It wasn’t always pretty but the Buffalo Bills held on for a 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts in their first preseason game of the 2019 season.
The Buffalo Bills will begin the 2019 season with a win thanks to a 24-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at New Era Field. It wasn’t the cleanest performance, and while wins and losses in preseason don’t carry much weight, it was good to see this team fight to hold on for the victory.
The Bills’ defense, both first and second string, set the tone in this one as they stifled the Colts’ offense, allowing only one first down over their first six drives. The fact the Colts were without Andrew Luck may have played a role but there is no question that this defense looks like they will pick up right where they left off last season.
The other side of the ball for the Buffalo Bills though seems to still be a work in progress. It is always hard to evaluate teams during the preseason, especially considering they are not likely to open up their entire playbook in these games.
It was clear for the gameplan against the Colts was to get as much work for Josh Allen as possible. They started the game calling eight straight passes on their first drive. It was an up and down performance from Allen as there was positives, like Allen connecting with Cole Beasley on two of these pass attempts and his decision making by mixing short throws with a few deep passes.
The concern though is Allen’s accuracy as some of these passes just mixed the mark, especially one to Zay Jones that was underthrown and ended their first drive. These are the type of throws Allen needs to make to take that next step in his career.
It wasn’t until Matt Barkley got into the game that the offense really started to click as he led the team on two touchdown drives and built a 14-0 lead, which the Colts cut to 14-3 just before the half.
The Bills extended that lead to 17-3 in the third quarter before the Colts, led by Chad Kelly, cut that lead to 17-13 thanks to a Colts’ field goal and a 33-yard touchdown scramble by Kelly.
However, the Bills shut the door quickly as running back Christian Wade, on the very next play shut had an excellent 65-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 24-13.
The Buffalo Bills next preseason game will be in Carolina as they face the Panthers next Friday.