It's a good sign when you don't play your best game but still beat a team in the playoff hunt. The Colts (7-4, 2-1 AFC South) weren't spectacular Sunday, but they were good enough to defeat the visiting Buffalo Bills, 20-13, in Indianapolis.

A T.Y. Hilton 75-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter provided an early spark, and the Bills were never able to get back to even. The Indianapolis offense wasn't its normal prolific self, but the defense led the way, keeping the Bills out of the end zone for most of the afternon.

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck again led the offense, going 20 of 37 for 240 yards and a touchdown. WR Reggie Wayne was the main beneficiary, catching eight passes for 102 yards, and Hilton added a touchdown catch of his own, becoming the first Colt to have a return and receiving touchdown in the same game.

Overall, it was a solid win for Indianapolis, which has now lost just once in its last six games. The Colts -- whom no one was planning to be paying much attention to at this point in the season -- will have to suffer a major meltdown in order to miss the playoffs. The Bills (4-7, 1-3 AFC East) will need an equally magnificent comeback in order to sneak in.

When the game turned: There was no real turning point or moment that swung momentum in the Colts' favor. Hilton's punt return provided a spark, but Indianapolis was never able to get much separation. By the same token, though, the Bills never got too close, save for a late drive to tie the game. That one, however, stalled around midfield.

Highlight moments: Hilton's punt return, obviously, will take the cake. The rookie got to show off his wheels on the 75-yarder. ... Safety Tom Zbikowski had one, but only for a moment. Zbikowski intercepted Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick late in the fourth quarter, but Buffalo wide receiver Steve Johnson caught him from behind, forcing a fumble that Johnson recovered.

What they said about T.Y. Hilton:

  • Interim coach Bruce Arians: "He flashed as a slot receiver but once you get ahold of a guy that is that quick and that fast and he’s got a football aptitude and this guy has seriousness about him, he wants to be good. He reminds me a lot of Antonio Brown. They’re from the same neighborhood. They’re friends, they have the same desire to be good and they take it very serious to be good. When you have those and God-given talent, you should be successful.”

     
  • Hilton on the return: "It was about time, right on time, and made a big difference in the game. Just stretch-and-cut. I was able to stretch-and-cut and the guys were able to block. We needed it. Coach told me just make plays. Be smart back there and just have fun. That’s what it’s all about. Have fun and get your teammates involved."

     
  • Wide receiver Reggie Wayne: "“I’m happy for him. I know he’s capable of doing it. That surprises nobody on this team. That’s what he’s paid to do. I’m excited for every one of these guys on this team that makes a big play. Everybody on this team, their futures are so bright. I’m just glad to be part of it.”

Top-shelf performances:

  • Colts WR Reggie Wayne -- eight catches, 102 yards

     
  • Colts LB Jerrell Freeman -- nine tackles, one sack

     
  • Colts WR/KR T.Y. Hilton -- 111 totals yards, two TDs

     
  • Bills RB C.J. Spiller -- 14 carries, 107 yards

     
  • Bills WR Steve Johnson -- six catches, 106 yards

Numbers you should know: With nine tackles, Jerrell Freeman brought his total this season to 94. Not bad for a guy that played Canadian football last year. ... Wayne has 59 consecutive games with at least three catches, the longest streak in NFL history.

Injury update: Both teams appear to have gotten away mostly clean. There was a scary moment in the second quarter when Hilton was hit hard and stayed down for a while. He was evaluated and eventually returned.

Going forward: Colts -- Indianapolis hits the road next week to face the Lions before returning home to play the Titans. Two very winnable games. Bills -- Buffalo also has a couple of winnable games on the horizon, with Jacksonville and St. Louis at home. The Bills have little margin for error if they want to make a playoff push.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSColts.

For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBills and @MarkLud12.