INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts committed four costly turnovers in their 30-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The loss was the Colts’ third straight. Before its recent losing streak, Indianapolis had won four out of five to eclipse the .500 mark in week 7. The 10-point final margin was the Colts’ first loss by more than one score this season.
The trouble started on the Colts’ first play of their first possession, as Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson intercepted quarterback Joe Flacco and returned the takeaway for a 23-yard touchdown and early 7-0 lead.
The Colts picked up two first downs on their next drive, but Flacco was picked off again — this time by Bills’ defensive tackle Austin Johnson. Buffalo turned the takeaway into a Tyler Bass 29-yard field goal to make the game 10-0.
Running back Jonathan Taylor helped get the Colts’ offense moving in a positive direction with a 58-yard run on the Indy’s third possession. The drive ended with a 27-yard Matt Gay field goal.
After the defense stopped Buffalo on fourth-and-3, Flacco put together an 11-play, 72-yard drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass to running back Tyler Goodson to tie the game at 10.
The Colts then briefly took the lead. Linebacker E.J. Speed picked off Bills quarterback Josh Allen, leading to a Gay 23-yard field goal for a 13-10 advantage. The interception was the first of Speed’s career.
Buffalo answered right back with an eight-play, 70-yard drive. Allen showed his big-play ability with a 13-yard touchdown run to put the Bills back in front, 17-13. Buffalo tacked on a 47-yard Bass field goal to lead 20-13 at halftime.
The Colts put together a promising drive in the third quarter, but defensive end Greg Rousseau strip-sacked Flacco at the Buffalo 47-yard line and defensive back Damar Hamlin recovered for the Bills.
Allen gave the ball right back to the Colts on an interception to cornerback Kenny Moore II, but Indianapolis couldn’t capitalize, turning the ball over on downs. The turnover was forced with defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson sacked Flacco on a fourth-and-2 at the Bills’ 20-yard line.
Buffalo added a 28-yard Bass field goal to make it a two-possession game early in the fourth quarter. Desperate for some offense, Flacco threw his third interception of the game as safety Taylor Rapp picked off a pass intended for wideout Alec Pierce.
Running back James Cook scored on a two-yard touchdown with just over three minutes to play to put the game out of reach. Flacco connected with Pierce for a 10-yard touchdown with two seconds to play to provide the final score.
The Colts fall to 4-6 on the season with the loss and now head back on the road next week to take on the New York Jets at 1 p.m. on CBS4.