Not unexpectedly, the Colts (0-3) are near the bottom of most offensive categories in the league without Manning: 28th in points (15.3 per game), 29th in total offense (254.0 yards) and 27th in passing (164.0 yards). Kerry Collins hasn’t been the answer as he is completing 49 percent of his passes, which is last in the NFL, is No. 30 in QB rating, has lost three fumbles and been sacked five teams. He has yet to lead Indy to a touchdown in the first half this season. But Collins is not expected to play tonight because he suffered a concussion last week against the Steelers.

Former Purdue star Curtis Painter will get the first start of his three-year career. Last week he replaced Collins in the fourth quarter and was 5-for-11 for 60 yards and did lead a late TD drive to tie the game before Pittsburgh won on a last-second field goal. Painter had only played in two games in mop-up duty previously, those coming at the end of the 2009 season. He will face a Bucs defense that has given up a lot of yards (23rd in opponents’ passing and rushing yardage) but a solid 20.0 points a game (tied for ninth).

Tampa Bay has followed an opening home loss to Detroit with close wins over Minnesota, after trailing 17-0, and Atlanta. QB Josh Freeman is completing a career-high 67.9 percent of his passes but has thrown four interceptions, which is two shy of his 2010 total. Freeman is money on third downs, as he has the NFL’s best third-down completion percentage (89.3). He’s completed 25 of 28 passes for 256 yards. Indy’s defense is No. 29 in points allowed per game (28.0).

This is the first meeting between the teams since 2007. Former Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden will be returning to Raymond James Stadium for an NFL game for the first time since he was dismissed by the Bucs after the 2009 season. Gruden is of course a part of the MNF broadcast team.

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