Bills vs. Colts: Joe Webb, LeSean McCoy save Buffalo in OT win (11 observations)

Photos: The Associated Press

By Matthew Fairburn | mfairburn@nyup.com

Orchard Park, N.Y. — LeSean McCoy ran through the snow-covered turf at New Era Field for a 21-yard touchdown that saved the Buffalo Bills’ from an ugly tie to the Indianapolis Colts and may have saved their season in the process.

The fans who fought the lake effect snow to sit through three-plus hours of sloppy football between the Bills and Colts almost watched the home team let it slip away.

They watched the Bills’ defense collapse at the end of regulation and allow a 77-yard drive to the Colts that helped tie the game. They watched Adam Vinatieri make another miraculous kick, this one a 43-yard extra point that the wind blew just over the upright. And they watched Sean McDermott call for a punt with the Bills facing 4th-and-2 at the Colts’ 42-yard line in overtime.

Yet those who were still left in the snow-covered bleachers at the end of the game got to watch the Bills’ pull off what looked impossible. Joe Webb completed a 34-yard pass to Deonte Thompson, one of just two passes Webb completed. A few plays later, McCoy scampered in for a 21-yard touchdown that gave him 147 yards for the game.

Just like that, the Bills escaped with a 13-7 win to improve to 7-6 and keep their slim playoff hopes alive for another week.

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Oh, snow

You have to go back quite a few years to find a snow game like this in Buffalo. Right before kick off, lake effect snow settled over Orchard Park and started pounding the area with snow at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour. The scoreboard wasn’t visible from the opposite end of the field, and the grounds crew had a tough time keeping the yard lines clear during the game. Both teams struggled to move the ball on offense throughout the afternoon. By the time the second half rolled around, there was significant accumulation on the field even though the visibility had improved slightly. This was a snow game for the ages.

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LeSean McCoy carries the Bills

LeSean McCoy inched closer to 10,000 yards rushing for his career with a vintage performance in the snow. While most players struggled to keep their feet in the snow, McCoy rushed for well over 100 yards. He finished with 31 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown. He now has over 4,000 yards from scrimmage over the last three seasons in Buffalo.

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McDermott punt decision brutal

Sean McDermott made one of the most egregious in-game decisions of his coaching career Sunday. In overtime, he had the Bills punt on 4th-and-2 from the Colts’ 42-yard line. In essence, McDermott was playing for the tie in a situation where the Bills desperately needed a win to improve their playoff hopes.

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Defense disappears

Somehow, the Bills’ defense managed to allow a 19-play, 77-yard touchdown drive to Jacoby Brissett’s Colts with the game on the line. After shutting the Colts down for most of the afternoon, the defense went missing as Indy nickel and dimed its way down the field. The touchdown came on a play-action pass from Brissett to tight end Jack Doyle. The Colts were called for a penalty on the two-point conversion attempt, which would have given them an 8-7 lead. So instead, the Colts tried the extra point …

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Adam Vinatieri with the big kick

Adam Vinatieri is no stranger to snow games, and the veteran kicker made what had to have been one of the toughest extra points of his career. During the timeout, Vinatieri and his Colts teammates cleared a small spot on the field for him to attempt a 43-yard extra point. His kick was low and curved but snuck over the upright somehow. Vinatieri then got a chance at a 43-yard game-winning field goal and hooked it left.

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Peterman fights the snow, leaves with injury

Nathan Peterman’s second start wasn’t exactly a great opportunity to rebound from his five-interception effort in Los Angeles. With a few inches of snow covering the field and the wind whipping, it was nearly impossible to throw the ball. Still, when the wind died down Peterman made a few plays. He finished completing five of his 10 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, which was a sharp throw to the corner of the end zone for Kelvin Benjamin. In the second half, however, Peterman left with a concussion after diving for a first down. Not how he wanted his day to end.

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Kelvin Benjamin shines before injury

In his first game back from a torn meniscus, Kelvin Benjamin fought the weather to carry the Bills passing game. He had three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown, while the Bills passed for only 57 total yards. However, in the fourth quarter, Benjamin went down with a right leg injury. He wasn’t the only one to fall victim to the conditions. He later returned to the game but was injured again on an incomplete pass.

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The kicking game

What’s more entertaining than watching kickers fight the elements? Adam Vinatieri, who has some experience with snow kicks, shanked a 33-yard try in spectacular fashion. Stephen Hauschka didn’t attempt a field goal but he did drill an extra point. Meanwhile, both punters performed admirably all things considered. With 11 punts in the game, the two punters averaged just under 40 yards per punt.

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Read more: Photos from the game

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Lots of Joe Webb

With Peterman down and Tyrod Taylor out with a knee injury, Joe Webb entered the game at quarterback. He attempted just two passes in the game and only one came after Peterman got hurt. Webb was tasked with simply handing the ball off for most of the second half while the Bills tried to protect the lead. In regulation, Webb ended up 0-for-4 with an interception that nearly cost the Bills the game. However, in overtime, Webb completed two passes, one of which was a bomb to Thompson that saved the Bills from a tie.

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Matt Milano takes on bigger role

Matt Milano continues to get more run for the Bills’ defense. He played a ton of snaps in this game alongside Preston Brown when the Bills had two linebackers on the field. He led the team with 11 tackles, too. Safe to say Milano’s found himself a role in this defense.

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The fans still showed up

Between the dangerous driving conditions and the lowly opponent, it’s tough to blame anyone who decided to stay home for this game. However, Bills fans showed up in force. The upper deck wasn’t at full capacity, but the lower bowl was packed with fans who had climb through snow to find their seats. Fans in the club level were making snowmen as the snow piled up in the second half. This may have been one of the worst weather games the Bills have had in years, and plenty of people can tell the story of what it was like to be in the stadium.

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Up next

The Bills have their final home game of the season, hosting the Miami Dolphins at 1 p.m. Sunday.

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More Bills coverage on NYup.com

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