Bills finally get a win in Toronto
The Buffalo Bills ended a three-game losing skid at the Rogers Centre in Toronto and got their first win in 2010 on Thursday night with a 34-21 pre-season victory over the Indianapolis Colts. With running backs Fred Jackson out four-to-six weeks with a broken hand and Marshawn Lynch expected to miss three-to-four weeks of action with a sprained ankle, rookie C.J. Spiller had the spotlight on him and it was show time.
After missing 11 training camp practices due to a contract dispute, the former Clemson star tailback broke into an impressive run in the first quarter and scampered 31-yards for his first NFL touchdown.
"I knew there were going to be a lot of people that wanted to see what I could do with both of our guys down," said Spiller, who finished with 10 carries for 54 yards and a two-yard catch. "It felt good to get out there and make a couple of plays."
Spiller’s rushing touchdown opened the scoring as well as the eyes of the Bills coaching staff. "I think you can see tonight why we drafted C.J.," head coach Chan Gailey said of the player selected ninth overall. "Obviously, running the ball is what he does best. And he made an unbelievable run on that touchdown."
Everything was going right for the Bills and they were playing with a new-found confidence. Quarterback Trent Edwards redeemed himself after a poor performance in week one and connected with his favourite target, Lee Evans, for a 70-yard touchdown pass. After the game, Edwards, who finished the night going five for eight for 93 yards, got a nod of approval from Gailey.
Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning posted similar numbers going eight for 15 for 91 yards, but the NFL’s MVP last season tossed an interception that was returned 78-yards by Terrence McGee.
The Colts fall to 0-2 in the pre-season. "We've still got some work to do. That's kind of what pre-season is for," said Manning. "You want everything to go perfect while you're in there. That's not always the case, but I think you've got to have those kinds of expectations."
Despite putting on an impressive outing against the Colts, the Bills did receive some bad news. Tight end Derek Schouman hurt his knee early in the second quarter and there is no word on when he is expected to return. Schouman is the latest name on the Bills’ injury list, joining running backs Jackson and Lynch. The Bills are off Friday, and will resume training camp on Saturday.
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