ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills weren't afforded the chance to test their new-look defense against Andrew Luck in Saturday's preseason-opening 19-18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but coach Rex Ryan should still be smiling.
On three offensive drives, Ryan's re-tooled first-team defense held the Scott Tolzien-led Colts offense to a net 17 yards and one first down, smothering Indianapolis' offensive line in the process. For a group playing without injured rookies Reggie Ragland and Shaq Lawson, as well as resting veterans Stephon Gilmore and Kyle Williams, its dominant performance was an encouraging sign after a disappointing 2015 campaign.