Despite history from Garrett Wilson, the New York failed to secure a vital victory from Orchard Park
For the New York Jets, it was deja vu all over again in Orchard Park. Unfortunately, it felt all too similar to the loss sustained in at the end of the 2015-16 campaign.
Behind two touchdowns for Josh Allen, one on the ground and one through the air to Dawson Knox, the Buffalo Bills avoided a sweep at the hands of the Jets, scratching out a 20-12 victory at Highmark Stadium. For the time being, the Jets (7-6) still hold the third and final AFC wild card spot but hold only a half-game advantage on both New England and the Los Angeles Chargers.
A game of defensive struggles played into the Jets’ favor in the first half, with Quinnen Williams invading the backfield with regularity, earning two sacks and two further quarterback knockdowns. Alas for New York, Williams sustained a calf injury and missed most of the second half.
UNSTOPPABLE.#ProBowlVote | @QuinnenWilliams#NYJvsBUF on CBS pic.twitter.com/QKIkKokFQ2
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 11, 2022
Buffalo was nearly shut down in the first half for the first time in over three years, but with 24 seconds to go, Knox’s score ironically came from 24 yards away as the Bills were able to secure a slim halftime lead at 7-0.
Full send, @dawson_knox!
📺: @NFLonCBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/EgmpicEe29
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 11, 2022
The Jets were able to fight back in the second half, overcoming a half where they punted the ball away five times to embark upon a 10-play, 72-yard drive capped off by Zonovan Knight‘s scoring tally from 13 away.
Zonovan Knight breaking all the tackles! The @nyjets tie it up in Buffalo. @knight_zonovan
📺: #NYJvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/7FXORqYuVi pic.twitter.com/kdcwvYCSK0— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2022
Between several big hits on Mike White and a relatively stable sense of offense, the Bills were able to take the lead back and maintain it. Allen’s rushing score from five yards away gave Buffalo (10-3) a permanent lead while Tyler Bass added two field goals for insurance. While briefly left the game on two occasions, forcing the team to turn to Joe Flacco.
.@JoshAllenQB for 6️⃣‼️
📺: @NFLonCBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/mtfrqPFkd9
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 11, 2022
Mike White got blasted https://t.co/jAUNXB7EIj
— alex (@highlightheaven) December 11, 2022
Down 20-7, the Jets back in the game by blocking Sam Martin’s punt late, with Jermaine Johnson blocking the boot into the back of the end zone. A Greg Zuerlein field goal made it a one-possession game late, but the Jets were unable to push things further, forced into a four-and-out in the final minute.
In spite of the loss, Garrett Wilson made some franchise history, breaking Keyshawn Johnson’s long-standing record for rookie receiving yardage on a six-reception day, going for 78 in the loss.
The road gets no easier for the Jets: while they return home to MetLife Stadium next Sunday, they’ll face the surging Detroit Lions, who have won five of their last six games (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
