Ryan Fitzpatrick, who quarterbacked the Bills from 2009 through 2012, finally solved a Rex Ryan-coached defense by throwing for 374 yards and one touchdown as the Jets got some revenge on the Bills for the 22-17 loss that knocked them out of the playoffs on January 3. An extra point brought the score to 20-17 for the Jets. Darrelle Revis gave up a big play for a touchdown for the second straight game, when Marquise Goodwin got in front of him for an 84-yard score in the first quarter. “It was a must-win”.
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Baltimore’s defense might be just that good this year as the unit is now ranked number one in the National Football League in yards allowed, number one in pass defense and number two in points allowed. NY did do well at containing Lesean McCoy, who only rushed for 59 yards on 15 carries and caught four balls for 31 yards.
None of the Jets’ key receivers are burners, but they’re all very big – and very good.
When it was over, Fitzpatrick owned some glittering statistics: 24-of-34 passing for 374 yards and a touchdown with a 116.5 passer rating. He also didn’t throw an interception after throwing three in last season’s loss at Buffalo.
Jets receiver Brandon Marshall proved to be a quick healer.
Rex Ryan better start updating his resume! Ryan said he wants to see the offensive playmakers more involved and expects to see quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s abilities showcased.
“Our big-time players made some big-time plays”, Bowles said.
The Jets showed resilience, too, in snapping a five-game skid against their AFC East rival and beating Rex Ryan, their former coach, for the first time since he was sacked in NY following the 2014 season. It was one of the best in the league in 2015 in both volume and yards per carry, but the Bills have been slow to, well, get it off the ground this season. “I was occupied doing something with the defense, and when I turned around, I looked at it”.
Word spreads that #Bills fired OC Greg Roman in the Patriots locker room.
If the Jets’ offense was a mismatch for Ryan’s defense, Bills fans should be alarmed about what the next two weeks hold. However, 155 of those yards came on two plays. A Rex Ryan loss when the defense plays poorly, rather than the offense, always appears to hit him harder.
“To be honest with you, I think our defense played so poorly that I couldn’t tell you about that”, Ryan said.
Marshall recovered the Bills’ onside kick attempt and the Forte ran the clock down to 10 seconds before the Bills got the ball back one final time.
With time running out, the Bills came down the field and took their first snap in the red zone with two minutes left.
Bowles admitted Friday that he should have gone for a two-point conversion after Matt Forte put the Jets up 12 with 4:02 left in regulation on his third rushing touchdown of the night.
The Bills have been downright putrid on one side of the ball in each of their first two losses.
Meanwhile, RB Matt Forte chipped in with 100 rushing yards – and three TDs.
Though Buffalo scored 31 points, seven came as a result of safety Nickell Robey-Coleman returning Jalin Marshall’s fumble 36 yards for a touchdown.
Dan Carpenter’s 38-yard field goal cut the Jets’ lead to 20-10 just before halftime.
The Jets scored on each of their first four possessions to build a 20-7 lead.
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Wide receiver Brandon Marshall’s knee is sore, but not seriously injured, Bowles said. LT Cordy Glenn (ankle) sat for the Bills. It’s not Roman’s fault their top option, Sammy Watkins, is playing through a sore foot.
