The Skinny:
It was nothing more than a glorified scrimmage as the Jets played mostly backups after the first series. The Bills played their starters most of the way but were playing without Ryan Fitzpatrick and with only three healthy wide receivers. The results showed how bad the Bills are as the Jets backups blew out the Bills starters 38-7 in a boring, sloppy matchup at the New Meadowlands. Brian Brohm started at quarterback and had a pass picked off and returned for a touchdown. He threw three interceptions and lost a fumble as he was under siege all game. The Bills turned it over six times in all. Mark Brunell threw two touchdown passes in the win and Kellen Clemens and John Conner added touchdown runs for the Jets. Jairus Byrd returned an interception 37 yards for the Buffalo touchdown.
The Turning Point:
Brohm was hit by Calvin Pace as he threw, Stevie Johnson didn't fight for the floater, and Marquice Cole picked it off and went 35 yards for a touchdown to give the Jets a 10-0 lead.
The Big Drive:
The Jets put the game away with their drive in the two minute offense just before halftime. They went 59 yards in 8 plays in just 1:45 to take a 17-0 halftime lead that put the nail in the coffin before the intermission. Mark Brunell hit Santonio Holmes for a 17 yard touchdown pass with :15 to go in the 2nd quarter. Brunell converted one third down play on the drive, a 7 yard pass to Jerricho Crotchery. He also caught a 17 yard pass on the drive.
Stat of the Game:
5 out of the Bills first 8 possessions started inside their own 20 yard line.
What You Don't See On The Stat Sheet:
The shuffling in and out of the lineup that the Jets did. They had most of their starters out by the end of the first quarter and just about all of them in the second half. They still dominated the game.
Quick Slants:
- Johnson had an eventful first series. He caught two passes for 49 yards but dropped one and fumbled the ball away on his 2nd catch.
- Brad Smith ran twice for 60 yards out of the wildcat on the Jets opening possession, his 40 yard run and 20 yard run converted third downs on the way to a field goal. The Jets ran the ball 11 times for 89 yards and did not throw a pass on the drive.
- The Jets ran for 150 yards in the first half with their top two running backs inactive. This truly is a historically bad run defense.
- The Byrd is the Word! He almost shockingly went the season without any interceptions. He finally made one in the last game and made it count as he took it back for the pick six.
My Take:
The Bills didn't try very hard to win this game and it was obvious by their play on the field. Normally you would be disgusted by a run for the bus effort against a divisional foe's reserves. The fact is that the loss helps them a lot more than a meaningless win would do. They will now have a higher draft pick by at least a few slots than they would have if they won the game. They need all the help they could get through the draft since the last two weeks burst the bubble that this team was further along in the rebuilding process.
What's Ahead:
The long offseason that will continue the rebuilding of a once proud organization.
