buffalo bills vs colts match player stats
The NFL is a league where rivalries ignite passions and individual brilliance can swing the momentum of any game. One such electrifying matchup unfolded on November 10, 2024, when the Buffalo Bills traveled to face the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. This Week 10 contest wasn’t just another Sunday afternoon tilt; it was a showcase of resilience, defensive heroics, and opportunistic scoring that left fans buzzing long after the final Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats.
The Bills, riding a wave of four straight victories and boasting a potent offense led by MVP-candidate Josh Allen, entered the game as favorites. Meanwhile, the Colts were grappling with quarterback instability, turning to veteran Joe Flacco after benching young star Anthony Richardson. What resulted was a 30-20 victory for Buffalo, powered by a pick-six on the opening play and a ground game that refused to be denied. This article breaks down the Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats, highlighting top performers in passing, rushing, receiving, and defense. Whether you’re a die-hard Bills Mafia member or a Colts fan dissecting what went wrong, these insights reveal the numbers behind the narrative—and why this game could foreshadow playoff intensity.
Buffalo Bills vs Colts Match Player Stats: Game Overview and Key Moments
Before diving into the granular stats, let’s set the scene. The Bills struck first and fast: On the Colts’ initial snap, Flacco’s pass intended for wideout Alec Pierce was intercepted by Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, who returned it 23 yards for a touchdown. That early jolt set a tone of defensive dominance for Buffalo, who forced four total turnovers from Indianapolis.
The game ebbed and flowed through the afternoon. Flacco rallied the Colts with a pair of touchdown passes, but Buffalo’s balanced attack—mixing Allen’s dual-threat magic with James Cook’s vision—proved too much. A critical fourth-quarter touchdown run by Cook sealed the deal, extending Buffalo’s win streak to five and dropping the Colts to 4-6. Total yards favored the Bills at 415-361, with a decisive edge in time of possession (31:55 to 28:05). Penalties hurt Buffalo more (8 for 54 yards), but their efficiency on third downs (7-of-14) kept drives alive.
Passing Buffalo Bills vs Colts Match Player Stats
Quarterbacks often steal the spotlight, and this game was no exception. Both signal-callers faced blitzes and coverage schemes that tested their mettle, but the stats tell a tale of turnovers versus poise.
Joe Flacco’s Struggles and Sparks
At 39 years old, Flacco brought gravitas to a Colts offense desperate for stability. His line: 26 completions on 35 attempts for 272 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt, with two touchdowns and a costly three interceptions. The picks were brutal— the first gifted Buffalo seven points immediately, while the others stalled promising drives. Flacco absorbed four sacks for a 32-yard loss, yet he connected on deep balls, including a 36-yard strike to rookie Adonai Mitchell in the Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats.
- Completion percentage: 74.3% – Impressive volume, but the interceptions dropped his passer rating to 79.7.
- Touchdown passes: To running back Tyler Goodson (2 yards) and tight end Mo Alie-Cox (11 yards), showing Flacco’s red-zone savvy.
- Key miss: A telegraphed throw to Pierce in the end zone late in the third quarter, picked off by Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
Flacco’s performance highlighted his experience but also the rust from limited starts.
Josh Allen’s Ground-and-Pound Mastery
Buffalo’s franchise cornerstone, Allen, endured two picks of his own but thrived with his legs. He went 23-of-37 for 280 yards, no touchdowns through the air, but added 50 rushing yards on eight carries, including a 13-yard touchdown scamper in the Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats. His 60.6 passer rating was below his season norm, but the dual-threat element (averaging 7.6 yards per pass) kept defenses honest.
- Notable connections: A 29-yard dart to Khalil Shakir on third-and-long in the second quarter extended a drive, and a 22-yarder to Dalton Kincaid set up Cook’s score.
- Interceptions: One tipped by Colts LB E.J. Speed, the other a deep shot under heavy pressure—reminders that even elites have off days.
- Sacks taken: Just two for no yards lost, thanks to a stout offensive line anchored by O’Cyrus Torrence.
Allen’s rushing TD was his 57th career score on the ground, tying Bills legend O.J. Simpson for second all-time.
| Quarterback | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTs | Passer Rating |
| Josh Allen (BUF) | 23/37 | 280 | 0 | 2 | 60.6 |
| Joe Flacco (IND) | 26/35 | 272 | 2 | 3 | 79.7 |
Rushing Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats: Cook’s Vision vs. Taylor’s Early Burst
The ground game separated contenders from pretenders in this matchup. Buffalo’s rushing attack was overwhelmed in the second half, while Indianapolis leaned on Jonathan Taylor but couldn’t sustain momentum.
James Cook’s Breakout Afternoon
Bills running back James Cook was the game’s engine, churning out 80 yards on 19 carries (4.2 average), capped by a 2-yard touchdown plunge in the fourth. His patience and burst—evident on a 14-yard scamper that flipped field position—complemented Allen’s scrambles.
- Long run: 18 yards, showcasing his elusiveness against Colts LB Zaire Franklin.
- Season context: This performance pushed Cook over 700 rushing yards for 2024, solidifying his role as Buffalo’s bell-cow back.
- Impact: Buffalo totaled 135 rushing yards on 31 attempts, controlling the clock and wearing down Indy’s front seven.
Jonathan Taylor’s Halftime Fade
Colts star Taylor exploded for 114 yards on 21 carries (5.4 average) before halftime, including a 23-yard burst that set up a field goal in the Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats. But Buffalo’s adjustments—stacking the box with linebackers like Matt Milano—limited him to just 10 yards after intermission.
- Touchdowns: None, but he forced five missed tackles per Next Gen Stats.
- Team total: Indianapolis managed 121 yards on 22 rushes, but turnovers killed drives.
- Backup contribution: Tyler Goodson added 6 yards on two carries, plus his receiving score.
Rushing was pivotal: Buffalo’s 135 yards edged out the Colts’ 121, but the Bills converted more short-yardage situations, going 3-for-3 on fourth down.
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | Long | TDs |
| James Cook | BUF | 19 | 80 | 4.2 | 18 | 1 |
| Jonathan Taylor | IND | 21 | 114 | 5.4 | 23 | 0 |
| Josh Allen | BUF | 8 | 50 | 6.3 | 13 | 1 |
Receiving Stats: Mitchell’s Emergence and Shakir’s Reliability
Wideouts and tight ends feasted on underneath routes, but drops and coverage battles shaped the Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats sheet. Rookie Adonai Mitchell’s breakout contrasted with Buffalo’s distributed targets.
Adonai Mitchell’s Rookie Spotlight
In his finest pro outing, Colts WR Adonai Mitchell hauled in 6 catches for 71 yards, including a 36-yard grab that sparked a scoring drive. His contested-catch ability (two 50/50 balls won) hinted at star potential.
- Targets: 8, with a 75% catch rate.
- Key play: A 15-yard out-route for a first down on third-and-6 in the third quarter.
- Season arc: Mitchell’s 71 yards doubled his prior high, boosting Indy’s WR depth amid Michael Pittman Jr.’s quiet 4-for-42 line.
Buffalo’s Target Spread
No Bills receiver dominated, but Khalil Shakir (5 receptions, 68 yards) and Dalton Kincaid (4 for 52) provided steady chains. Keon Coleman added 3 for 35, including a 20-yard post IN THE Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats.
- Team leaders: Shakir’s 13-yard average highlighted YAC (yards after catch).
- Colts side: Goodson (3-25, 1 TD) and Alie-Cox (2-18, 1 TD) chipped in, but Pierce managed just 2-19 amid drops.
Receiving yards were close—Buffalo 280, Colts 240—but the Bills’ zero passing TDs meant field goals (three by Tyler Bass) bridged the gap.
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards | Avg | Long | TDs |
| Adonai Mitchell | IND | 6 | 71 | 11.8 | 36 | 0 |
| Khalil Shakir | BUF | 5 | 68 | 13.6 | 29 | 0 |
| Dalton Kincaid | BUF | 4 | 52 | 13.0 | 22 | 0 |
Defensive Buffalo Bills Vs Colts Match Player Stats
Defense won this day for Buffalo, who capitalized on Indy miscues. The Bills’ secondary and front four combined for chaos, while the Colts’ unit notched sacks but couldn’t force stops.
Buffalo’s Turnover-Forcing Front
Taron Johnson was the hero with his 23-yard pick-six, but the unit tallied four takeaways total. Linebacker Matt Milano led tacklers with 8 (6 solo), including a third-down stop on Taylor. Greg Rousseau added 1.5 sacks, pressuring Flacco relentlessly.
- Interceptions: Johnson (1), Hamlin (1), plus a fumble recovery by Christian Benford.
- Sacks: 4 total, disrupting rhythm.
- Season tie-in: Buffalo’s +8 turnover margin entering the game jumped to +12, league-best.
Indianapolis’s Resilient but Ineffective Stop Unit
Colts DE Dayo Odeyingbo recorded 2 sacks and drew a roughing penalty (later fined for punches thrown post-play), but the secondary faltered. LB E.J. Speed had 7 tackles and an INT, yet coverage lapses allowed Allen’s scrambles.
- Sacks: 2 on Allen, but minimal impact.
- Missed tackles: 11 per PFF, leading to Buffalo’s YAC explosion.
- Standout: Rookie CB JuJu Brents with 6 tackles and a pass breakup on Shakir.
Defensive Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats underscored Buffalo’s opportunistic bent: 4 turnovers forced vs. Indy’s 2.
Impact Players and Game-Changing Plays
Beyond box scores, certain athletes altered trajectories:
- Taron Johnson (BUF CB): His opening pick-six shifted psychology instantly—Buffalo never trailed.
- James Cook (BUF RB): 80 rushing yards plus blocking for Allen’s TD run; his vision evaded arm tackles.
- Jonathan Taylor (IND RB): 114 yards masked deeper issues, like Flacco’s picks.
- Tyler Bass (BUF K): 3-of-3 on field goals (25, 28, 44 yards), providing breathing room.
- Adonai Mitchell (IND WR): 71 yards signaled a changing of the guard in Indy’s receiving corps.
These moments— from Johnson’s dash to Cook’s seal—elevated Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats into a story.
Historical Context: Buffalo Bills vs Colts Match Player Stats
This 2024 clash fits a lopsided history favoring Buffalo (45-38 all-time). Recent meetings: Bills won 30-20 in 2024; Colts edged 41-15 in 2021. Allen is 2-1 vs. Indy lifetime, with 800+ passing yards. Taylor owns the rushing edge (300+ yards in three games), but Buffalo’s defense has held Colts RBs under 100 yards in four of the last five.
FAQ
What was the final score of the Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats on November 10, 2024?
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Indianapolis Colts 30-20, thanks to a pick-six and two rushing touchdowns.
Who led the Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats in rushing?
Jonathan Taylor topped with 114 yards for Indy, but James Cook‘s 80 yards and TD proved more decisive for Buffalo.
How many passing yards did Josh Allen record against the Colts?
Allen threw for 280 yards on 23-of-37 passing, adding 50 rushing yards and a touchdown.
What caused the Colts’ loss in the Bills matchup?
Three interceptions by Joe Flacco, including a pick-six, and second-half rushing woes (10 yards for Taylor) doomed Indianapolis.
Where can I find more Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats?
Check official NFL sites like ESPN or Pro-Football-Reference for advanced metrics and highlights.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats from November 10, 2024, paint a vivid portrait of a game where defense and determination outshone raw yardage. Josh Allen’s versatility, James Cook’s grit, and Taron Johnson’s opportunism propelled Buffalo to a statement win, while Joe Flacco’s turnovers and Jonathan Taylor’s fade underscored Indy’s growing pains. This 30-20 thriller wasn’t just about numbers— it was a microcosm of the AFC’s cutthroat parity, where one play (or pick) can redefine a season.
As the Bills chase a deep playoff run and the Colts recalibrate their QB room, these Buffalo Bills vs Colts match player stats serve as a benchmark. Buffalo’s balance positions them as contenders; Indy’s flashes (like Mitchell’s emergence) offer hope. Relive the highlights, debate the what-ifs, and remember: In the NFL, stats are the spark, but execution lights the fire.
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