New York Jets start hot, eventually fall to Buffalo Bills, 18-10, at MetLife (Highlights)

Sam Darnold and the New York Jets started hot but eventually fell to the Buffalo Bills, 18-10, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

• New York Jets 10 (0-7)
• Buffalo Bills 18 (5-2)
• NFL, Week 7, Final, Box Score
• MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—For the entirety of one half, it looked pretty damn good. The New York Jets came out with a form of offensive authority that hadn’t previously been witnessed this season.

The rushing game was working and Sam Darnold was rolling through his progressions in, at the very least, an acceptable manner. In fact, Adam Gase’s team got out to the unheard-of 10-0 second-quarter.

As is usually the case, the other shoe dropped. The Buffalo Bills kicked six unanswered field goals to snag the 18-10 victory at MetLife Stadium.

The first touchdown of the day came courtesy of a La’Mical Perine five-yard touchdown run. The rookie running back capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive that put the Jets up 10-0 in the second quarter.

First career trip to the end zone for @LP_deucedeuce 🙌

📺 #BUFvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/58ie9pO0lP

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 25, 2020

New York’s drive prior to that was also a decent one. Unfortunately, it stalled after a fourth-and-1 situation wasn’t converted at the Bills’ 18-yard line.

The team’s opening series also encouraged fans. Darnold came out hot and the offense line (with Mekhi Becton back in action) paved the way for plenty of running room.

Darnold missed a wide-open Denzel Mims in the flat for what probably would have been his first career touchdown. Instead, the Jets were forced to settle for a 29-yard Sergio Castillo field goal.

A 10-point lead doesn’t last long in the NFL if no more points are put up. From there, the Bills started to move the ball a bit, and although no touchdowns were registered, kicker Tyler Bass connected on four field goals. Bass finished 6 of 8 on the day with a long of 53.

Josh Allen couldn’t find much room early. Gregg Williams’s defense played a bend-but-don’t-break style that allowed drives to continue yet never reach the end zone. Eventually, Allen started to accumulate yards and finished 30 of 43 for 307 yards.

Darnold, after a decent start, completely floundered the rest of the way. The pass protection wasn’t perfect, but the third-year quarterback wasn’t reading the field and rarely threw it away when necessary. Darnold finished with just 120 yards on 10 of 23 passing with two interceptions.

The Jets’ positives came in the form of Joe Douglas’s youth. Mims tallied 42 yards on four receptions (all in the first half). Perine, who scored the lone touchdown of the game, combined for 55 yards. Bryce Huff also played well, one time completely sniffing out an end-around on the edge.

Frank Gore led the way for the Jets on the ground with 60 yards on 11 attempts. Braxton Berrios chipped in with 35 yards on four grabs.

For Buffalo, Allen’s 61 yards on the ground paced the team. Cole Beasley put up a huge game with 11 receptions and 112 yards, both of which were game highs.

A scary moment came late in the fourth quarter with the Jets needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie the game. Darnold looked for Breshad Perriman on a fade in-between the flat corner and two-deep safety. Micah Hyde laid a vicious hit on Perriman. He was immediately shaken up and immediately required medical attention.

The now-0-7 New York Jets will next visit Kansas City to take on the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

3rd and 20? No problem.

📺 #BUFvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/xUkBkO55pP

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 25, 2020

LET'S GO, @TarellBasham 💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/Hx96ZyyfJv

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 25, 2020

GET 'EM, ROOK! @Bryce55H

📺 #BUFvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/lB6eovpwaW

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 25, 2020

First career interception!

We see you, @djack11_. 👀

📺 #BUFvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/XoSHpuxOym

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 25, 2020