Since the beginning of time, great teams have taken the ball away and limited their own turnovers. On the way to 8-2 on Sunday, the Bills continued to use that formula to deny the Colts, 30-20.
Buffalo got 17 points from four takeaways on Sunday, including a 23-yard Taron Johnson interception return that put the Bills on the board less than three minutes into the game. Nose tackle Aaron Johnson and safety Taylor Rapp also picked off Joe Flacco, and Damar Hamlin recovered a fumble to continually put the Bills’ offense in great positions.
The Bills entered the day tied with Detroit for the league’s best turnover margin, plus-11. Buffalo improved to 42-3 (.933) since 2018, when the team drafted Josh Allen, when winning its turnover margin. Only Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs own a better record during that span.
Sunday’s win was important for Buffalo for two other reasons. First, the Bills had struggled in road games this year. A 4-0 home team, Buffalo was just 3-2 on the road. Second, after somewhat taking their eye off the ball in a narrow 30-27 home win over Miami last week, the Bills couldn’t afford a letdown before squaring off with Kansas City (9-0) next week.
Allen was 22 of 37 for 280 yards with two interceptions. He hit several explosive passes, showing his signature self while rolling out of the pocket and hitting Mack Hollins deep down the right sideline for a 44-yard gain late in the first half. That play set up a field goal that gave Buffalo an important 20-10 halftime advantage. One series earlier, Allen punched in a 13-yard touchdown run. He added 50 rushing yards.
Buffalo spoiled a strong day from Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who had 114 yards on 21 carries, including a 59-yard that helped Indianapolis erase an early 10-0 deficit. Flacco, however, was inconsistent in his second start since the Colts benched former first-round pick Anthony Richardson. The veteran finished 26 of 35 for 272 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also lost the fumble in which Hamlin recovered.
Indianapolis (4-6) lost its third straight game. While the Bills host Kansas City next week, the Colts travel to meet the Jets on Sunday.
For more information on the Bills and Colts, visit the Buffalo and Indianapolis team pages at ProFootballPost.com.
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