Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills Recap

We didn’t expect Indianapolis to play the starters long in this game, it is the final game of the season and they have all they need wrapped up. For Buffalo it was a matter of giving the fans a good show the final game of the season and did they put on a show. The sports casters and commentators were picking Buffalo to win this game and that was no surprise, especially with Colts line-up changing mid game. We knew that Buffalo would enforce the running game, and during the game they most definitely enforced the running game at will against the Indianapolis defense. This game was really a lack luster game for the Colts, one that they will hopefully soon forget, I know I will. The Bills played a great game and did deserve to win the game; they truly dominated on offense and defense in every way.

It was an amazing day for football in Buffalo, with the snow falling both teams seemed ready to play. Buffalo seemed ready to play and they started the scoring out when Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Fred Jackson for an 11 yard touchdown reception, Indy hit right back when they drove the ball down the field and Mike Hart punched it in for a touchdown from 1 yard out making the score 7-7. From that point on it was all Buffalo, in the second quarter Fitzpatrick struck twice he hit Lee Evans with a 21-yard touchdown reception and then found Terrell Owens for a 41-yard touchdown strike, right before halftime Rian Lindell tacked on a 31 yard field goal making the score at halftime Buffalo 24, Indianapolis 7. The second half for both teams was pretty uneventful, the Colts really didn’t move the ball much with Curtis Painter in at quarterback and Buffalo in the third quarter had Rian Lindell add two more field goals, a 33 yarder and a 36 yarder, making the score 30-7 and that would be the final outcome. Now for all of us who watched the game we know it would have been a different outcome if the circumstances were different but Indy chose to rest their starters and for Buffalo a win is a win. The man I would like to mention is Fred Jackson he truly ran at will against the Indianapolis defense his totals for the day 33 rushes for 212 yards on the day and 2 receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown really a great day.

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For me all I can hope for is that there is no hang over during the playoffs for Indianapolis. For the years previous, Indy has struggled in the playoffs when they have had the bye week and when they have rested their players lets hope this doesn’t happen again. I have heard many say they believe that Indianapolis is not the best team in the AFC, I have heard it said that Indy has a long way to go, but as I recall before the season began they were also stating how the window for Indy was closing, how they didn’t think that Indy would make the playoffs, where are those comments now? I guess they are replaced with other doubts and comments but such is life. I truly hope that Manning and the Colts can shut the mouths of the doubters and the only way to do that is to win the Super Bowl. For the Colts it has just become the way of life to make it to the playoffs and that is no longer good enough, not for the fans or for the players. Indianapolis, I agree, is not a complete team the running game is lacking but can they use it just enough to set up the pass as they have done effectively all year long? The playoffs are a time when you need your rhythm and I hope Indy can keep their rhythm going after the bye week. All I know is when you have #18 running the show, a win is always possible. Let’s get ready for the playoffs!

Check back here on Pro Football-fans.com to see more on the Colts and on the NFL playoffs as the fight to be Super Bowl champions continue.

By Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Indianapolis Colts Correspondent