Buffalo Rumblings
Turnovers, sacks, and points aplenty
The Buffalo Bills took on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and despite heading to Lucas Oil Stadium with a depleted roster, they came away with their fifth-straight win and plenty to Shout! about — including being 8-2 for the first time since 1993.
The 30-20 win was the fourth-straight game in which Buffalo had put 30 or more points on the scoreboard while adding to their season win column. The Bills have accomplished this feat four other times in the team’s history (most recently in 2021) with their streak coming in 2004 when they won six straight games while scoring 30-plus points in each.
Speaking of records for wins — Sunday’s win was the first time the Bills have won in Indianapolis since the 1998 season. The only players on the current Buffalo roster who were alive then? — Von Miller, Sam Martin, Jordan Phillips, DaQuan Jones, Quinton Jefferson, and Mack Hollins.
The game started fast for Buffalo’s defense with Taron Johnson and Austin Johnson intercepting quarterback Joe Flacco on Indianapolis’ first two offensive drives. It’s the first time the Bills have recorded takeaways on each of their opponent’s first two drives since they did the same thing to the Miami Dolphins in December 2018.
For Taron Johnson who returned his catch for a score, it was the third pick-six of his career, and, the first time a Bill has scored on their opponents opening drive since October 2013. When he sacked Flacco later in the game, Taron Johnson became the fifth Buffalo defensive back to record the combination.
When Austin Johnson intercepted Flacco minutes later, he became the third Buffalo defensive lineman to record multiple interception in a single season. With his second interception in three weeks, Austin Johnson joined A.J. Epenesa (2023) and Ron McDole (1968) in the record books.
The Bills took the ball from the Colts four times on Sunday – not counting a turnover on downs. Along with the Johnson-duo’s interceptions, Damar Hamlin recovered a fumble, the first of his career, after a Greg Rousseau strip sack and a Taylor Rapp interception late in the game. The Bills have now recorded a minimum of one takeaway in each of their last twelve games stretching back to last season. Despite a pair of interceptions thrown by Josh Allen on Sunday, Buffalo is leading the NFL with a +13 turnover differential this season.
Josh Allen added his name to another page in the Bills’ record books on Sunday as well. With his 13-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, he tied O.J. Simpson for the second most rushing touchdowns — 57 — in team history. He now needs eight more to tie Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas for first.
In addition, Allen’s 50 rushing yards on Sunday put him within 17 yards of Travis Henry’s fifth place list on total rushing yards for a Buffalo Bill.
With their fifth straight win, combined with a New York Jets loss, the Bills...
