In Week 1, the New York Jets kicked off a new era with a heartbreaking yet encouraging loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite their defeat, it seemed like the organization had turned a corner for the better under Aaron Glenn.
All that good fortune evaporated the following week against their arch rivals.
On Sunday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills overwhelmed, outcoached, and out-played the Jets to the tune of a 30-10 blowout at MetLife Stadium, a final score that undersells how uncompetitive the game was from start to finish.
New York was unable to repeat its success from Week 1 when the offense hit the field. The Jets went three-and-out after Justin Fields overthrew a wide open Garrett Wilson on a third and long to force a punt.
On the ensuing drive, Josh Allen led the Bills down the field courtesy of a 35-yard run. Buffalo would later score on a two-yard touchdown run from James Cook. The Bills’ 7-0 opening drive lead was aided by a roughing the passer penalty called on Micheal Clemons after the Jets initially had forced a third-down stop. The penalty instead gave Buffalo new life as they cashed in the score.
On the very first play of the next drive, Fields fumbled the ball on a scramble and gave the ball right back to the Bills. New York’s defense held and forced a field goal attempt to make the deficit 10-0.
Buffalo would tack on another field goal at the start of the second quarter aided by another third-down penalty by the Jets defense.
Things went from bad to worse for New York in the second quarter. After another three-and-out from Fields, the Jets defense gave up a 44-yard touchdown run to Cook to put the Bills in a comfortable 20-0 advantage.
New York would get on the board with a 51-yard field goal from Nick Folk, but the 20-3 halftime lead only highlighted how much the Bills were blowing out the Jets.
“We’re shooting ourselves in the foot,” Glenn told CBS Sports at halftime.
Things didn’t get much better for the Jets in the second half. New York gave up an 11-play, 64-yard drive that lasted over five minutes to open the half for Buffalo that resulted in a Matt Prater 33-yard field goal. After a quick three-and-out from New York’s offense, capped by a fourth-and-1 punt decision, the Bills went on a near seven-minute drive capped off by former Jet Elijah Moore recording a four-yard touchdown run.
Tyrod Taylor came in for an injured Justin Fields – who was evaluated for a concussion – to finish out the game for New York. It did little to change the outcome, though.
The 30-10 win moved Buffalo to 2-0 on the season and dropped the Jets to 0-2. New York will be back on the field next week when it travels to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers.
Kickoff in Florida is set for 1:00 p.m.
Game Notes:
- The Jets had three starters – Kene Nwangwu, Jay Tufele, and Josh Reynolds – all miss today’s game due to injuries. In their place, Allen Lazard was given a spot on the active roster along with Leonard Taylor III and recently signed Isaiah Williams.
- Clemons roughing call was the ninth such penalty taken in his career. He has just 7.5 sacks during his four-year run with the team.
- Fields finished 3-of-11 passing for 27 yards in his second start with the Jets. He had multiple late reads and overthrows that stymied the Jets passing offense. He left the game to be evaluated for a concussion early in the fourth quarter.
- Moore’s touchdown in his return to MetLife Stadium was important to the veteran. It also capped off a third quarter in which the Jets ran just three offensive plays.