Bills vs. Colts Halftime Recap: Defense Shines, Damar Hamlin Returns

A strong defensive effort defined the opening half of the Buffalo Bills' 2023 preseason debut against the Indianapolis Colts.

Different Allen, same result.

Josh Allen has given way to Kyle Allen, joining fellow offensive star Stefon Diggs on the sidelines in the Buffalo Bills' 2023 preseason opener. Primarily sustained by a Dane Jackson interception that set up a James Cook scoring run, the Bills lead the Indianapolis Colts 10-7 in their lone summer gameday excursion at Highmark Stadium. Indianapolis scored on its final drive through a one-yard scoring punch for Jake Funk.

Bills (10)

PASSING: Kyle Allen (6-of-11, 76 yards)
RUSHING: James Cook (4 carries, 20 yards, 1 TD)
RECEIVING: Andy Isabella (1 rec., 30 yards)

Colts (7)

PASSING: Gardner Minshew (6-of-6, 73 yards)
RUSHING: Deon Jackson (6 carries, 35 yards)
RECEIVING: Josh Downs (2 rec., 29 yards)

Let James Cook ... Cook

The Bills have made no secret about their desire to add a running back named Cook. What if that rusher was already on the Buffalo roster? In his first official game with primary backfield duties, and perhaps the star offensive attraction with Allen and Diggs sitting, Cook made a strong case for himself in a crowded position battle packed with veterans. After Jackson's interception, Cook was responsible for all 13 yards of the ensuing scoring drive, capping things off with an eight-yard six-pointer. Taking advantage of collaboration with an offensive line mostly stocked with starters, Cook put up 20 yards on four carries.

Gator Chomp

With most of Buffalo's defensive starters working the weekend (with the exception of Taron Johnson and DaQuan Jones), the unit put up a solid effort with Indianapolis' non-Jonathan Taylor primary options in. That effort was best defined by pressuring incoming rookie thrower Anthony Richardson, whose rude unofficial welcome to the NFL was defined by an interception for Dane Jackson. The Richardson overthrow was created by pressure from Gregory Rousseau and Siran Neal, while both Boogie Basham and Tim Settle were each credited with a sack and an additional pressure. Buffalo has also used secondary attackers like Neal and Damar Hamlin to get into the backfield, helping a shutout effort that did not allow Richardson to score on three possessions. 

Hamlin Handlin'

For Hamlin, the ordinary continues to stand as the extraordinary: in his first unofficial action since his cardiac arrest episode, Hamlin showed little, if any, hesitation back on the field, picking up three tackles to lead the Bills for a majority of the first two periods. His most important stop came on a short fourth down, when he was credited for a stop on Colts rusher Evan Hull for no gain.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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