The Buffalo Bills defeated the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 on Saturday for their first playoff win in 25 years thanks to an outstanding performance by quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen was excellent on the afternoon, with his patented improvisation leading to at least one Bills score, a three-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Knox on a busted designed quarterback run.
Well, that was wild.
📺 #INDvsBUF: https://t.co/ca2pAxAtPb pic.twitter.com/OhXJhVDcss
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 9, 2021
The MVP-candidate completed 26 of 35 passes for 324 yards and two scores, while also rushing for 54 yards and a touchdown. Allen was a vast improvement over performance a season ago in Buffalo’s first round exit, where he failed to run or pass for a touchdown as his team surrendered a double-digit second half lead.
The Allen-to-Diggs connection also continued to dominate Saturday, as the quarterback found his All-Pro wideout 35-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Diggs finished the day with six receptions for 128 yards and the score.
That Allen to Diggs connection. 👌
📺 #INDvsBUF: https://t.co/ca2pAxAtPb pic.twitter.com/ppLx2vY5VI
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 9, 2021
A surgical as Buffalo was throwing the football, the Colts were never going to go down lightly. While the defense had Allen under constant duress all game, the Indianapolis offense clicking through the air and on the ground.
Looking to exercise some playoff demons of his own, Colts quarterback Philip Rivers was effective, though he appeared to struggle when attempting to push the ball downfield at times. The veteran passed for 309 yards and a pair of touchdown, connecting with eight different receivers. Rookie wideout Michael Pittman Jr. was Rivers’ primary target, catching five passes for 90 yards, while his touchdown strikes went to tight end Jack Doyle and receiver Zach Pascal.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor continued his impressive rookie campaign, piercing the Buffalo defense for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Indianapolis executed a near-perfect game play, but poor timeout management by head coach Frank Reich hurt the Colts down the stretch and ultimately prevented them from mounting a successful game-winning drive.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are able to knock off the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night, it will set up a Week 14 rematch with the Bills in Buffalo next weekend.