Bills hold off Colts in wild-card round for first playoff win in 25 years

Jan. 9 (UPI) — The Buffalo Bills held off Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 on Saturday at Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., to secure their first playoff victory since 1995.

Playing in front of a limited number of fans for the first time this season, the Bills defense batted down Rivers’ Hail Mary attempt as time expired to clinch a spot in the AFC divisional round.

Buffalo’s last postseason win came on Dec. 30, 1995, when the Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 37-22 in the wild-card round. The Bills snapped a 0-6 playoff skid by winning Saturday.

“It’s been a long time since Bills mafia has been able to celebrate like this,” Bills star quarterback Josh Allen said after the win. “But again, it’s one game. I am just happy for a chance to be able to play next week.”

The Colts grabbed a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter and almost extended it when Rivers slightly overthrew rookie receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in the end zone on fourth down.

After the fourth-down stop, the Bills scored 17 unanswered points to take a 24-10 lead early in the final frame. Rivers tossed two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to trim the Colts’ deficit to 27-24.

Trailing by three points with 2:30 left in the game, the Colts marched down the field and converted a fourth-and-10 after Rivers completed a pass to receiver Zach Pascal, who appeared to fumble after the catch. Officials ruled that Pascal was down by contact, and the call stood after a booth review.

The controversial sequence gave the Colts one final chance to force overtime or win the game. The Bills then knocked down Rivers’ Hail Mary attempt to clinch the win.

The 24-year-old Allen completed 26 of 35 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns in the victory, adding 54 yards and a score on the ground. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he became the youngest player in NFL history to record 300 passing yards and complete 70% of his passes in a playoff game.

Bills receiver Stefon Diggs had six receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Dawson Knox had two catches for five yards and a receiving score.

Rivers was 27 of 46 passing for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie tailback Jonathan Taylor recorded 78 rushing yards and one score on 21 carries.

The Bills will now host a divisional playoff game next weekend, with their opponent to be determined.

“One’s not good enough for us,” Allen said. “We’ve got to find a way to put our best foot forward this week and get another one.”

Washington’s Alex Smith walks off of the field wearing a NFC East Division Championship hat. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Washington’s Logan Thomas celebrates after he catches a 13-yard touchdown. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Washington’s Jeremy Reaves (L) makes an interception. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

New England Patriots’ Sony Michel (L) celebrates his 31-yard touchdown reception with James White against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday. The Patriots defeated the Jets 28-14. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

The Patriots’ Cam Newton dodges a tackle by the Jets’ Bryce Hall on a keeper. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

The Jets’ Bryce Hager (L) chases the Patriots’ Jakobi Meyers on a reception. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

The Patriots’ Devin Asiasi (L) is congratulated by N’Keal Harry after Asiasi scored on a 26-yard touchdown reception. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

The Jets’ Sam Darnold throws a pass. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Chicago Bears’ Darnell Mooney (top) makes a driving catch against Green Bay Packers Darnell Savage at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday. The Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 35-16. Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo

The Bears’ DeAndre Houston-Carson (C) recovers the fumble by the Packers. Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo

The Bears’ Josh Woods (L) tackles the Packers’ Allen Lazard. Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo

The Bears’ Cole Kmet (L) catches a pass against the Packers. Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo

The Packers’ wide receiver Lazard (L) and Dominique Dafney (C) celebrate Dafney’s second-quarter touchdown. Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo

The Packers’ Kevin King (L) tackles the Bears’ Darnell Mooney. Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo

Kansas City Chiefs’ Byron Pringle (C) drives down the field against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 38-21. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

The Chiefs’ Demarcus Robinson (L) attempts to avoid the Chargers’ Chris Harris. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

The Chiefs’ Demarcus Robinson leaps at the first down marker against the Chargers. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

The Chargers’ Kalen Ballage (C) leaps over the Chiefs’ Juan Thornhill. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

The Chiefs’ Chad Henne (R) fakes a handoff to Darwin Thompson. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

A Chiefs fan impersonates the Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid during the game. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

The Chiefs’ Demarcus Robinson (L) attempts to avoid the Chargers’ Tevaughn Campbell. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

The Chiefs’ Darwin Thompson (R) walks in a touchdown. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

Los Angeles Rams’ Jalen Ramsey (L) knocks the ball away from Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins (C) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 18-7. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

The Rams’ Cam Akers (R) is stripped of the ball by the Cardinals’ Isaiah Simmons. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

Injured Rams quarterback Jared Goff watches the game. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

The Cardinals’ Jonathan Ward scores a touchdown against the Rams. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo