TAMPA, Fla. — Josh Freeman and LeGarrette Blount reversed roles Monday night against Indianapolis.

Freeman picked up the tough yards, and Blount had the highlight play. Together, they helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their third consecutive game.

Freeman threw for 287 yards and a touchdown, Blount ran for 127 yards and a score, and the Buccaneers beat the Colts 24-17 in prime time.

Freeman, who ran for a touchdown early in the game, scrambled for a huge first down on the winning drive. Two plays later, Blount found a gaping hole, bounced to the outside and scampered 35 yards for a touchdown. He carried defensive back David Caldwell the final few yards before diving for the pylon.

Freeman wasn’t done with the dirty work, though. Needing a yard to move the chains, extend the drive and deny the Colts a chance to tie the game, Freeman picked up the first down on a fourth-and-1 play.

“It really wasn’t pretty the whole time, but that’s us,” Freeman said.

The Bucs (3-1) kept pace with New Orleans in the NFC South. The Colts fell to 0-4 for the first time since 1998, Peyton Manning’s rookie season. Manning has watched all four losses, unable to play because of a neck injury.

Curtis Painter started this one, filling in for injured backup Kerry Collins, who’s out because of a concussion, and played better than most expected.