Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills opened their 2023 preseason slate of games with a 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts in front of over 71,000 fans on Kids Day at Highmark Stadium.
Despite the likes of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs not playing on Saturday, the Bills still got some decent performances from players competing for roster spots come the regular season. This included quarterback Matt Barkley, who went 14-of-15 for 172 yards and two touchdowns in relief of Kyle Allen in the second half.
The Bills got off to a quick start in this game, as Dane Jackson was able to come up with an interception of Colts' first-round rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson deep in Indianapolis territory.
Two plays later, Bills running back James Cook found space to the outside and strolled into the end zone untouched from eight yards out to give Buffalo an early 7-0 lead.
The Colts' second drive of the game started off strong, but the Bills defense come up strong with a stop on 4th-and-1 to force a turnover on downs.
Late in the first quarter, the Colts failed to put up their first points of the game after getting kicker Matt Gay into field goal range. Despite being well within range to tack three points on the board, Gay pulled his kick and missed wide-left.
After taking the ball over into the second quarter, Allen drove the Bills down the field and into field goal range for kicker Tyler Bass. Despite the wind swirling at Highmark Stadium, Bass was able to put his kick through the uprights from 40 yards out to extend the lead to 10-0.
Right before the end of the first half, the Colts were able to utilize the two-minute drill to perfection, as Indianapolis scored its first touchdown of the day thanks to a one-yard run from running back Jake Funk. With three seconds remaining in the half, the Colts managed to cut the deficit to 10-7.
On Buffalo's opening drive of the second half, the Bills managed to get past midfield before an Allen pass went through the hands of wide receiver Tyrell Shavers and into the hands of Colts cornerback Darius Rush. The rookie corner then retuned it 52 yards for a touchdown to give the Colts the lead.
After a missed extra point from kicker Lucas Havrisik, the Colts had the advantage on the scoreboard, 13-10.
Following that drive, the Bills ended Allen's day to allow for Barkley to carry the offense the rest of the way.
Barkley's first drive was certainly a successful one, as he took the Bills back down the field and helped them grab the lead back again. Barkley capped off the 11-play, 83-yard drive with a nice 22-yard pass to Shavers, who made up for the drop that resulted in the interception the drive before, for a touchdown.
After forcing a punt on the Colts' first offensive drive of the second half, the Bills went to work again, but the drive ended with a fumble from tight end Jace Sternberger to allow the Colts a prime scoring chance in Bills territory.
With a short field to work with, the Colts failed to put any points on the board thanks to another stout defensive play by the Bills on fourth down. On a 4th-and-1 at the Buffalo 26-yard line, the Colts turned to veteran running back Kenyan Drake to get them one yard to continue the drive. However, he was stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
The Bills then immediately turned down the field and went to work to extend the lead once again. This time, Barkley capped the seven-play drive off with a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dezmon Patman.
The Colts responded in relatively short order to cut the deficit back to one score, as running back Jason Huntley found the end zone from three yards out with 4:07 remaining in regulation. Indianapolis elected to go for the two-point conversion to make it a two-point game, but tight end Michael Jacobson was stuffed just shy of the goal line by Bills linebacker Travin Howard.
After a strong kick return from Bills returner Darrynton Evans, all the Bills needed to do was kill time on the clock and force the Colts to burn through their three timeouts remaining to secure a victory. The offense managed to move the ball all the way to the Indianapolis 19-yard line before Barkley just needed to kneel the clock out for the win.
LISTEN LIVE TO WGR:
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GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (11:38) - James Cook rushes to the outside for an eight-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 2 plays, 13 yards, 1:11
Second Quarter:
- 10-0 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (9:34) - Tyler Bass' 40-yard field goal attempt is good.
Dive info: 12 plays, 58 yards, 5:36
- 10-7 BUFFALO: Colts touchdown (0:03) - Jake Funk punches through the line for a one-yard touchdown run. (Matt Gay's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 88 yards, 4:22
Third Quarter:
- 13-10 INDIANAPOLIS: Colts touchdown (12:30) - Kyle Allen's pass intended for Tyrell Shavers is intercepted by Darius Rush, who returns the ball 52 yards for a touchdown. (Lucas Havrisik's extra point attempt is no good)
- 17-13 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (6:11) - Matt Barkley finds Tyrell Shavers for a 22-yard touchdown pass. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 11 plays, 83 yards, 6:19
Fourth Quarter:
- 23-13 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (7:26) - Matt Barkley connects with Dezmon Patmon for a 13-yard touchdown pass. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is no good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 74 yards, 4:00
- 23-19 BUFFALO: Colts touchdown (4:07) - Jason Huntley finds the end zone for a three-yard touchdown run. (Indianapolis' two-point conversion attempt is unsuccessful)
Drive info: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:19
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills head out on the road next Saturday, Aug. 19 to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.