Buffalo Bills Fall Just Short in Their Preseason Opener

Saturday night's preseason opener at Ralph Wilson Stadium really wasn't much of a football game.  The Buffalo Bills chose not even to dress a long list of players including offensive linemen Richie Incognito, Cordy Glenn and Seantrel Henderson, receiver Sammy Watkins, safety Aaron Williams, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, linebacker Manny Lawson and defensive lineman Kyle Williams.  And on a stormy night half of the crowd didn't even bother to show up, but for those who stayed to the end they saw an exciting finish.

Rookie quarterback Cardale Jones drove the Bills 83 yards in the game's final 1:08 completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Boykin as time ran out, but his two point conversion pass fell short and the Bills came up short against the Indianapolis Colts 19-18.

Fresh off signing a 6-year, $92-million contract extension, quarterbackTyrod Taylor opened the game and played just one series.  E-J Manuel and Jones split the remaining playing time.  Manuel hit tight end Chris Gragg on a 19-yard touchdown pass to give the Bills an early 9-0 lead.  Gragg was a factor on the Bills opening two-point safety when he blocked a Colts punt into the back of the end zone.

Manuel finished 10 of 18 for 91 yards.  Jones led all quarterbacks completing 11 of 21 for 162 yards.

The Bills showed they have plenty of work to do to get ready for the regular season opener.  Too many missed assignments, missed tackles, penalties and dropped passes cost them at key moments.  And the Colts hit on some big plays against the Bills defense including 42-yard and 57-yard pass plays.

The Bills also lost another linebacker with IK Enemkpali suffering what was described as a major knee injury.  He had to be carted off the field and is likely done for the season.

The Bills have Sunday off and are back on the St. John Fisher training camp field on Monday.