Week 17: Bills Lose Finale 30-26
Jets turn the tables on the Bills.
by Steve Saslow
at
Week 17
Bills  26
Jets  30
Gameday Grades

This game was the complete opposite of last week's win over the Bengals. The Bills gave up an interception and a kickoff return for touchdowns in going down to defeat to the Jets 30-26 to finish the season at 5-11.

The Bills controlled the game at the line of scrimmage as they out gained the Jets 331 yards to 207. They had an almost eight minute edge in time of possession and even got a 100 yard rushing game from Willis McGahee. The loss comes down to four interceptions by Kelly Holcomb and the unthinkable special teams meltdown late in the game.

All week long we were hearing about the vaunted Bills special teams that was out to lead the league in all four major categories. Obviously, the Bills kick return unit was too busy reading their press clippings after the Bills took a 26-23 lead with 6:13 to play. That is when Justin Miller took the kickoff 95 yards down the right sideline in a return eerily similar to Terrence McGee's return last week.

The third Ty Law interception of the game followed a series where the Bills turned it over on downs and the Jets held on for the victory that may have cost them a few spots in the draft order.

Besides the last two drives, the Bills were able to move the ball at will against the Jets. Most drives ended in field goals as the Bills struggled once again in the red zone. Rian Lindell kicked four field goals including a 52 yarder. Eric Moulds and Roscoe Parrish caught touchdown passes for the two Buffalo touchdowns.

It was a back and forth affair when the Bills weren't scoring points they were turning the ball over, Holcomb wasn't to blame for all his picks, three came off of tipped balls. The one that Mike Brown returned for a touchdown, was a low pass to Daimon Shelton who actually flung the ball forward into the linebacker's hands. He had nothing but green turf ahead of him to the end zone. That made it 17-6 and you knew it wasn't the Bills day.

To their credit they didn't give in, they battled back and took the lead twice in the 2nd half but for once it wasn't the offense or the defense that choked, it was the special teams. Just another bad note on a terrible season that has mercifully come to an end. After the game, Ralph Wilson said there will be changes. Get ready for a turbulent off season of moves and changes and Bills Daily will be there to cover all the moves.

Here are our exclusive gameballs and goats from the Bills game against the Jets:



Gameballs
  • Rian Lindell - Went 4 for 4 on field goals hitting from 21,24,52, and 36 yards.
  • Willis McGahee - If only he can play the Jets every week. He had 113 yards on 22 carries.
  • Eric Moulds - If he is done as a Bill, he left with a bang. 8 more catches for 96 yards.
  • Sam Adams - Had two big sacks early. Nice way to end his Bills career.
    •

    Goats
  • Kelly Holcomb - His worst game as a Bill with four interceptions.
  • Daimon Shelton - That tipped pass that was picked was pathetic.
  • Lee Evans - Had a great 39 yard run to start the game but did nothing afterwards, he did drop a pass that would have given the Bills a first down.
  • Nate Clements - The so called lockdown corner was beaten for a 43 yard pass play to Coles to setup a Jets touchdown. Coles had a field day against him.
  • Kick Return Unit - A bad time to give up a big return.
    •

    Player Of The Week
  • Rian Lindell - Put a nice cap on a great season.


    • Print Friendly Version
    Positional Breakdown and Grades
    NFL.com Gamebook
    Jets Game Preview
    Gameday Homepage