Buffalo Bills Beat Up On Indianapolis Colts' Reserves

NFL News - January 3rd, 2010 - Written by John

Rarely ever would a five win team get an even line in NFL Sportsbooks heading into a game against a 14-1 team at the end of the 2009 NFL Season, but the Buffalo Bills were benefited with the fact that they would not be facing an Indianapolis Colts team with a full roster.

And, boy, how they benefited.

In blistering winter conditions with snow covering the field, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three touchdowns, and running back Fred Jackson gained 212 yards as the Bills handed the Colts their second loss of the year, 30-7, on Sunday.

Peyton Manning spent most of the game on a warm bench as back-up Curtis Painter floundered once again, completing only four of 17 passes for 39 yards and an interception.

Manning, along with the rest of the starters were out of the game by the start of the second quarter, although Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark were allowed to stay in long enough for each of them to get 100 catches on the year.

The decision to bench the starters came with far more heat last week as the Colts were striving for a perfect season. But with the potentially undefeated record now a mere memory, and an injury Sunday to New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker, that decision seems far more sound as the season comes to a close.

The Bills were able to keep it close early in the first half with a running game that clearly outpaced the limited Indianapolis backfield. The Colts only had 25 total rushing yards, while the Bills had 248.

Jackson, broke the game open with an 11-yard score to cap a six-play drive on Buffalo's second possession.

But the Colts answered back at the end of the first quarter with a one-yard scamper by Mike Hart to tie it. That would be as close as Indianapolis would get, however.

Fitzpatrick responded with consecutive touchdown scores to Lee Evans and Terrell Owens to blow the doors off. Rian Lindell then followed up with three field goals beginning at the tail end of the third quarter.

Owens had 65 yards in what is likely to be his final game with the Bills. A week ago, he Twittered that all good things come to an end and that he couldn't wait to see what his future holds for him.

Those yards vaulted him to third place all-time on the NFL list with 14,951 for his career