Winning in Indianapolis isn't supposed to be this hard. Yet, for the Buffalo Bills, it felt like a cursed trip for nearly three decades. Before November 10, 2024, you had to go all the way back to 1998 to find the last time Buffalo walked out of Lucas Oil Stadium (or the RCA Dome back then) with a victory. That's a lot of flight miles and disappointment.
The Bills and Colts game in Week 10 of the 2024 season finally broke that spell. It wasn't the prettiest game of Josh Allen's career. Honestly, it was kinda messy. But the 30-20 final score told a story of a team that finally knew how to win even when their superstar quarterback was having an "off" day.
What Actually Happened at Lucas Oil Stadium
Most people expected a blowout. The Bills were rolling, and the Colts were stuck in a weird quarterback limbo between the benched Anthony Richardson and the veteran Joe Flacco. It started like a dream for Buffalo.
On the very first play from scrimmage, Taron Johnson picked off Flacco. He took it 23 yards to the house. 7-0 before most fans had even sat down with their popcorn. That’s the kind of start that usually leads to a 40-point rout, but the Colts aren't built to just lay down. Jonathan Taylor decided to remind everyone why he’s one of the best in the business, ripping off a 59-yard run that basically dragged the Colts back into the contest.
By the second quarter, it was actually 13-10 in favor of Indianapolis. Think about that. The Bills had a pick-six and still found themselves trailing. Josh Allen threw two interceptions in the first half—uncharacteristic for his 2024 MVP-caliber run—and for a minute, it felt like that Indy curse was real.
The Turning Point Nobody Talks About
While everyone focuses on the touchdowns, the real story was the Bills’ defense. They didn't just bend; they snapped back. They forced four turnovers in total.
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Joe Flacco looked every bit his age under the relentless pressure from Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa. Every time the Colts threatened to take over the momentum in the second half, the Buffalo pass rush or a timely interception by Taylor Rapp or Austin Johnson shut the door.
Josh Allen eventually found his rhythm, or at least his legs. He scrambled for a 13-yard touchdown that tied him with O.J. Simpson for the second-most rushing touchdowns in franchise history. That’s 57, if you're keeping track. It was a milestone moment in a game that felt more like a street fight than a track meet.
Why This Bills and Colts Game Mattered for the Standings
You can’t overlook the context of this win. Buffalo moved to 8-2, their best start since 1993. That’s the "Super Bowl era" Buffalo for those who remember the early 90s.
- The Division Race: This win effectively put a stranglehold on the AFC East.
- The Playoff Seed: It kept them within striking distance of the Kansas City Chiefs for the number one seed (though we know how that race usually ends).
- The Injuries: Buffalo did this without Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper. Dalton Kincaid went down early with a knee injury, too.
Mack Hollins stepped up. Khalil Shakir was his usual reliable self. It was a "blue-collar" win. If you're a Bills fan, these are the games that actually give you hope for January. It’s easy to win when Josh Allen is throwing five touchdowns. It’s hard to win when he’s throwing two picks and your WR1 is Mack Hollins.
The Joe Flacco Problem
On the other side of the ball, this game was essentially the beginning of the end for the "Flacco experiment" in Indianapolis. Fans were screaming for Anthony Richardson to return.
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Flacco finished with 272 yards and two touchdowns, but those three interceptions were backbreakers. You simply can't give a team as good as Buffalo extra possessions. Shane Steichen, the Colts' head coach, looked visibly frustrated on the sideline. The Colts fell to 4-6, and the path to a Wild Card spot started looking like a mountain climb in flip-flops.
Breaking Down the Stats
If you just look at the box score, you might think it was closer than it felt.
- Josh Allen: 22/37, 280 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT (but 50 rush yards and a TD).
- Joe Flacco: 26/35, 272 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT.
- Jonathan Taylor: 114 yards on 21 carries.
- Mack Hollins: 86 yards on 4 catches (the unsung hero).
The Bills' defense was the real MVP. Four sacks, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery. They held the Colts to just 3-of-11 on third downs. That’s where the game was won. You stop a team on third down, you win in the NFL. Period.
Common Misconceptions About the Matchup
A lot of analysts said the Bills were "lucky" because of the interceptions.
That’s a bit of a lazy take. Buffalo’s defensive scheme under Sean McDermott and Bobby Babich is designed to bait veteran quarterbacks into those exact throws. Taron Johnson didn't just stumble into that pick-six; he jumped the route because he knew exactly what Flacco was looking for.
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Another misconception? That the Colts' offense was "bad." Actually, they moved the ball pretty well. They outgained the Bills in certain stretches and Jonathan Taylor was averaging over five yards a carry. They just couldn't stop shooting themselves in the foot.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans
Watching the Bills and Colts game provides a few lessons if you're looking at the rest of the season or future matchups between these two.
- Trust the Bills' Depth: When Cooper and Coleman are out, don't assume the offense will die. Joe Brady has turned this into a "everyone touches the ball" system.
- Monitor the Colts' QB Situation: The 2024 season proved that veteran "stability" is a myth if the defense is aggressive.
- Betting Value: Buffalo has historically struggled in Indy, but the "curse" is officially dead. Don't let historical trends from the late 90s influence your modern picks.
- Defense Wins Road Games: Buffalo’s ability to generate 17 points off turnovers is the blueprint for winning away from Highmark Stadium.
The Bills eventually finished the regular season at 13-4, clinching yet another AFC East title. This specific win in Indianapolis was the bridge that got them there, proving they could survive a "bad" Josh Allen day. For the Colts, it was a harsh reminder that in the modern NFL, you need more than a legendary running back to beat the elite tier of the AFC.
Keep an eye on the turnover differential for both teams moving forward. Buffalo finished the year near the top of the league, and games like this one in Indianapolis were exactly why. It wasn't flashy, but it was effective. That's championship-caliber football.