Underrated Bills Defense Announced Its Presence Again vs. Colts
Credit: Grace Hollars- via Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills win against the Indianapolis Colts wasn’t pretty, but not every game on the schedule can be the best game of the season. The fact is: Great teams find ways to win these kinds of games, too. While the offense looked a little disjointed at times, the defense made some big stops and created turnovers. Let’s take a look at our key takeaways from Sunday.
The Turnovers Keep Coming
Stop me if you have heard this before, the Bills forced some turnovers. Heading into the game, the Bills had the NFL’s best turnover differential and it started again with the first defensive play of the game. Taron Johnson dropped into coverage, Joe Flacco didn’t see him, and he returned it 23 yards for a touchdown.
The defense continued to confuse Flacco all afternoon and finished the game with three interceptions. They also recovered a strip sack to rob Flacco a fourth time. The Bills scored 17 points off those turnovers, and they proved especially useful on a day when Buffalo’s ball security was shaky.
Overall, this season, the Bills have picked off 11 passes (fifth in the NFL), two of which have been returned for touchdowns. The NFL world focuses on the Bills as an offensive threat, but fans know that this defense is special. Josh Allen and the offense will need to continue to do what they do, but when a defense can make those game-swinging plays on the regular, their chances of reaching the ultimate prize only go up.
Appreciate Josh Allen‘s Ground Game
O.J. Simpson was one of the best Bills ever (on the field), finishing his career with 57 rushing touchdowns. When Allen scrambled 13 yards for the 57th rushing touchdown, he tied Simpson for second all-time in franchise history. He’s now only nine away from passing Thurman Thomas for the franchise record. We might see him break this record early next season.
Josh Allen has scored his 57th career rushing touchdown 🤑 pic.twitter.com/2pudBHI5ww
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 10, 2024
His two picks kept Indy in the game for longer than was necessary, but when you can chip in 50 yards on the ground and a score, you can get away with a bit of inconsistency.
Curtis Samuel Was A Surprise Weapon
Because of all their injuries, the Bills knew they would need other weapons to step up if they wanted the offense to move the ball. Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman were out, and Dalton Kincaid was injured early in the game.
Over the previous two weeks, Curtis Samuel had one target in each game, failing to bring in a catch. But against the Colts, Samuel was targeted eight times, finishing with four catches for 35 yards. The stats aren’t exactly eye-popping, but he brought in some key receptions to take some of the pressure off Khalil Shakir.
Once Cooper and Coleman are back, he again will take a back seat, but if he can be an option as the fourth wide receiver, that is going to really help this offense come playoff time.
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