Practically none of the NFL analysts predicted the Buffalo Bills would beat the Indianapolis Colts. Those who did predict the Bills would come out on top certainly didn't think they would as decisively as they did with a 27-14 win, the first regular season win for Bills head coach Rex Ryan.
The first quarter started off slow for both teams until late in the fourth when rookie cornerback Ronald Darby who was picked on endless in the preseason, picked off Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. That play led to Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor's 51-yard pass to first-year Buffalo Bill Percy Harvin. Dan Carpenter sealed the deal with an extra point to put the Bills up 7-0 in the first.
In the second quarter, Nigel Bradham sacked Luck and an offensive penalty forced the Colts to punt on their first series. The Bills first series of the second quarter ended with a Dan Carpenter 41-yard field goal to put the Bills up 10-0. The Colts failed to score on the next series after Adam Vinatieri missed a 52-yard field goal. With 26 seconds left in the second, the Bills scored another touchdown on a 26-yard run from rookie running back Karlos Williams putting the Bills ahead at the half 17-0.
The Bills first second half possession ended with a Boobie Dixon one-yard touchdown run putting the Bills ahead 24-0. The Colts answered with an eight-minute drive resulting in a touchdown and successful two-point conversion making the score 24-8.
In the fourth, the Bills recovered a muffled punt return which resulted in another Dan Carpenter field goal. The Colts came back with a touchdown later in the third but the Colts quest for a comeback came to an end late in the fourth when Mario Butler helped break up a play that lead to an Aaron Williams interception.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor finished the game 14-19 with 195 yards and a touchdown. Colts' quarterback Andrew Luck was 26-49 with 243 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Taylor also rushed for 41 yards on nine carries. Bills rookie running back Karlos Williams lead all rushers with 55 yards are six carries. LeSean McCoy had 17 carries for 41 yards. Wide receiver Percy Harvin finished the game with five receptions for 79 yards followed by McCoy who had three catches for 46 yards. Charles Clay had four receptions for 43 yards and Roberts Woods caught the ball twice for 27 yards.
Dan Carpenter was 2 for 2 for field goals and 3 for 3 for extra points. On the defensive side, the Bills' Nigel Bradham and Nickell Robey both had sacks for the Bills. Ronald Darby and Aaron Williams both had one interception.
The Bills host AFC East Rival and defending Super Bowl Champions the New England Patriots next weekend at Ralph Wilson Stadium. As Rex Ryan credited the Bills fans with the win against the Colts, it is expected the fans will once again play a role in the game next week against the Patriots.