Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts: Risers and Fallers

A look back at the Buffalo Bills’ Week 14 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts.

No one’s going to forget the Snow Bowl anytime soon.

The Buffalo Bills coasted with a seven-point lead for most of the second half this past Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. However, they still needed a missed field goal and an overtime defensive stop to pull out the crucial victory.

With the Bills’ 13-7 Week 14 win against Indianapolis, they have kept their postseason hopes afloat heading into a big matchup against the Miami Dolphins Sunday at New Era Field.

You know the drill, this column profiles the players who took steps forward and also regressed each week. Welcome to Risers and Fallers.

Risers

LeSean McCoy

This comes at no surprise.

LeSean McCoy was dominant in Week 14, rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries.

McCoy’s big play came in overtime when he trudged 21 yards through the snow and into the end zone for a touchdown.

The talented running back averaged 4.31 yards after contact, broke eight tackles and forced one missed tackle in the win, according to Pro Football Focus. McCoy’s impressive day earned him the honor of FedEx Ground Player of the week.

Kelvin Benjamin

Games like this past Sunday are why the Bills traded for Kelvin Benjamin at the deadline.

His numbers against the Colts don’t blow you away, but the Florida State alum scored Buffalo’s lone touchdown in regulation and made another impressive grab leading up to his touchdown reception.

A healthy Benjamin will go a long way down the stretch.

Matt Milano

Getting the start over Ramon Humber, Matt Milano rewarded the Buffalo coaches for their gesture of good faith.

The rookie outside linebacker was all over the first, finishing with a game-high 11 tackles.

Milano’s strong play of late has earned him another start on Sunday.

"“Matt is a guy that has consistently gained confidence in himself, in the scheme. I think his production and his play has exemplified that on the field since he’s gotten here,” Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said, via BNBlitz.com. “He’s a guy that’s humble, eager to learn and always taking advice, whether it’s from a veteran player like myself or the coaching staff. He’s been dialed in since Day One. Great to see him get his opportunity because he was doing a great job on special teams, and filling in as a rotational guy. Now, he’s the guy.”"

Fallers

Mike Tolbert

If Travaris Cadet hasn’t passed Mike Tolbert on the depth chart yet, I’m not sure he ever will.

Tolbert broke a long run late, in what looked like would put the game away, only to fumble the ball on the Indianapolis 45 after a 25-yard gain.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills had an opportunity to go up two scores, but instead, the fumble killed the drive and two Indianapolis drives later the game was tied.

Sean McDermott

Sure, punting with a fourth-and-2 near midfield more than midway through overtime paid off for Sean McDermott – Colton Schmidt backed the Colts up and they converted one first down and punted the ball back to the Bills – but this could have really misfired.

With a tie basically equating a loss for Buffalo this point in the season, it was a risk not worth taking. Especially with McCoy averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

Trust the process.

Joe Webb

This is really knit-picky because this game was basically played in a blizzard, but Joe Webb’s fourth-quarter interception could have cost the Bills a win.

If it wasn’t for an Adam Vinateri missed field goal, all of this playoff talk would be out the window.

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However, the third-string quarterback to rebound and connect with Deonte Thompson to put the team close to field-goal range during Buffalo’s second drive in overtime.