Game Recap: Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts, Preseason Week 1

Soccer is again! The Buffalo Payments opened up their preseason internet hosting the Indianapolis Colts. Teaching philosophy variations have been simple to see proper out of the gate as Sean McDermott rested the Payments’ starters whereas Frank Reich performed lots of the Colts’ starters into the second quarter.

Buffalo obtained the opening kickoff and promptly trotted out the backups together with an offensive line of Tommy Doyle, Greg Van Roten, Bobby Hart, Luke Tenuta, and Cody Ford. Khalil Shakir opened up in an enormous approach with a protracted catch and run all the way in which to the 50, adopted by one other catch with good effort to get one other first down only a couple performs later. Zack Moss confirmed up on the drive however a pair missed in the long run zone ended the Payments drive on downs. Case Keenum’s final ditch cross to O.J. Howard was a bit excessive.

The rookie corners confirmed up early and sometimes with Kaiir Elam breaking apart a 3rd down cross to finish the Colts’ first drive. Much more spectacular is the truth that the Colts have been primarily taking part in starters.

The Payments put Shakir out to return the primary punt, which additionally was the Payments first penalty of the 12 months with Terrel Bernard known as for offensive holding in the course of the return. Keenum rocketed a cross to Jamison Crowder in a brief yardage cross, which caromed off Crowder and into the fingers of the Colts for the primary of a number of turnovers for Buffalo.

Buffalo’s protection shined once more, making the Colts accept a area objective. An unbelievable objective line cease on third down was adopted by a false begin by Indy. Jaquan Johnson returned the kickoff to midfield, however Buffalo’s drive stalled in a run, run, cross state of affairs that was paying homage to the drought period groups. Matt Haack was known as out to punt first, pinning the Colts on the 12 with a 38 yarder.

The Colts began off robust however the Payments rookies and depth gamers have been stronger on the following drive. Cam Lewis had a spotlight reel deal with for a loss coming in for a nook blitz, altering fluidly to run help. Lewis then supplied the protection for an incomplete cross. Indianapolis went for it on fourth, however the Matt Ryan cross was damaged up by Christian Benford.

Keenum’s unhealthy day continued with a tipped cross. That was adopted by a spectacular throw and catch to Jake Kumerow who coughed it as much as finish the primary quarter.

The Colts saved their starters in for the primary drive within the second quarter after the Kumerow fumble. The Colts turned the ball over on downs with a drive that featured some sloppy penalties and a pleasant sack by Prince Emili.

Buffalo’s subsequent drive ended with a fumble from Keenum who was hit proper earlier than he might visibly push the ball ahead and create a case for an incomplete cross. Whereas the Colts recovered, a sack and compelled fumble by Boogie Basham led to a Terrel Bernard restoration. That is additionally by the way the primary landing of the 12 months, with Bernard having a 69-yard scoop and rating.

A foul overthrow by Nick Foles led to a Jaquan Johnson interception, who introduced all of it the way in which again to the Colts’s 15. Case Keenum gave it proper again on the following cross. Issues bought a bit chippy with a bunch scuffle on the sidelines.

The protection had an up and down subsequent drive, with Elam incomes the primary defensive cross interference of his profession. Two performs with tight protection by Elam compelled a 4th & 8.Terrel Bernard trailed in protection because the Colts went for it on fourth down once more. The blown protection and a minor damage to Kaiir Elam led to a stroll in landing for the Colts. Elam was evaluated for a head damage, however cleared later within the recreation. Buffalo didn’t deliver him again onto the sector although.

Duke Johnson was the following returner and was highlighted on offense to start out the drive. Johnson didn’t ship and the Payments went three-and-out. The play of the drive got here from Matt Araiza who punted from the shadow of his personal endzone. The 82 yard punt and touchback was obtained with a good quantity of applause from the gang.

The Payments held up because the half was ending with a deal with for loss and batted cross. McDermott known as a timeout with 36 seconds left on the clock, with Khalil Shakir returning the punt to start out an aggressive Payments drive. An incomplete to Tommy Sweeney burned time the Payments didn’t have and a few sloppy penalties by each groups have been adopted by a Keenum sack to shut the half.

Popping out of the half, the Colts began with the ball with Sam Ehlinger in at QB. A 17-yard sack was worn out by an unlawful low block by Joe Giles-Harris. Baylon Spector had a incredible bat coming in on a blitz. Buffalo introduced good strain on the drive, however the Colts discovered the tip zone anyway.

It was Raheem Blackshear’s flip to return the kickoff, resulting in Matt Barkley time. Two chunk play passes to Shakir have been a part of a promising drive that led to a 48-yard area objective. As an apart, Matt Araiza was the holder for further factors and area objectives for your complete recreation which was the massive query for the rookie punter.

The third quarter closed with extra up and down from the protection. Sam Ehlinger had a pair scrambles to maintain the chains shifting, however was additionally taken down for a significant loss by Kingsley Jonathan and Andre Smith Jr., the latter of which is able to get the credit score for the sack. The Colts held the ball for a pair minutes into the fourth quarter, however Daniel Joseph ended the drive with one other sack.

Duke Johnson got here out for a punt return, however needed to name for a good catch. Strain led to a Matt Barkley interception, the fifth turnover for Buffalo. The Colts made their landing a bit extra dramatic with a penalty calling again their first journey into the endzone. A number of performs later they bought the rating anyway, capping it off with a two-point conversion.

Matt Barkley and the Payments lastly bought going, discovering the endzone on a objective line run by Raheem Blackshear. The drive included an exceptional sideline cross to Isaiah Hodgins. Buffalo additionally elected to go for 2, however Barkley was picked off in again nook of the endzone by Dallis Flowers.

Trailing by eight, the Buffalo protection shortly compelled a punt, with Blackshear returning once more. On third down, a incredible throw from Barkley to Quintin Morris saved the drive alive and a facemask name on the Colts put the ball on the eleven. One other dashing landing from Blackshear had the celebration minimize brief as Blackshear stayed down after the rating. The rookie walked off beneath his personal energy and returned to the sport for the ultimate drive. Duke Johnson transformed the 2 level try and tied the sport with slightly below 4 minutes to play.

Buffalo compelled a three-and-out, to raucous preseason applause and Duke Johnson was the return man on the punt. An ideal Barkley cross to Isaiah Hodgins in tight protection and one other cross to Hodgins noticed him squeak ahead for an additional two first downs in a row.

Sean McDermott and Ken Dorsey switched to situational soccer, with methodical performs holding the ball shifting towards area objective vary. Neil Pau’u got here down with a pleasant catch towards the tip of regulation. An unlawful contact by Tanner Gentry was a black mark on the drive, however saved the Payments in area objective vary. Barkley and Hodgins bought the crew a bit nearer for Tyler Bass.

As time expired, Matt Araiza cleanly introduced the ball down from Reid Ferguson’s snap and Tyler Bass nailed a 46-yard area objective proper down the center.

Notes:

• Buffalo has a knack for both discovering or teaching defensive backs because the rookies performed very nicely. Cynthia Frelund reported three NFL executives have been inquiring about Christian Benford changing into obtainable earlier than the sport was over.
• A pair damage shut calls aren’t excellent, nevertheless it’s additionally not that shabby. Hopefully we proceed to see good well being.
• The Case Keenum offense was shaky. A few of it was Keenum. A few of it was the supporting solid. A few of it was taking part in the Colts’ starters. Matt Barkley regarded higher, however there’s an argument that the standard of competitors dived when he got here in.
• It’s preseason and Jonathan Taylor wasn’t taking part in, however the run protection regarded good.