Buffalo Bills Defeat New York Jets

Liam Koch, Sports Editor

The Buffalo Bills defeated the New York Jets at Metlife stadium 30 – 10. Defense defined the game for the Bills as the Jets only managed one trip to the Red Zone. That trip came in the fourth quarter during garbage time after both team’s starting quarterbacks left the game. 

Both team’s starting Quarterbacks suffered injuries during the game. In the first quarter Josh Allen had to leave the game for a handful of downs after Jowon Briggs tackled him for no gain. He returned to the game shortly after, though Bills’ backup Mitchel Trubisky had to enter the game for him. Trubisky threw an immaculate pass to Bills’ new receiver Joshua Palmer who joined the team during the offseason. After Allen came back, he did not play up to his typical standard. He only managed only 14 completions on 25 attempts for 148 yards and no touchdowns. 

Justin Fields suffered his injury during the fourth quarter after a series in which Joey Bosa tackled him multiple times including a sack that resulted in Fields leaving the field to enter the locker room likely for concussion protocol. Fields was coming off an incredible game against the Steelers, however he was unable to replicate those efforts. His numbers were so low that Tyrod Taylor managed to double Fields’ passing yards and score a touchdown. However, Fields looked good while running. He managed to get 49 yards on only 5 carries. 

The story of this game was defense. The Bills’ defensive line managed four sacks and a forced fumble off Justin Fields which turned into a field goal for 41 year old Matt Prater who scored three field goals during the game with a long of 52. The Jet’s defense played well despite the score, Josh Allen consistently fought pressure as the Jet’s defensive line got into their face often. But the line wasn’t enough to prevent the Bills from winning. However, unlike the Jets’ line, the Bills’ line held Breece Hall, who is one of the most athletic running backs in the game, to only 29 yards on ten carries. Last week he had 107 on 19 carries. 

While the Jets did a great job pressuring the quarterback, Bills’ running back James Cook obliterated their run defense. He ended the day 21 total carries, 132 yards and 2 touchdowns which included a 40 yard touchdown run. It’s his 5^th career game with 2 or more rushing touchdowns.

The Jets struggled greatly with their discipline. They routinely gave up key penalties on plays that could have resulted in fourth downs or turnovers. Early in the game, Josh Allen was roughed on third down which resulted in a touchdown, and later one there was a key pass interference which gave Buffalo a first down. 

This game was important for the Bills. Last week their defense gave up 40 points in their victory against the Baltimore Ravens, but this week they held a team that scored 32 points against one of the most expensive defenses in the NFL. So, while their passing offense struggled during the game, the Bills’ defense showed that they were not to be underrated. And, they held the Jets to 10 points while missing Ed Oliver and Tarron Johnson, two of their best defensive players who were sidelined with injuries before the game.