BY: JOE KONZE JR
One more sleep.
That is all that stands between #BillsMafia and the start of the NFL Playoffs.
On Saturday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills (13-3) will play host to the Indianapolis Colts (11-5) in the NFL Wild Card Round at Bills Stadium.
The Bills, who are hosting their first home playoff game since 1996, have enjoyed a successful season that included an AFC East division title (first in 25 years), a 13-win season (first since 1991) and their first division sweep (6-0) in franchise history.
Indianapolis has been an exciting team to watch this season. Led by veteran quarterback Phillip Rivers, the Colts finished second in the AFC South and fell just shy of winning the division.
With a home playoff game to look forward to, here are a few things to look out for in Saturday’s matchup.
The last time they met:
The last time the Bills and Colts met was on Oct. 21, 2018, a game that Bills fans would like to forget.
Led by quarterback Andrew Luck, the Colts’ high-powered offense jumped out to an early 24-0 lead. The Bills struggled to climb back into the game and only managed to score five points on a 34-yard field goal from Stephen Hauschka and a safety when Indianapolis’ Ryan Kelly’s snap sailed over the head of luck and rolled through the back of the end zone.
The Bills lost the game 37-5.
He said it
“We’re trying to go out and obviously win the next game. Nothing matters unless we win this one. That’s our mind set. Going from playoff caliber to championship caliber, something coach McDermott always preaches to us.”
Josh Allen on proving himself in a Playoff Game
Key Players to Watch
Indianapolis Colts- Running Back Jonathan Taylor
The stoutly built running back has had an impressive 2020 season for the Colts and has no problem lowering his shoulder for a little extra yardage. In 15 games, Taylor amassed 1,169 yards, 11 touchdowns and averaged 5 yards per carry. Last weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he set a franchise-record 253 yards on 30 carries and added two touchdowns. The Bills will have to play physical up front if they want to contain Taylor.
Buffalo Bills- Quarterback Josh Allen
The 2019 wild card playoff loss to the Houston Texans seems to have motivated Allen. The 2017 No. 7 overall pick is playing the best football of any quarterback in Buffalo Bills history. He set the all-time single-season record in passing yards (4,544), passing touchdowns (37), completions (396), and completion percentage (69.2 percent). He also became the first player with 4,500 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns in a single season in NFL history.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Colts plan to defend Allen and Co. I think the bigger question is, can the Colts keep pace with this high powered offense?
Key Matchup
Stefon Diggs vs. Xavier Rhodes
Diggs and Rhodes are pretty familiar with each other.
Both were former teammates from 2015-19 and battled day-in and day-out. On Aug. 8 2018, they were involved in an altercation during practice that led to both having to be separated.
Per Diggs and Rhodes it was, “all love,” and “just the competitor nature of one another,” but now Rhodes will be shadowing Diggs in a meaningful game, how much, “love,” will we see?
Diggs has played at an elite level this season and has helped ignite a red hot Bills offense that has ascended to the top of the AFC. He finished the regular regular season with 127 catches and 1,535 yards. The most receptions and receiving yards ever for a player in his first season with a new team. He also set the Bills’ record for receptions and receiving yards in a season.
For Rhodes, he has resurrected his career since joining the Colts. In 16 games this season, he has allowed just one touchdown and collected two interceptions. The former first-round pick of the Vikings, has made three Pro Bowls in his career and was named first-team All-Pro in 2017. He exhibits great height, strength, and physicality. His length makes it tough for teams to get balls by them.
With two high-caliber players going head-to-head, this matchup could go down as one of the best that we will see all season.
Bills looking for first playoff win under McDermott
Is the third time the charm?
Since taking over as head coach, Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane have helped transform the Bills into a contender.
In four seasons, McDermott has compiled a 38-26 record, led the Bills to their first playoff appearance in 17 seasons, helped capture the AFC East division title for the first time 25 years and has coached the Bills to three playoff appearances.
What’s next on his list? Winning his first playoff game. The Bills will have a chance to help coach McDermott accomplish that feat this week. He currently holds a 0-2 playoff record.
Word on the Street: Tweets of the Week
Watch and Listen:
When
Saturday, January 9 at 1:05 p.m.
Bills Stadium
Orchard Park, New York
TV
Buffalo, NY: WIVB (CBS/4)
Rochester, NY: WROC (CBS/8)
Syracuse, NY: WTVH (CBS/5)
Radio
Buffalo: WGR550 (550 AM)
Toronto: Fan 590 (590 AM)
Rochester: WCMF (96.5 FM) and WROC (950 AM)
Syracuse: WKRL (100.9 FM/106.5 FM)
For more information and live updates on the Buffalo Bills tune into The Crowd Assist Podcast and Trainwreck Sports on twitter.
Want to celebrate the Bills’ first ever sweep of the AFC East. Celebrate in style with the latest release from Trainwreck Sports.
The Sports Desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com
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