The Buffalo Bills have sole possession of first place in the AFC East after defeating the New York Jets in Orchard Park on Sunday. Buffalo manufactured plenty of big plays on offense, and they smothered the Jets on defense, in a game that was closer on the scoreboard than it appeared on the field.
LeSean McCoy powered Buffalo’s offense with 111 rushing yards and 49 receiving yards. Tyrod Taylor had an early goalline interception bounce off the hands of Charles Clay, but responded with two one-yard touchdown passes later in the game. He finished 16-of-28 for 224 yards (8.0 yards per attempt). Clay was the most frequently-targeted Bill, catching four of nine targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Matthews, in his Bills debut, had a 47 yard reception to set up a Bills touchdown later in the drive.
The Bills shut down any semblance of a running game from the Jets, who had 15 attempts for 38 yards and a one yard QB sneak touchdown. They also clamped down on the passing game. Buffalo only allowed 187 yards on 39 pass attempts. They held the Jets without a passing touchdown, intercepted two passes, and limited the damage to short gains with great open field tackling.
The Bills limited the penalty count, with only six for 50 yards. Clock management was a non-issue and the team stayed mostly healthy in Sean McDermott’s first career win.
The game was close until the fourth quarter, thanks to Taylor’s interception and a missed field goal by Stephen Hauschka. It could’ve easily been 31-12, but a win’s a win.
MVP: Jordan Poyer
The Bills safety was in on a number of key plays - he broke up two passes, intercepting one, and had a sack of Josh McCown. The interception came in the fourth quarter, with the Jets down by nine points and in field goal range.
LVP: Marcell Dareus
Buffalo’s roster played well all-around against the Jets, so there aren’t many names to call out. But Dareus didn’t do much to escape Sean McDermott’s doghouse. The defensive tackle failed to register on the stat sheet, and he spent a significant number of snaps on the sideline.
Injuries
LeSean McCoy headed to the trainer’s tent after being tackled at the goalline in the fourth quarter. He returned to the field on the next drive.
E.J. Gaines had to be helped off the field by trainers after a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter. He was replaced by Shareece Wright, and didn’t return to the game.
Notes
- We’ve started to see how Buffalo’s special teams core is being composed. Andre Holmes, Matt Milano, and Joe Webb all have big roles.
- Today, Taylor became the franchise record-holder for rushing yards by a quarterback.
- Dion Dawkins split some reps with Cordy Glenn at left tackle, a planned maneuver to help Glenn ease back into game shape.
- Zay Jones had his first career reception, a 21-yarder off a slant route.
- Each of Buffalo’s free agent safety signings, Poyer and Micah Hyde, came away with an interception today.
- Ronald Darby, now playing for the Eagles after the Matthews trade, suffered what looked to be a severe ankle injury and was carted off the field in his first game for Philadelphia. Here’s wishing Darby a speedy and full recovery.