Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2001 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-09-23, the Indianapolis Colts took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 42–26 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Johnson (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with +3.87 total EPA.

On the individual side, P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.54 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-20.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (12:59) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 22-N.Clements at IND 48. 22-N.Clements for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 P. Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +16.54 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Pathon · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +13.92 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.55 EPA/play
3. 3 P. Price · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.01 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
4. 4 E. James · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +4.14 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Johnson · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +3.87 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
6. 6 P. Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +3.03 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
7. 7 L. Centers · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.70 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
8. 8 P. Price · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +2.24 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.24 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Buffalo Bills — N. Clements (Q1 57:59)
• Indianapolis Colts — E. James (Q1 50:14)
• Indianapolis Colts — J. Pathon (P. Manning pass) (Q1 46:46)
• Buffalo Bills — T. Henry (Q2 42:08)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Harrison (P. Manning pass) (Q2 41:26)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Harrison (P. Manning pass) (Q2 39:18)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Harrison (P. Manning pass) (Q2 31:03)
• Indianapolis Colts — P. Manning (Q3 21:02)
• Buffalo Bills — P. Price (R. Johnson pass) (Q4 1:34)

Field goals

• Buffalo Bills — J. Arians (Q2 34:19)
• Buffalo Bills — J. Arians (Q3 25:40)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the BUF 59 (Q1 57:59); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 57:50) — 9-J.Arians extra point is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q1 50:14) — (5:14) 32-E.James up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 50:12) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the BUF 60 (Q1 46:46) — (1:46) 18-P.Manning pass to 86-J.Pathon for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 46:35) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 21–10. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the IND 4 (Q2 42:08) — (12:08) 20-T.Henry left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 42:00) — 9-J.Arians extra point is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the BUF 39 (Q2 41:26) — (11:26) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 41:19) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the BUF 39 (Q2 39:18) — (9:18) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 39:11) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the IND 30 (Q2 34:19) — (4:19) 9-J.Arians 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the BUF 7 (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 31:00) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the IND 31 (Q3 25:40) — (10:40) 9-J.Arians 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q3 21:02) — (6:02) 18-P.Manning right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the BUF 7 (Q3 20:57) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 6–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the IND 40 (Q4 1:34) — (1:34) (Shotgun) 11-R.Johnson pass to 81-P.Price for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 57:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 22-N.Clements at IND 48. 22-N.Clements for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -20.6% · EPA -8.28]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 46:46) — (1:46) 18-P.Manning pass to 86-J.Pathon for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +4.86]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 41:26) — (11:26) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.5% · EPA +3.90]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 52:36) — (7:36) 18-P.Manning pass to 85-K.Dilger to BUF 10 for 44 yards (58-B.Spoon, 26-A.Winfield). [WPA +9.5% · EPA +2.98]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 39:18) — (9:18) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +4.36]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 57:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 22-N.Clements at IND 48. 22-N.Clements for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -20.6% · EPA -8.28]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 1:34) — (1:34) (Shotgun) 11-R.Johnson pass to 81-P.Price for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +6.66]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 7:34) — (7:34) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 26-A.Winfield at BUF 0. Touchback. [WPA -0.0% · EPA -5.09]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 46:46) — (1:46) 18-P.Manning pass to 86-J.Pathon for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +4.86]

Quarterback report card

R.Johnson led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Johnson (Buffalo Bills) · 45 dropbacks · 53.3% completion · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.87 total EPA
• P.Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 34 dropbacks · 67.6% completion · +0.49 EPA/play · +16.54 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Indianapolis Colts held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, +5.74 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Indianapolis Colts: 11 drives, +19.03 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Indianapolis Colts leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 57:59 · BUF 59 · Score 6-0
   (12:59) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 22-N.Clements at IND 48. 22-N.Clements for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 57:50 · IND 2 · Score 7-0
   9-J.Arians extra point is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
3. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 50:14 · BUF 1 · Score 7-6
   (5:14) 32-E.James up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 50:12 · BUF 2 · Score 7-7
   13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
5. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 46:46 · BUF 60 · Score 7-13
   (1:46) 18-P.Manning pass to 86-J.Pathon for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 46:35 · BUF 2 · Score 7-14
   13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
7. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 42:08 · IND 4 · Score 13-14
   (12:08) 20-T.Henry left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 42:00 · IND 2 · Score 14-14
   9-J.Arians extra point is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
9. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 41:26 · BUF 39 · Score 14-20
   (11:26) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 41:19 · BUF 2 · Score 14-21
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
11. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 39:18 · BUF 39 · Score 14-27
    (9:18) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 39:11 · BUF 2 · Score 14-28
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
13. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 34:19 · IND 30 · Score 17-28
    (4:19) 9-J.Arians 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
14. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 31:03 · BUF 7 · Score 17-34
    (1:03) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 31:00 · BUF 2 · Score 17-35
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
16. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 25:40 · IND 31 · Score 20-35
    (10:40) 9-J.Arians 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
17. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 21:02 · BUF 1 · Score 20-41
    (6:02) 18-P.Manning right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 20:57 · BUF 7 · Score 20-42
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
19. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 1:34 · IND 40 · Score 26-42
    (1:34) (Shotgun) 11-R.Johnson pass to 81-P.Price for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.