Soccer is again! The Buffalo Payments opened up their preseason internet hosting the Indianapolis Colts. Teaching philosophy variations have been straightforward to see proper out of the gate as Sean McDermott rested the Payments’ starters whereas Frank Reich performed lots of the Colts’ starters into the second quarter.

Buffalo obtained the opening kickoff and promptly trotted out the backups together with an offensive line of Tommy Doyle, Greg Van Roten, Bobby Hart, Luke Tenuta, and Cody Ford. Khalil Shakir opened up in a giant manner with an extended catch and run all the best way to the 50, adopted by one other catch with good effort to get one other first down only a couple performs later. Zack Moss confirmed up on the drive however a pair missed ultimately zone ended the Payments drive on downs. Case Keenum’s final ditch move to O.J. Howard was a bit excessive.

The rookie corners confirmed up early and sometimes with Kaiir Elam breaking apart a 3rd down move to finish the Colts’ first drive. Much more spectacular is the truth that the Colts have been primarily taking part in starters.

The Payments put Shakir out to return the primary punt, which additionally was the Payments first penalty of the yr with Terrel Bernard referred to as for offensive holding through the return. Keenum rocketed a move to Jamison Crowder in a brief yardage move, which caromed off Crowder and into the fingers of the Colts for the primary of a number of turnovers for Buffalo.

Buffalo’s protection shined once more, making the Colts accept a area aim. An unimaginable aim line cease on third down was adopted by a false begin by Indy. Jaquan Johnson returned the kickoff to midfield, however Buffalo’s drive stalled in a run, run, move scenario that was harking back to the drought period groups. Matt Haack was referred to as out to punt first, pinning the Colts on the 12 with a 38 yarder.

The Colts began off robust however the Payments rookies and depth gamers have been stronger on the subsequent drive. Cam Lewis had a spotlight reel deal with for a loss coming in for a nook blitz, altering fluidly to run assist. Lewis then supplied the protection for an incomplete move. Indianapolis went for it on fourth, however the Matt Ryan move was damaged up by Christian Benford.

Keenum’s unhealthy day continued with a tipped move. That was adopted by a spectacular throw and catch to Jake Kumerow who coughed it as much as finish the primary quarter.

The Colts saved their starters in for the primary drive within the second quarter after the Kumerow fumble. The Colts turned the ball over on downs with a drive that featured some sloppy penalties and a pleasant sack by Prince Emili.

Buffalo’s subsequent drive ended with a fumble from Keenum who was hit proper earlier than he might visibly push the ball ahead and create a case for an incomplete move. Whereas the Colts recovered, a sack and compelled fumble by Boogie Basham led to a Terrel Bernard restoration. That is additionally by the way the primary landing of the yr, with Bernard having a 69-yard scoop and rating.

A nasty overthrow by Nick Foles led to a Jaquan Johnson interception, who introduced all of it the best way again to the Colts’s 15. Case Keenum gave it proper again on the subsequent move. Issues acquired a little bit chippy with a gaggle scuffle on the sidelines.

The protection had an up and down subsequent drive, with Elam incomes the primary defensive move interference of his profession. Two performs with tight protection by Elam compelled a 4th & 8.Terrel Bernard trailed in protection because the Colts went for it on fourth down once more. The blown protection and a minor harm to Kaiir Elam led to a stroll in landing for the Colts. Elam was evaluated for a head harm, however cleared later within the sport. Buffalo didn’t carry him again onto the sphere although.

Duke Johnson was the subsequent returner and was highlighted on offense to begin the drive. Johnson didn’t ship and the Payments went three-and-out. The play of the drive got here from Matt Araiza who punted from the shadow of his personal endzone. The 82 yard punt and touchback was obtained with a good quantity of applause from the group.

The Payments held up because the half was ending with a deal with for loss and batted move. McDermott referred to as a timeout with 36 seconds left on the clock, with Khalil Shakir returning the punt to begin an aggressive Payments drive. An incomplete to Tommy Sweeney burned time the Payments didn’t have and a few sloppy penalties by each groups have been adopted by a Keenum sack to shut the half.

Popping out of the half, the Colts began with the ball with Sam Ehlinger in at QB. A 17-yard sack was worn out by an unlawful low block by Joe Giles-Harris. Baylon Spector had a improbable bat coming in on a blitz. Buffalo introduced good stress on the drive, however the Colts discovered the top zone anyway.

It was Raheem Blackshear’s flip to return the kickoff, resulting in Matt Barkley time. Two chunk play passes to Shakir have been a part of a promising drive that led to a 48-yard area aim. As an apart, Matt Araiza was the holder for additional factors and area objectives for the complete sport which was the massive query for the rookie punter.

The third quarter closed with extra up and down from the protection. Sam Ehlinger had a pair scrambles to maintain the chains transferring, however was additionally taken down for a serious loss by Kingsley Jonathan and Andre Smith Jr., the latter of which is able to get the credit score for the sack. The Colts held the ball for a pair minutes into the fourth quarter, however Daniel Joseph ended the drive with one other sack.

Duke Johnson got here out for a punt return, however needed to name for a good catch. Stress led to a Matt Barkley interception, the fifth turnover for Buffalo. The Colts made their landing a bit extra dramatic with a penalty calling again their first journey into the endzone. Just a few performs later they acquired the rating anyway, capping it off with a two-point conversion.

Matt Barkley and the Payments lastly acquired going, discovering the endzone on a aim line run by Raheem Blackshear. The drive included an outstanding sideline move to Isaiah Hodgins. Buffalo additionally elected to go for 2, however Barkley was picked off in again nook of the endzone by Dallis Flowers.

Trailing by eight, the Buffalo protection shortly compelled a punt, with Blackshear returning once more. On third down, a improbable throw from Barkley to Quintin Morris saved the drive alive and a facemask name on the Colts put the ball on the eleven. One other speeding landing from Blackshear had the celebration reduce quick as Blackshear stayed down after the rating. The rookie walked off underneath his personal energy and returned to the sport for the ultimate drive. Duke Johnson transformed the 2 level try to tied the sport with just below 4 minutes to play.

Buffalo compelled a three-and-out, to raucous preseason applause and Duke Johnson was the return man on the punt. An excellent Barkley move to Isaiah Hodgins in tight protection and one other move to Hodgins noticed him squeak ahead for one more two first downs in a row.

Sean McDermott and Ken Dorsey switched to situational soccer, with methodical performs protecting the ball transferring towards area aim vary. Neil Pau’u got here down with a pleasant catch towards the top of regulation. An unlawful contact by Tanner Gentry was a black mark on the drive, however saved the Payments in area aim vary. Barkley and Hodgins acquired the crew a little bit nearer for Tyler Bass.

As time expired, Matt Araiza cleanly introduced the ball down from Reid Ferguson’s snap and Tyler Bass nailed a 46-yard area aim proper down the center.

Notes:

• Buffalo has a knack for both discovering or teaching defensive backs because the rookies performed very properly. Cynthia Frelund reported three NFL executives have been inquiring about Christian Benford turning into obtainable earlier than the sport was over.
• A pair harm shut calls aren’t ultimate, nevertheless it’s additionally not that shabby. Hopefully we proceed to see good well being.
• The Case Keenum offense was shaky. A few of it was Keenum. A few of it was the supporting forged. A few of it was taking part in the Colts’ starters. Matt Barkley regarded higher, however there’s an argument that the standard of competitors dived when he got here in.
• It’s preseason and Jonathan Taylor wasn’t taking part in, however the run protection regarded good.