It was a dazzling performance that nobody but Karlos Williams could have predicted.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor set a franchise record with 5 touchdowns as the Colts overwhelmed the Buffalo Bills 54-24 in a preseason game Friday night.
Taylor’s 90-yard TD run “was the result of brute strength, speed and vision” on a 3rd-and-1. Understandably, #Bills will be curious to learn more about what’s in store for undrafted rookie coach Anthony Lynn said. #INDvsBUF pic.twitter.com/2THX2tMLTe — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 28, 2018
Taylor finished the game with 141 rushing yards and 60 receiving yards, and along with two catches, is now tied for second on the team with five total touchdowns this preseason.
QB Andrew Luck should also look for this weekend’s off day as a time to rest up and brush off some of the rust after he made his regular season debut in the preseason opener against the Falcons. Despite a touchdown pass and a score on the ground, Luck finished with an underwhelming 18 of 27 passing for 207 yards, but should see a sharp increase in production against the Bills on Sunday.
The Bills starters only saw the field for two series, while the Colts saw their starters play all four quarters, including the first team offense. Taylor began the night with his first touchdown, an impressive 62-yard gain, on a 3rd-and-1.
Luck threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Eric Ebron on Indianapolis’ next possession, and also found receiver Ryan Grant for a 61-yard score. Taylor scored his second TD later in the first quarter, where he carried the ball 10 yards on 3rd-and-goal and the Colts would score a rushing touchdown each time before halftime.
The Bills, who were eliminated by the Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card game last season, never truly threatened the Colts despite holding a 17-point lead entering the third quarter. Buffalo’s best player on the night, quarterback AJ McCarron, had a hand in two touchdowns to Williams, and running back LeSean McCoy rushed for 120 yards. McCoy, who was involved in a scuffle at a local bar with a veteran on the team a few weeks ago, picked up right where he left off with a 76-yard touchdown run and three catches for 66 yards in the loss.
The Colts concluded the scoring with 1:09 remaining on the clock when Taylor broke the franchise record by finishing his scoring drive with a 90-yard touchdown run.
The game marked the end of an unfortunate preseason tour of Eastern and Central states for the Buffalo Bills. Along with the end of their preseason, three other former Bills players — cornerback Stephon Gilmore, defensive tackle Cedric Thornton and center Eric Wood — died in accidents in August 2017.