The Indianapolis Colts laid an egg in Week 1 of the 2015 season. After being shut out in the first half, the Colts rally fell well short as they lost to the Buffalo Bills, 27-14.
While on the surface this looked like another game where the team was simply unprepared, Andrew Luck did the Colts few favors. There are times in his career where Luck has simply been off and throws errant pass after errant pass. Today was one of those days.
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Luck struggled during a rainy afternoon against one of best defenses in the NFL. Luck completed 26-of-49 passes 243 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a pair of interceptions. An average game from Luck would have put this Colts team ahead early and likely led to a win.
Luck’s touchdowns went to Donte Moncrief and Dwayne Allen. Eight different receivers caught passes from Luck today.
The Bills secondary blanketed the Colts receivers, rarely allowing any separation or yards after the catch. The offensive line, thought to be a liability, played fairly well for most of the afternoon. Luck did take a number of hits and was sacked twice, but wasn’t under duress all day like many thought he would be.
The Bills blitzed often, but the Colts couldn’t take advantage of the matchups down field.
Defensively, the Colts played well in spurts but gave up too many big plays. The biggest issue is still poor play from the middle linebackers who struggled to keep Tyrod Taylor check when he scrambled. And despite getting to Taylor in the back field a number of times, the Colts failed to record a sack.
The Colts saw a number of drives in the first half die in the face of penalties. The Colts finished with five penalties for 49 yards (a far cry from the 11 for 113 by the Bills, however).
Frank Gore had eight carries for just 31 yards as the Colts eschewed the run game for most of the afternoon. Gore would eventually leave the game early with a calf cramp.
T.Y. Hilton also left the game early, but this time with a knee injury. He finished the day with seven receptions for 88 yards.
The Colts return home next week to face the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.