Plays that defined 2018: Indianapolis Colts

With the 2018 NFL season in the books, we look back at the year and our beloved Buffalo Bills. Every week is a story, and we bring this to you through the lens of key plays that defined each game. Your Week 7 match-up:

Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts

I’d like to begin with a joke. A free agent quarterback walks into a bar. The bartender asks “What’ll it be buddy?” The quarterback replies: “Nothing, I’ve just been signed by the Buffalo Bills and have to start a game in less than two weeks. I need to go get a playbook.” OK, OK. It’s less joke and more “95% accurate version of how Derek Anderson came to be the starting quarterback against the Indianapolis Colts.” It was good to see Frank Reich again at least.

Defense allows Marlon Mack to convert on 4th-and-1 (Q1, 3:22)

At midfield faced with fourth-and-short, rookie head coach Frank Reich elected to be aggressive and go for it. As seen above, it worked. The drive would extend into the second quarter and result in the first score of the game. Though Adam Vinatieri would miss the extra point, it would be the only score needed to win. The Buffalo Bills allowed the Colts to run all day, amassing 220 yards on 37 carries. Despite the eventual blowout, Andrew Luck would only throw 23 times for 156 net passing yards. Derek Anderson threw for 168.

Charles Clay fumble (Q2, 11:01)

Giving credit where it’s due, Derek Anderson played well given the circumstances. Demonstrating good poise, the ball is delivered a little off but catchable to Charles Clay. Some debate occurred over whether Clay ever had possession, but the ruling by the officials was a turnover. The Colts didn’t waste time and punched the ball into the end zone in four plays thanks to two 29-yard receptions.

Derek Anderson interception (Q2, 0:29)

Trailing by 21 nearing the halfway point, Buffalo needed to get something going. Derek Anderson attempted to fit this pass in to Kelvin Benjamin but missed the mark. The interception and resulting 47-yard return set the Colts up to increase their lead by a field goal. Derek Anderson would throw three interceptions, though two occurred after the game was already decided.

Safety (Q3, 0:25)

The Bills would only manage to put up five points all day. And 40% of that score came from Andrew Luck being unable to field this snap. Lorenzo Alexander has a great chance to get to the ball to score a touchdown instead, but runs into Luck as he’s about to scoop up the ball.

Derek Anderson fumble (Q4, 14:56)

Trailing by 19 points after the safety, the Bills have a slim chance at a comeback. Receiving the ball after being gifted two points, there was zero room for error. As you can see, Derek Anderson climbs the pocket and into the waiting arms of Kemoko Turay, who spins off of Dion Dawkins. Replays clearly show Turay slapping the ball forward. Indianapolis took advantage of another turnover and extended their lead to 26. The Colts would go on to score again and the disaster was in the books.