Buffalo, NY — The Indianapolis Colts (3-9) traveled to the snowy tundra that is orchard Park to take on the playoff hopeful Buffalo Bills (6-6). The Bills came into this one after falling at home the week prior to the division leading New England Patriots. Conditions for this matchup were not forgiving as snowy conditions blanketed the field of play with visibility at a minimum for all involved. Overshadowed by the snow was the change at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills as rookie Nathan Peterman started for the injured Tyrod Taylor.
The injury to Tyrod Taylor would have little effect on the outcome of this matchup as the Bills would win in a defensive dogfight with a 13-7 win. A late attack by the Indianapolis Colts with under two minutes left in the game kept it close to the end, the 3-yard catch by Jack Doyle made it a one-point game followed by the 43-yard Vinatieri extra point. A subsequent Vinatieri field goal attempt would fail clinch the victory. With a late offensive attack by the Bills in overtime a LeSean McCoy run would win it.
To say the weather played an impact on this one was an understatement. The box score would go on to say this was a defensive battle, though in reality it was a lack of offense that presumably in large part due to the conditions that stole the show. A nearly scoreless first half for both sides set the tone early for the rest of the game.
Any signs of offense for either side did not show up until the final drive of the first half by the likes of the Buffalo offense. The passing game which combined for 49-yards total for both teams combined in the first half even made its presence known. It was the run game that got things really going understandably however. A 7-play 80-yard drive set the tone and the momentum for Buffalo. Newly acquired Kelvin Benjamin was a difference maker hauling in his first touchdown as a Bill on the drive as he would finish with 3-receptions for 38-yards and a score for the game. LeSean McCoy added in 48-yards on the ground for the drive as he set up Benjamin 8-yard touchdown grab. He would finish his day with 32-carries for 158-yards.
The 34-year old Frank Gore of the Colts certainly did not show his age in this one as he ran the ball early and often. He would put up a career high in carries with 36 and would finish with 130-yards.
Going against the weather the Bills came out of the half passing the ball. Rookie Nathan Peterman would pickup his first win of the season following a 57-yard performance before being ruled out of the game with an injury and replaced by backup quarterback and special-teamer Joe Webb.
Notably in this one a penalty free game as there was only one penalty in the first half as the only thing to slow this game down was the weather conditions. As the weather let up in the first half so did the defense. After only 240 total yards of offense in the first half, the two teams would combine for only 202 in the second and overtime. Leading the charge for the Bills defense however was the undrafted rookie Matt Milano who would finish with ten tackles, nine of which were solo.
Following the win the Bills move to (7-6) and will face the Miami Dolphins at home next week. The Indianapolis Colts go to (3-10) and will go against the Denver Broncos.
