Change could soon come to the woebegone New York Jets, who were haplessly dominated by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at home.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY—What New York Jets and Buffalo Bills fans wanted at the beginning of the season was a showdown between rookie sensations Sam Darnold and Josh Allen.
When the game was finally played, however, the only sensations on the MetLife Stadium field was numerous Buffalo touchdowns … courtesy of Matt Barkley.
The journeyman veteran threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, assisted by 113 yards and two scores from LeSean McCoy, and the Buffalo Bills rolled to a 41-10 victory on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
Signs that it was not to be the Jets’ were apparent from the opening play, as Barkley launched a 47-yard pass to Robert Foster, burning the returning Trumaine Johnson on the first down from scrimmage.
The 47-yard toss became the longest throw of Barkley’s NFL career. On the ensuing play, McCoy scored from 28 yards out to put the Bills on the board before most fans were in their seats.
VIDEO EVIDENCE: The #Bills had a 2-play, 75-yard drive which put them up 7-0 on the #Jets.
As expected, Matt Barkley starts the game with a 47-yard pass to Robert Foster.
Next play, LeSean McCoy gets his first TD of the year on a 28-yarder: pic.twitter.com/4MMrBlLPjA
— Nick Wojton (@Nick_Wojton) November 11, 2018
Shady getting to that shade ? @CutonDime25 pic.twitter.com/mjRrWRDSUI
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 11, 2018
The Bills continued to build their lead, scoring the first 31 points of the game while the Jets’ offense, captained by Josh McCown, sputtered in mostly three-and-outs. After enduring a punt of their own, the Bills broke the Jets’ will early with a 14-play, 73-yard drive that featured a fake punt to keep things going.
Eight plays after Logan Thomas found Foster for 15 yards to keep moving, the Bills earned an unusual touchdown when Zay Jones fumbled one yard short of the goal line, but it was quickly pounced upon by Jason Croom for the second score of the afternoon.
The #bills convert on a fake punt #jets pic.twitter.com/Ex1Tqn5OHS
— Matt O'Leary (@MattOLearyNY) November 11, 2018
Good, bad, ugly… they all count the same.
Matt Barkley out here dealing.. hits Zay Jones who fumbles to Jason Croom. 14-0 #Bills up on #Jets pic.twitter.com/8cRUwQxmeo
— Nick Wojton (@Nick_Wojton) November 11, 2018
After a deep Steven Hauschka field goal, scoring from 54 yards out, the Bills an even more unusual blow, as Barkley found offensive lineman Dion Dawkins for a seven-yard score on a tackle eligible play.
BIG MAN TD!
Dion Dawkins is 6'5" + 320lbs… And he just caught a @BuffaloBills TD!
?: CBS #GoBills pic.twitter.com/qc6rRZOaa9
— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2018
The Bills capped their scoring off with another McCoy touchdown, set up by Matt Milano’s interception on a pressured McCown. Milano found his father, sitting behind the Bills’ bench, and got him the ball after his defensive heroics.
https://twitter.com/BarstoolBC/status/1061699671494680577
The Jets finally got on the scoreboard at the end of the half, as their lone consistent silver lining, kicker Jason Myers, booted a 55-yard triple as time expired.
They would reach the end zone after some surprising defensive stops, as Isaiah Crowell earned a five-yard scoring run.
¡Despertaron! ?
Isaiah Crowell anotó el primer TD del día para los @nyjets ??#GoBills 31 – 10 #Jets #BUFvsNYJ #NFLMX pic.twitter.com/4cAhHETco4— NFL México (@nflmx) November 11, 2018
Any hopes of a far-fetched Jets comeback, however, were quickly snuffed out by Barkley and Foster. Forced into a 20-yard third down try, Barkley found a leaping Foster, recently called up from the Buffalo practice squad for a 43-yard gain.
On the ensuing red zone possession, Barkley found Zay Jones for an eight-yard score to go up 38-10.
After getting cut earlier in the year and spending some time on the practice squad, Robert Foster was promoted to the Bills’ active roster yesterday.
Today, has three catches for 105 yards. pic.twitter.com/12UPEMOh9d
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 11, 2018
Plenty of time for Matt Barkley to step up here and find Zay Jones in the middle of the end zone. Those two have a strong chemistry brewing. #Bills up big on #Jets, 38-10. pic.twitter.com/8d06Mg37Ag
— Nick Wojton (@Nick_Wojton) November 11, 2018
McCown would throw one more interception before all was said and done, with Micah Hyde being the lucky recipient. Hauschka would add one more triple to create the final margin.
Following a Week 11 bye, things don’t get much easier for the floundering Jets, who will next take on the New England Patriots on Nov. 25 (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS).
