounding), and a tackle for loss. Rookie safety Khari Willis currently leads the team with 6 tackles and has been an active member of the first half defensive effort. Justin Houston picked up his ninth sack of the season in the first half.
It has been very nice watching Chase McLaughlin look very comfortable kicking the football. I have experienced the least anxiety during a game in a long time for something so simple as an extra point attempt.
The Colts will need to get something going on offense if they hope to win this football game. They have a 27-1 lead but the Bucs defense has held Indianapolis running backs to under 2 yards per carry. Jacoby Brissett has a couple of deep pass connections but only 6 completed passes in the half.
It feels good to have the lead but there is a lot of game to play and Frank Reich will have to put together a better second half offensive game plan to close this one out. Well, that or we just need the Colts defense to keep making it easy for the offense.