The Skinny:
Braylon Edwards caught a 13 yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez just before halftime to give the Jets a lead that they wouldn't relinquish as New York knocked off the Bills 19-13 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Bills had taken a 10-6 lead in the 2nd quarter on a Marshawn Lynch 15 yard touchdown run that was setup by his 35 yard run a play earlier. Not much happened in the second half as both teams traded field goals. The Bills had one last chance in the final minutes but a Ryan Fitzpatrick deep pass to Terrell Owens was picked off.
The Turning Point:
It came at the 2:00 minute warning in the first half. The Jets had a 3rd and 5 from their own 36 when Sanchez hit Jerricho Cotchery with a 45 yard bomb to keep the drive alive.
The Big Drive:
It was the big drive of the game. They went 86 yards in just 6 plays in only 2:58 to grab the lead before halftime. The drive started with a 17 yard run by Shonn Greene. The TD pass to Edwards was a nice effort play that was called down at the one but overruled on review.
Stat of the Game:
The Bills offense was 1 for 11 on third downs. Honorable Mention: They gave up 8.1 yards per carry to the Jets in the first half and the Jets finished with 249 yards on the ground and a 5.8 yard average overall.
What You Don't See On The Stat Sheet:
We are used to the Bills being poor against the run but the pass defense was the worst of the season in the first half. There were more receivers wide open than there has been all year. It seemed like the safeties weren't helping out on the deep balls that included a drop by Braylon Edwards and the bomb to Jerricho Cotchery that setup the go ahead touchdown just before halftime.
Quick Slants:
- The Bills matched their point total from last year's game in Toronto on their first possession with Lindell's 49 yard field goal.
- The Jets killed themselves early by blowing two easy touchdowns in the first quarter. Sanchez missed a wide open receiver in the end zone by badly overthrowing him. On the next series, Edwards dropped a wide open bomb on a good pass by Sanchez.
- A field position swing in the third quarter also hurt the Bills even though no points were scored in the quarter. The Bills started at their own 48 on their first drive but their second drive started at the 6. The Jets had third quarter drive starts at their 13 and 9 before starting their third drive at their 47 as they totally flipped the field on the Bills while holding a six point lead. The Jets hit a field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to take a two score lead that would hold up.
- When Sanchez left with a knee injury the Bills knew the Jets would run but still gave up some long runs. They continue to get caught out of their gaps. It may be time to change a defensive philosophy that allows big gains everytime someone is not in the exact right place.
My Take:
Pick whatever adjective you like to describe the way the Bills played: Dull, boring, lackluster, lethargic. You can also use those adjectives to describe the entire contest. It was a mirror image of the atmosphere inside the dome. Yes, there were definitely more Bills fans this year than last year but the result and the look of the game was eerily similar. Did anybody really think the Bills were going to march 73 yards in the two minute drill to win the game? It was disappointing after many fans had high hopes that the team was gaining an identity after Sunday's win. Well against the Jets it was the same old Bills. Would it have been different in the Ralph? We will never know but they were pretty much manhandled by the Jets who played a much more physical game and just beat the Bills worse than the final score indicated.
What's Ahead:
The Bills have a nice little break before heading to Kansas City to take on the young and improving Chiefs. Even though they are one of the lower rung teams, they have more upside than the Bills. Arrowhead Stadium is a tough place to play no matter how much the Chiefs are struggling.
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