Indianapolis, Ind. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills continued their winning ways on Sunday, defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 30-20, at Lucas Oil Stadium to improve to 8-2 on the season for the first time since the 1993 season.
The Colts won the opening coin toss and elected to defer, giving the Bills first crack on offense. However, Josh Allen and the offense found tough luck on their first drive, having to punt.
The defense did their job for Buffalo, though. On the first offensive play for the Colts, quarterback Joe Flacco fired a pass intended for wide receiver Josh Downs, only to be picked off by nickel Taron Johnson. Johnson was then able to turn the field and return the ball 23 yards for the game's opening touchdown.
Flacco and the Colts offense looked to atone for the pick-six, but could not do so. In fact, the drive resulted in another Colts turnover, as another Flacco pass, this time intended for running back Jonathan Taylor, was picked off by defensive tackle Austin Johnson.
Johnson was able to tally his second interception of the season.
Buffalo's offense capitalized on the interception, adding to their early lead. Despite stalling out in the red zone, the Bills were able to get three more points o the scoreboard thanks to a 29-yard field goal from kicker Tyler Bass.
Taylor provided some life for the Colts on their third offensive drive with a big 59-yard run into Buffalo territory. However, Indianapolis was unable to find its way into the end zone, resulting in a 27-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay to get on the board, 10-3.
The Bills offense got aggressive on their next drive, going for it on a 4th-and-3 at the Colts' 28-yard line with a chance to extend their lead back to two possessions. However, a pass from quarterback Josh Allen intended for wide receiver Curtis Samuel fell incomplete.
The Colts then took advantage of the opportunity, driving right down the field and tying the game at 10-10, as Flacco connected with running back Tyler Goodson for a two-yard touchdown.
Allen and the Bills gifted the Colts another free drive, as the quarterback tossed an interception on the first play from scrimmage on their next drive. His pass intended for Khalil Shakir ended up being picked off by linebacker E.J. Speed.
After getting back into Buffalo territory, the Colts failed to take full advantage of the turnover, turning to Gay once again to kick a 23-yard field goal to give them their first lead of the game.
The Bills offense went right back to work on their next drive, answering back to re-take the lead.
Allen capped the eight-play, 70-yard drive himself with a 13-yard touchdown run, putting the Bills back in front, 17-13, with 2:14 to go in the half.
The Bills defense forced a quick three-and-out of the Colts, giving Buffalo one more chance to score before halftime.
After a clutch catch by wide receiver Mack Hollins for 44 yards, it helped set up Bass for a 47-yard field goal attempt to give the Bills a 20-13 lead heading into halftime.
The Colts received the second half kickoff, but ended up going three-and-out thanks, in part, to a huge third down sack by Taron Johnson.
Turnovers ended up becoming to story for most of the second half.
On the Colts' next drive, Flacco ended up being strip-sacked near midfield by pass rusher Greg Rousseau, and the loose change was recovered by safety Damar Hamlin.
However, the very next play for the Bills saw Allen throwing another interception, this time to cornerback Kenny Moore II to give Colts another chance to even the score.
The Colts managed to get as far as the Bills' 20-yard line before facing a fourth down in the final few minutes of the third quarter. However, Flacco ended up taking a series-ending sack to Bills defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson to force a turnover on downs.
As the game entered the fourth quarter, the Bills finally got back some momentum offensively, getting back in field goal range for Bass, who nailed a 28-yard field goal to put Buffalo ahead, 23-13.
Taylor Rapp tallied Buffalo's third interception of the afternoon, as a pass intended for Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce was overthrown just enough to fall in the hands of the Bills safety.
The Bills' goal from there was to kill as much clock as possible, while also potentially adding some additional points on the scoreboard to put the game out of reach.
Buffalo did just that, as the offense chewed 6:42 off the clock, and added seven more points courtesy of a James Cook two-yard touchdown run.
With no timeouts and the clock just above three minutes left in the game, the Colts offense could not get anything going quickly down the field in order to make things interesting enough. Even though Pierce was able to score a touchdown for Indianapolis, it came with two seconds remaining in regulation.
All that was left to do, at that point, was for the Bills to kneel down the ball once and secure a fifth-straight win, 30-20.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (12:24) - Taron Johnson intercepts Joe Flacco's pass intended for Josh Downs, and took it back for a 23-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 1 play, 0 yards, 10 seconds
- 10-0 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (5:36) - Tyler Bass' 29-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 42-yards, 3:30
- 10-3 BUFFALO: Colts field goal (3:34) - Matt Gay's 27-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 6 plays, 61 yards, 1:59
Second Quarter:
- 10-10: Colts touchdown (9:26) - Joe Flacco passes short and to the left to Tyler Goodson for a 2-yard touchdown. (Matt Gay's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 72-yards, 5:46
- 13-10 INDIANAPOLIS: Colts field goal (6:35) - Matt Gay's 23-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 6 plays, 28-yards, 2:37
- 17-13 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (2:21) - Josh Allen rushes to the left for a 13-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:11
- 20-13 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (0:02) - Tyler Bass' 47-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 60 yards, 1:08
Third Quarter:
- No scoring plays
Fourth Quarter:
- 23-13 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (11:01) - Tyler Bass' 28-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 13 plays, 60 yards, 6:44
- 30-13 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (3:04) - James Cook ruses to the left for a 2-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 16 plays, 84 yards, 6:42
- 30-20 BUFFALO: Colts touchdown (0:08) - Joe Flacco passes right to Alec Pierce for a 10-yard touchdown. (Matt Gay's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 13 plays, 70 yards, 3:02
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills return home to welcome the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. EST, with all the play-by-play action being available on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.