The Jets remained competitive deep into the second half on Sunday, but some costly injuries proved too much to overcome and enabled the Buffalo Bills to take control. Although New York battled back and got the ball back down eight with under a minute to go, they were unable to move the ball and the Bills hung on for the win.
This game itself initially took on a familiar pattern as both teams struggled to move the ball in problematic conditions with each team’s first five possessions ending in a punt and a 0-0 scoreline late into the first half. The Bills managed to put together a two-minute drive, aided by a fourth down penalty on CJ Mosley, and took the lead with 26 seconds left on a 24-yard touchdown throw from Josh Allen to Dawson Knox.
The Jets lost a similar game 10-3 to the New England Patriots a few weeks ago, with the decisive touchdown coming at the end of the fourth quarter instead. At least this time they had a chance to get back into the game and they did that by putting together a touchdown drive on their first possession of the second half for the first time all season. Unfortunately, the Bills immediately countered with another touchdown drive of their own to go back up 14-7 midway through the third quarter.
Mike White had the Jets on the move as Gang Green looked to tie the score, but both he and right tackle George Fant were injured on the same play, which proved to be a pivotal moment. Fant’s replacement Mike Remmers gave up a strip sack on the next play, with White’s replacement Joe Flacco losing the fumble and setting up the Bills for a two-possession lead late in the third.
Here are the key takeaways...
- Some losses are bigger than others and for the Jets, the loss of Quinnen Williams to a worrying injury could be more damaging than any other they’ve suffered this season. Williams – arguably the Jets’ most important player – eventually walked off under his own power after going down with a no-contact leg injury in the second quarter. The injury, diagnosed as a calf issue, kept Williams out for the rest of the game, which was a devastating blow for a Jets team that had also lost Corey Davis to a head injury in the first half.
- As expected, the Jets adopted a mostly conservative approach in the first half, but White did still make a few impressive throws. He had just 86 passing yards at halftime, but Allen himself had just 70. White ended up with 268 yards in a gutsy performance against a Bills front that was dominant even without Von Miller.
- Williams was once again influential in the first half prior to his injury with a run stuff and two more sacks, giving him a team-high 11 on the season. He also drew a holding penalty. The team did well to hang in there without him, but all the Bills points came after he went down.
- At halftime, head coach Robert Saleh said the Jets needed to avoid 3rd-and-long situations but they immediately faced a 3rd-and-12 and 3rd-and-10 on their first drive of the second half. However, White converted these with impressive completions to Garrett Wilson and Braxton Berrios as the Jets moved into the red zone for the first time all day. Zonovan Knight finished off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to bring the Jets level.
- White took several big hits and was knocked out of the game twice but showed toughness by returning each time. That’s the sort of thing he brings to the table that has the Jets rallying around him and continuing to fight even when trailing. With his lack of mobility, though, you have to wonder if he’s going to be able to stay in the lineup – and what the Jets’ next move will be if he can’t.
- The Jets once again got terrific contributions from their rookie class. As usual, the Jets’ two rookie of the year candidates led the way as cornerback Sauce Gardner played a big part in Stefon Diggs being held to an uncharacteristically quiet game and Wilson led the Jets in receiving again, breaking Keyshawn Johnson’s 26-year-old franchise rookie receiving yardage record in the process. However, pass rusher Jermaine Johnson also stepped up with a blocked punt for a safety and Knight had another big day with 71 rushing yards and the score.
- Michael Carter has been banged up this year and his production is down after a promising rookie year. Carter’s fumble with the Jets driving down 11 in the fourth quarter really put a dent in the Jets’ hopes of another comeback win.