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Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts: 4 key matchups to watch on Wild Card weekend

By Michael Koonce

BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 16: Tre'Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills lines up during NFL game action against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field on September 16, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 16: Tre'Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills lines up during NFL game action against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field on September 16, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Bills
Jan 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs the ball while Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Chris Claybrooks (27) defends in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Bills rush defense vs. Jonathan Taylor 

The Buffalo Bills rush defense ranks 17th in the league, giving up a total of over 1,900 rushing yards at 4.6 yards per attempt. Just this season, Jonathan Taylor, alone, has averaged five yards per tote and in the last six games, rushed for 741 yards while averaging six yards per attempt. Although Buffalo has given up a ton of rushing yards throughout the regular season, they have consistently contained most teams’ number one rusher.

When the Bills visited Las Vegas to face the Raiders in Week 4, stopping the run was high on their list of priorities. They held Raiders’ Josh Jacobs to 48 rushing yards, 3.6 yards per rush, and zero touchdowns. Against the Tennessee Titans, the Bills held Derrick Henry, the eighth player to eclipse the 2,000-yard rushing mark in NFL history, to just three yards per carry. The Buffalo Bills ultimately lost to the Titans, largely due to turnovers and excellent starting field position for Tennessee, but their defense embraced the challenge against Henry and should welcome the same this weekend against rookie Jonathan Taylor.

This matchup could be moot if the Bills offense is able to build a lead and prevent Indy from going on time-consuming drives by having success running the football. If the Colts indeed decide to run the ball 30 or more times as they did in Week 17, the Bills will be tasked with controlling the line of scrimmage to prevent Taylor and the Colts offense from chewing up the clock. How Buffalo defends the run on Saturday may decide the outcome of this ballgame.

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