Bills’ Kelly Bounces Back at Expense of Colts, 20-14

Quarterback Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills didn’t need any extra motivation against the Indianapolis Colts.

Coming off the worst game of his career, Kelly directed two touchdown drives in the first half and surpassed 30,000 yards for his career, as the Bills beat the Colts, 20-14, on Sunday.

“I felt better because we came out and scored,” Kelly said of the Bills’ first possession. “It’s a confidence builder, not only for myself, but for everyone around me.”

Kelly, who completed a career-low four passes in a victory over Carolina last week, completed 19 of 35 passes for 201 yards and surpassed the milestone with a 15-yard completion to tight end Lonnie Johnson in the third quarter.

Kelly has 30,058 yards passing in 135 NFL games, making him the fourth-fastest player to throw for more than 30,000 yards in his career. Kelly also had 9,842 yards in two years in the USFL.

“It takes a little fun out of it when the game is close,” Kelly said. “I didn’t accept it much when I was out there, but when the game was over, I was happy.”

With the score tied 14-14, Steve Christie’s 35-yard field goal with 7:10 left in the third quarter gave the Bills the lead. Christie added a 38-yarder with 4:27 left after a penalty wiped out a previous miss.

Buffalo also scored on Thurman Thomas’ two-yard touchdown run and fullback Carwell Gardner’s fumble recovery in the end zone. Thomas was held to 25 yards in 17 carries.

Jim Harbaugh, who sparked comebacks in Indianapolis’ first two games, started for the Colts and completed 19 of 33 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown.

He completed 11 consecutive passes in the second half before Indianapolis’ final drive stalled with four consecutive incompletions.

The Bills had five sacks against Harbaugh, including three by linebacker Bryce Paup.