November 10, 2024
By CHUCK POLLOCK, Wellsville Sun, Olean Star Senior Sports Columnist
Bills fans know that coach Sean McDermott persistently champions “complementary football.”
And Sunday afternoon at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, that’s what he got, albeit a rough version, during a 30-20 victory over the Colts.
In the short term, Buffalo improved to 8-2, second-best record in the AFC behind only 9-0 Kansas City, next Sunday’s visitor to Orchard Park, and third in the NFL, after Detroit (8-1).
The Bills have also made a joke of the AFC East standings, leading both the Jets and Patriots, both 3-7, by five games as well as Miami (2-6) by the same deficit pending the Dolphins game tomorrow night against the Rams in Los Angeles.
Of course, next week is the biggest game of the year for Buffalo and the Chiefs as the Bills trail Kansas City (9-0) by a game-and-a-half in the conference race and a loss would put them 2½ games behind, plus a head-to-head defeat, with six to play.
THE TAPE of Sunday’s game isn’t likely bound for Canton. Bills quarterback Josh Allen rushed for a touchdown but didn’t throw for any though completing 22-of-37 passes for 280 yards with two interceptions.
His Colts counterpart, Joe Flacco, had a schizophrenic day, with two touchdown passes offset by three interceptions, one of them a pick-six by Bills nickel-corner, Taron Johnson, for the game’s first score. He was also sacked four times.
And though Buffalo wasn’t particularly sharp, it hung a 10-point defeat on a team whose previous nine games were decided by one possession.
Plus, McDermott got his “complementary football,” though in a different way.
Johnson’s interception for a TD gave Buffalo an immediate lead and on Indy’s next possession, edge rusher Greg Rousseau’s forced fumble by Flacco was recovered by safety Damar Hamlin and the possession produced a field goal that put Buffalo up 10-0.
Still, the coach saw it as a team effort.
“Sam (Martin, punter) and Tyler Bass (place-kicker, three field goals) had good days overall,” McDermott said. “Offensively we had some (wide receivers) down and guys stepping up, Mack Hollins was one of them (catches on all four targets for 86 yards) and that last drive, I thought Josh, Khalil (Shakir, six catches for 58 yards, TD) and James Cook (20 carries, 80 yards, TD) put together a high-level drive that we really needed.”
He added, I know that Josh had a couple of throws he’d like back and those are important for him and for us. But what can you say? Keon and Amari were both out. But the communication offensively and defensively, the special teams included, I tip my cap to those guys and the game plan they put together and the way the players executed it.”
McDermott concluded of his team, “This is a very competitive group, they take a lot of pride in not letting each other down, they love each other, I think that’s a big piece of this. It’s a team that has a pretty strong bond and that starts with the players and the leadership group and leading by example and getting together when they’re not in the building.”
And given the Bills’ start, it’s hard to argue McDermott’s assessment.
NOTES FROM the Bills. 30-20 victory over the Colts Sunday afternoon at Indy’s Lucas Oil Stadium:
— On Indianapolis’ first offensive play, Flacco endured his 14th career pick six, this one for 23 yards, as Johnson (nickel corner), got his second interception of the season. Later a Flacco pass was picked off by defensive tackle Austin Johnson, who had never had an interception for his entire football until two weeks ago at Seattle, now has a pair in the last three games. Finally, Buffalo safety Taylor Rapp got his third on a ball that went through the receiver’s hands and wasn’t Flacco’s fault.
— Indy’s fourth giveaway saw Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau knock the ball away from Flacco as he tried to pass with safety Damar Hamlin recovering.
— Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen’s second-quarter rushing touchdown was the 57th of his pro career tying him with O.J. Simpson for second on the franchise’s all-time list. The only Bills player with more rushing scores is Thurman Thomas who had 65.
Allen’s 21-yard run later in the game was his longest of the season.
— The Colts initial takeaway came when an Allen pass was hijacked by linebacker E.J. Speed, his first. Allen, who wasn’t intercepted the first seven games this season, now has been picked off in three straight. Later he was intercepted by cornerback Kenny Moore II, his first.
— Buffalo’s Dion Dawkins was flagged twice for a false start, his 10th penalty in as many games this season and the Bills offensive tackles have totaled a league-leading 20 infractions for a player group.
— Indy’s first sack of Allen was credited to edge rusher Kewity Paye, his fifth of the season. The second was recorded by Grover Stewart, both have 3½ pn the season.
— The Bills first of three sacks of Flacco was recorded by Taron Johnson, his first of the season and eighth of his career. Later, tackle Quinton Jefferson recorded a sack following his being signed by Buffalo this week after being waived by Cleveland. Finally, edge rusher A. J. Epenesa recorded his sixth.
— The 58-yard first-quarter sprint by Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was his longest of the season, though the drive stalled and produced only a field goal.
— In a bit of an arrogant decision, the Bills opted to pass up a 46-yard field goal attempt on 4th-and-4 from the Indy 29. But after being 9-for-9 on fourth down this season, Allen’s pass fell incomplete.
–Buffalo’s linebackers, Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams each had a team-high nine tackles, the latter a team-best six solos. For Indy, safety Nick Cross had game-highs in tackles (12) and seven assists.
–Inactive for the Bills were wide receivers Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper, both wrist injuries, plus recently signed KJ Hamler, fullback/special teamer Reggie Gilliam (hip), linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio and tackle Will Clapp.
With three wide receivers inactive, the Bills actives for that position were Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel (shoulder) and Mack Hollins plus Tyrell Shavers and Jalen Virgil (both called up from the practice squad).
In addition, linebacker Baylon Spector was placed on injured reserve after being injured during practice.Thus, Buffalo had only four active linebackers, starters Bernard and Williams plus subs Nick Morrow and Joe Andreessen, the free agent from UB.
During the week, Buffalo signed both Jefferson and fellow tackle Jordan Phillips, who was also active, after being signed when Dallas cut him.
— Key inactive for Indianapolis was starting wide receiver Michael Pittman (back, finger).
(Chuck Pollock, a Wellsville Sun and Olean Star senior sports columnist, can be reached at cpollock@wnynet.net.)
