Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 10th 2024
Preview and Prediction
As Week 10 approaches, the Buffalo Bills are inching closer to securing an AFC East championship.
With a four-game lead in the division and eight games left to play, Buffalo will attempt to take another step towards what appears to be an inevitable title when they face the desperate Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Last week, the Bills (7-2) maintained their lead over the New York Jets by narrowly defeating the Miami Dolphins 30-27, thanks to a game-winning 61-yard field goal from Tyler Bass with just five seconds remaining. This victory also marked a season sweep of Miami for Buffalo.
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However, head coach Sean McDermott is not taking a fifth consecutive division title for granted.
"Every week is a challenge," he stated. "We can never underestimate an opponent or assume that we will win based on our record or schedule. We need to stay focused on the task at hand."
McDermott is looking for improvement from his team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Last week, the Dolphins were able to rack up 26 first downs and 373 total yards, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completing 25 of 28 passes in just his second game back from a concussion. Miami also controlled the ball for nearly 32 minutes.
One area of concern for Buffalo may be their run defense, as the Dolphins were able to rush for 149 yards. This could be a problem against the Colts, who rely heavily on their running game with Jonathan Taylor at the helm. Additionally, the Bills are dealing with injuries on their defensive line, leading them to sign Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson this week. This will be Jefferson's second stint with the team and Phillips' third.
Meanwhile, the Colts (4-5) face their own challenges as they trail AFC South leader Houston by two games. Last week, they failed to take advantage of the Texans' loss by falling to the Minnesota Vikings 21-13. This is essentially a three-game deficit since Houston swept the season series.
To make matters worse, Indianapolis will be without their star center Ryan Kelly for at least the next four games as he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. In his place, rookie Tanor Bortolini, a fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin, will make his third career start. The Colts may also be without linebacker Zaire Franklin, who missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to play despite dealing with a back and finger injury that limited him to just one catch for 14 yards last week.
The Bills hold a 37-33-1 lead in the all-time series against the Colts, who were formerly division rivals. The last time these two teams met was in 2021, when Indianapolis dominated with a 41-15 victory behind Taylor's 185 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
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Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts Recap NOV 10TH 2024
Josh Allen threw for 280 yards and rushed for a touchdown Sunday as the visiting Buffalo Bills maintained their big AFC East lead with a 30-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Allen completed 22 of 37 passes and threw two interceptions, but Buffalo (8-2) still outgained Indianapolis 415-361. The Bills won their fifth straight game and led the New York Jets by 4 1/2 games in the division before the Jets played the Arizona Cardinals later Sunday afternoon.
Joe Flacco hit on 26 of 35 passes for 272 yards with two touchdowns for the Colts but also tossed three interceptions. Indianapolis (4-6) was guilty of four turnovers and also permitted four sacks.
However, the game was still close entering the fourth quarter. Buffalo put it away with Tyler Bass' third field goal, a 28-yarder, with 10:58 left, and James Cook's 2-yard touchdown run with 3:04 remaining.
Flacco tacked on a 10-yard scoring strike to Alec Pierce with two seconds on the clock.
Jonathan Taylor rushed 21 times for 114 yards for the Colts.
Buffalo's defense started the scoring less than three minutes into the game on Indianapolis' first snap. Flacco was intercepted by Taron Johnson and he took it 23 yards for a 7-0 lead.
The Bills made it 10-0 with 5:33 left in the first quarter on Bass' 29-yard field goal but the Colts finally got something going on their next drive. Matt Gay converted a 27-yarder at the 3:31 mark to cut the deficit to 10-3.
Flacco got Indianapolis into the end zone on its next drive, finishing off a possession of nearly six minutes with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Goodson that tied the game at 10 with 9:22 left in the second quarter. Gay made a 23-yard field goal less than three minutes later, five plays after E.J. Speed intercepted Allen.
However, Buffalo regained the lead for good on its next drive, going 70 yards in eight plays and finishing it on Allen's 13-yard run with 2:14 remaining. Bass added a 47-yard field goal as time expired for a 20-13 halftime advantage.