3 matchups that will decide Colts vs. Bills Week 11 game
The Indianapolis Colts hit the road to challenge the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. Here are the matchups that will decide the game.
The Indianapolis Colts have won four of their last five games and enter Week 11 at 5-5. Their opponent this week, the Buffalo Bills, are a step up in competition from the teams they have been beating lately.
Buffalo enters the game at 6-3 and has mostly dominated everyone this year, with the exception of a few letdowns. As competition tightens in their division, the Bills will certainly be focused when the Colts come to town, as they want to hold onto the top spot in the AFC East.
Buffalo is favorited to win by multiple possessions, but this NFL season has already taught us that odds mean nothing. This game will be a competitive rematch of last year’s Wild Card game, and both teams will be fighting for something.
Here’s a look at three matchups that will decide who wins this game.
3. Colts vs. Bills matchup to watch: Buffalo’s receivers vs. Indianapolis’ secondary
The first matchup that will be pivotal in this game is the Colts’ secondary vs the Bills’ receivers. Buffalo clearly has the advantage, as they are efficient in the passing game, while Indianapolis’ secondary has struggled all season.
Through the first 10 weeks of the season, the Colts have the 20th-ranked pass defense, allowing 249.9 yards a game. This unit has been decimated by injury and just doesn’t have the personnel to consistently stop teams.
Meanwhile, the Bills have the sixth-best passing attack in the NFL, averaging 279.2 yards a game. They are led by Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, who have connected 56 times for 750 yards and four touchdowns in nine games.
When Buffalo won last season’s Wild Card game 24-21, it was because of their performance through the air. In that game, Allen was 26-of-35 with 324 yards and two touchdowns. One of the touchdowns went to Diggs, who had six total catches for 128 yards.
If the Colts’ secondary is unable to step up on Sunday and contain Buffalo’s passing attack, Indianapolis will face the same fate they did in the playoffs.