![]() They aren’t even close to being that team and that was plainly evident at rainy Highmark Stadium Sunday afternoon. ![]() If anyone was doubting the veracity of the Buffalo Bills being the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, congratulations to you because you were right. Final score: Indianapolis Colts 41, Buffalo Bill 15 A missed opportunity looms large in kicking battleįrom the start, Rodrigo Blankenship has had something of an edge in his kicking competition with Jake Verity, simply because of familiarity.This is the place to be all afternoon for live updates from the stadium, before, during and after the game. Starting cornerback Brandon Facyson and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo were briefly examined by trainers, but Odenigbo returned to the field later in the game and the Colts cleared Facyson of any injury. Playing the starters as long as the Colts did Saturday carried the risk of ruining the injury luck Indianapolis has enjoyed in training camp so far, and there were a few close calls in the first half.īut outside of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (concussion) and wide receiver Keke Coutee (groin), Indianapolis appears to have emerged from the extended work without significantly lengthening an injury list that hasn’t had many big names outside of All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who is on the active/physically unable to perform list after offseason back surgery. Pierce bounced back with two catches for 27 yards, tight end Jelani Woods made two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown, fellow tight end Drew Ogletree bounced back from a drop to make a catch for 5 yards, left tackle Bernhard Raimann played solid football in extended action, strong safety Nick Cross was active in coverage and in the running game and defensive tackles, Eric Johnson and Curtis Brooks, made some plays with the second-team defense. McLeod picked off Keenum on the first play of the next series, Bobby Okereke and Julian Blackmon combined to force a fumble, Isaiah Rodgers picked off Keenum right after an interception by Nick Foles, reserve defensive end Kameron Cline came up with a strip sack and Sterling Weatherford picked off the Bills in the second half.Īdd in a pair of sacks, and the Colts’ first and second-team defenses lived up to their billing so far.Ī lot of factors have to go right for a rookie to play at full potential right away.īut most of the Indianapolis draft class showed why the Colts liked them enough to use a pick on them. Indianapolis forced a turnover on downs on that first series, and then the Colts kept taking the ball away from Buffalo’s offense. Outside of a slow start that allowed Buffalo backup Case Keenum to drive into the Indianapolis red zone, the Colts defense continued a training camp that has been full of playmaking. ![]() More: Doyel: Colts receivers look bad in preseason opener but there were some positives (maybe) 2. Like any preseason game, the Colts were calling basic stuff.īut it is true that the starting offense didn’t answer any of the questions that have surrounded the team through the offseason. Indianapolis did not game-plan the Buffalo defense the way the Colts would in a real game, and the franchise believes deeply in head coach Frank Reich’s ability to get wide receivers open. Pierce bounced back with two nice catches later in the game, but given that Buffalo wasn’t playing most of its starters on defense, the Indianapolis receivers could have done more.Ī remade offensive line also did not dominate Buffalo’s backup front, making it difficult for Nyheim Hines (8 carries, 26 yards) to get going.Ī single quarter of football in a preseason opener is not a reason to assume the Colts offense will struggle in the regular season. Wide receiver Parris Campbell, who has put together a couple of nice days in training camp but hasn’t been consistent, had at least one drop, and rookie Alec Pierce struggled with the physicality of Bills first-round pick Kaiir Elam on an early third down. A sluggish start for the offense isn’t going to answer any of those questions.
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