Despite their best efforts in giving the game away, Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets out gunned Rex Ryan’s Buffalo Bills.
- New York Jets 37 (1-1)
- Buffalo Bills 31 (0-2)
- NFL, Week 2 Final, Box Score
- New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY
Todd Bowles‘s squad severely outplayed Rex Ryan’s, yet the game was close throughout. Instead of a route, the Bills picked up three monstrous plays for touchdowns to keep the score close in the end, 37-31.
FINAL: @nyjets get the W in Buffalo! #TNF #NYJvsBUFhttps://t.co/cwnT5bPB2K pic.twitter.com/kT0yVZAHAJ
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2016
Ryan Fitzpatrick was dynamite. He threw for 370 yards and this score to Eric Decker to provide the Jets a comfortable 20-7 lead in the second quarter:
The #Jets offense is legit. Fitz finds Decker on the slant. 20-7. #NYJ #NYJvsBUF pic.twitter.com/IK6FMaiB2C
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) September 16, 2016
Decker finished with six receptions for 126 yards and that score.
Fitz continually took what Rex gave him. This was the deep ball:
Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the @nyjets to their first win.
Highlights from his 374-yard performance. ? #NYJvsBUF https://t.co/mazgECpdsl
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2016
Entering the second half, with Buffalo down seven, New York allowed the Bills back in the game. First, Tyrod Taylor broke containment and abused third safety Rontez Miles by hitting former Jet Greg Salas for a big one:
Tyrod buys all sorts of time.
Finds Salas DEEEEEP.Front flip. TD. 6 points.#TNF #NYJvsBUF https://t.co/cwnT5bPB2K https://t.co/cQKgywCGg0
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2016
Before the Jets even knew what him them, rookie Jalin Marshall fumbled the ball on the ensuing possession. The Bills, after being completely dominated in most of the major statistical categories including time of possession, were suddenly on top by the score of 24-20:
Fumble.
Scoop.
And SCOOOORE!The @buffalobills take the LEAD! #TNF #NYJvsBUF https://t.co/cwnT5bPB2K https://t.co/CpKhNI5Kuc
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2016
From that moment on, Gang Green collected themselves. They relied on an offense that took what Rex’s defense gave them. This meant Fitzpatrick going down the field time and time again. It also meant Matt Forte playing his usual role as a workhorse.
Forte went for 100 yards and three scores on a ridiculous 30 carries. The reason for the high attempt number was the Jets dominance in the time of possession category (39:12-20:48).
He tallied the Jets first score of the game, one in the third and then his last to put a seal on it:
Matt Forte gives the Jets a 13-7 lead. #NYJ #NYJvsBUF pic.twitter.com/kvpLtKerKr
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) September 16, 2016
.@NYJets RB @MattForte22 finds the end zone… AGAIN!
??: https://t.co/cwnT5bPB2K
?: @CBSSports #TNF #NYJvsBUF https://t.co/4Bss2CZvhn— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2016
Make it THREE TDs for @MattForte22!
??: https://t.co/cwnT5bPB2K
?: @CBSSports #TNF #NYJvsBUF https://t.co/tZ0P3FZhWJ— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2016
Where the Jets really turned the game around came early in the fourth quarter when the big boys up front, Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams and Steve McLendon, bottled up LeSean McCoy on this 4th-and-short attempt:
Big Mo, Sheldon, McLendon, Big Cat, Hitman, and the Manimal? Are you crazy Rex? #NYJ #NYJvsBUF pic.twitter.com/Pkn2QtShRJ
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) September 16, 2016
Up six points with just over seven minutes remaining, Forte and the offensive line took over to take a two-possession lead. Not even a late Buffalo score and an onside attempt could save them at that point.
The Jets will now enjoy 10 days off before heading to Kansas City to take on a very tough Chiefs squad in Week 3.
Game Notes:
Quincy Enunwa was a monster from the opening snap. Along with Decker and Brandon Marshall (who both went for 100 yards), he also flirted with 100 (six catches, 92 yards). This Jets offense is equipped with some serious weaponry.
Marcus Williams came up with huge interception of Tyrod Taylor with the Jets nursing a slim three-point lead early in the fourth:
Marcus Williams is enjoying himself a nice night. #NYJ #NYJvsBUF pic.twitter.com/V7SG1LUuPW
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) September 16, 2016
Darrelle Revis, yet again, was beaten by a burner. After the Jets kicked a field goal to open the game, Marquise Goodwin went for 84 on Revis Island:
Tyrod goes DEEEEEEEP.@flashg88dwin beats Revis for an 84 yard TD!
WOW. #TNF #NYJvsBUF https://t.co/cwnT5bPB2K https://t.co/RmkMWM443U
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2016
B-Marsh suffered a scare early in the game after he was dragged down by his facemask. He did, however, return a possession later.
James Carpenter was also injured on the very same play Marshall was hurting. He did not return to the game. Wesley Johnson, who replaced him at right guard, played very well.
The game featured a phenomenal amount of pass attempts over 20 yards. Both Bowles and Ryan love to blitz, but Buffalo allowed Fitzpatrick to absolutely shread their secondary down the field. The Jets secondary played their second straight poor game.
Rookie Darron Lee enjoyed an active night thanks to the new 4-3 scheme that we saw. All four of the big monsters up front started with Big Mo and Sheldon playing the bookends. Erin Henderson played the Mike with David Harris on one outside spot with Mike Catapano on the other:
This IS what the #NYJ are now…a 4-3 defense thanks to personnel. Mauldin will take McLednon out in Sub. #NYJvsBUF pic.twitter.com/6YX4DS2orL
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) September 16, 2016