Location:Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Records:Buffalo (1-0), Indianapolis (0-1)
**
In a Nutshell: **The Bills jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead as Buffalo's defense stymied the high-octane Colts offense holding them scoreless for almost three full quarters as the team made Rex Ryan the first head coach in Bills history to win his first game as head coach to open the season (27-14).
The Bills got on the board first with a big play when Tyrod Taylor beat the Colts defense over the top with a 51-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin for a 7-0 lead right as the first quarter expired. Buffalo would then score 17 points on their next three possessions, which bridged the second and third quarters for a 24-0 lead before Indianapolis got on the scoreboard.
Takeaways by Ronald Darby (interception) on defense and Randell Johnson (fumble recovery) on special teams led to 10 points for Buffalo.
The Colts could only close their 24-point deficit to 13 as the Bills secondary didn't allow any big plays in the passing game with 11 pass breakups by defensive backs in the game including a team-leading four by Stephon Gilmore.
For Indianapolis it was their fifth-straight loss to open a season.
**
How it went down: **--The Bills got on the board first when Percy Harvin beat his defender Darius Butler on a go route for a 51-yard touchdown reception from Tyrod Taylor.
--Buffalo boosted their lead to 10 when Dan Carpenter capped a seven-play drive with a 41-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. (10-0).
--Karlos Williams added to Buffalo's lead when he rumbled to the end zone on a 26-yard touchdown run with 20 seconds left in the first half for a 17-0 edge.
--In the second half the Bills offense picked up where they left off orchestrating an 11-play 80-yard drive that Boobie Dixon finished with a one-yard touchdown plunge (24-0) with 9:34 left in the third quarter.
--Indianapolis finally answered with a lengthy 18-play drive 65-yard drive that Andrew Luck finished off with a two-yard pass to Donte Moncrief. He also hit Coby Fleener for a two-point conversion to make it a two-score game (24-8).
--The Bills tacked on a field goal after Randell Johnson recovered a muffed punt by Colts' return man Phillip Dorsett at the Indianapolis 26-yard line. Carpenter was good from 45 yards out (27-8).
--The Colts added another touchdown when Luck found a wide open Dwayne Allen for a six-yard touchdown pass, but their ensuing two-point conversion failed (27-14). **
Subplots:Tyrod Taylor in his first NFL start was 14-19 passing for 195 yards and a touchdown. He had a 123.8 passer rating. He also rushed for 41 yards on nine carries.
Dan Carpenter with his extra point after the team's first touchdown recorded the 800th point of his career. Carpenter hit both of his field goal attempts (41, 45 yards) and all of his extra points.
Corey Graham left the game early in the first quarter with an apparent head injury and did not return.
Ronald Darby left the game in the first half with muscle cramps, but returned to his starting cornerback spot in the second half only to exit again. He was replaced in the lineup by Mario Butler.
Aaron Williams had an interception off a tipped pass to seal the game with 2:03 remaining.
Inactives:QB EJ Manuel, RB Bryce Brown, LB Tony Steward, OL Gabe Ikard, WR Marquise Goodwin, TE Chris Gragg, DT Andre Fluellen.
Up next:The Bills play host to New England in their first AFC East matchup of the season at Ralph Wilson Stadium next Sunday for a 1 pm kickoff.
