Colts' Defense vs Bills' Offense

The Colts defense responded well to the bye week critics, holding a potent Jacksonville offense scoreless in the second half. Mike Peterson's interception (the first of his career), was arguably the turning point of the game. Though the game remained close until halftime, the score off the turnover allowed the Colts to stay in the lead and never look back. Likewise, the defensive line showed consistent agressiveness.  Jags QB Mark Brunell was a marked man all evening, going down to the Colts' onslaught five times (once for a safety).

Can they do it again? The Bills offensive line has struggled to establish any semblance of a running game. In fact QB Rob Johnson leads the team in rushing after 3 games! Johnson's mobility will be a chief concern of the defense. They cannot allow him to break out of containment and run for big yardage when chased out of the pocket. Thus far opposing teams' QBs have been forced to pull the ball down and make plays because the coverage has been solid. Ideally the defensive line will be able to apply pressure to Johnson before he is able to complete his progression of possible receivers, creating the potential for turnovers or more incompletions. If the Colts can stifle the Bills' running game and force Johnson to make plays all game long, our agressive style of defense could reap huge rewards.

One good game does not a season make, though. We'll learn just how far this defense has come this week in a hostile environment against a tough and well coached divisional rival.

Advantage: Toss up

Next Opponent
Buffalo Bills
10/01/2000

when: 8:00
where: Orchard Park
TV: CBS

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