Game recap: Jets shock Bills to close the gap in the AFC East

Flashiness doesn’t necessarily translate into success. The New York Jets have exemplified this brand of play throughout their previous wins in 2022. They have grinded out comebacks against two AFC North opponents and did the same yesterday at home against the well-respected Buffalo Bills.

A drive that began on their own 4-yard line, would decide Sunday’s outcome. A mix of interior and perimeter run plays guided New York to a go-ahead field goal for a 20-17 win over the Super Bowl favorites.

Without any timeouts, Buffalo needed a 2-minute drill to tie or take the lead with the game clock at 1:43. Bryce Huff rounded the edge to strip Josh Allen, resulting in a 19-yard loss. A cherry on top came in the form of Sauce Gardner hand-fighting with Gabriel Davis on fourth down to impact an incompletion down the field. Gardner celebrated with make-believe snow angels on what was rather a warmer day at MetLife Stadium.

Early issues arrived for New York after the first play from scrimmage. Stefon Diggs caught Gardner on a stutter-and-go move for a 44-yard play on the first play from scrimmage. New York negated the drive when John Franklin Meyers altered the passing lane for Allen, causing an interception by Jordan Whitehead.

But later in the first quarter, the defense let up three third-down conversions and Allen snuck in a touchdown from the 1-yard line. Greg Zuerlein knocked a 53-yard field goal as the quarter winded down for the Jets’ first points. The Bills lead 7-3 to start the second quarter.

Allen showed his running ability on a 36-yard keeper on third-and-2. The play was schemed well with two lead pullers preceded by a flair motion from running back Devin Singletary. With three receivers to the right and the play designed to go left, Singletary’s motion took C.J. Mosely completely out of the play.

Wilson silences the doubters

With New York down 14-3, Zach Wilson put forth a sustained drive that was completed with an untouched Michael Carter on a dive run from a shotgun snap on first-and-goal from the 6-yard line with 32 seconds to go before halftime. Bills kicker Tyler Bass had a shot at a 55-yarder as time expired to extend a 14-10 score to 17-10 but the ball skewed wide right.

The third quarter is where New York largely kept Buffalo’s offense from gaining traction. A fake punt converted on fourth-and-1 with 12:10 on the clock prolonged the drive. Wilson took off for 13 yards on one third down then threw a swing pass to Braxton Berrios on third-and-2. Both plays were for naught because future hall-of-famer Von Miller punched out the football from Wilson’s grasp.

A.J. Epenesa retrieved it at the 29-yard line. New York maintained possession from the beginning of the quarter until the clock went to 6:21. Buffalo wasn’t crisp to begin their first drive. Quinnen Williams was all power in his penetration on Bills center Mitch Morse, sacking Allen for a loss of seven.

Allen threw right into Gardner’s reach to turn the ball back to the Jets. Gabriel Davis was the closest receiver, but Allen was completely off base with him. Davis broke to the outside and the ball was fired inside. Once again, Gardner proved to be well worth the top-ten draft pick despite not playing at a Power Five school.

Newly acquired James Robinson pushed the Jets to a lead by way of a screen pass set up at the 7-yard line. At 17-14, this was their first lead all day. Buffalo ended the third quarter on their way to an efficient drive.

Allen and the offense found themselves at third-and-9 but were in plus territory. Nyheim Hines had a step on Lamarcus Joyner up the left sideline but Allen’s pass was too high. Forced to settle for a field goal, the Bills tied it 17-17 at that point in the game.

Wilson had a disastrous showing last week but bounced back in terms of ball security. All-in-all, he went 18-25 for 154 yards and a touchdown.

Offensive weapons show up

Garrett Wilson had eight receptions for 92 yards but no other receiver tallied more than three receptions. Corey Davis did not play for a second straight game stemming from a knee injury.

Michael Carter averaged 6.3 yards on his 12 carries but James Robinson managed just 3.7 yards on 13 carries. Wilson scrambled at pivotal moments. Head coach Robert Saleh liked what he saw from the second-year starter. “Playing quarterback in this league comes with all the blame, it comes with all the glory. He kept his composure during the week. He kept his composure during the game. Nothing is too big for him.”

Tight end Tyler Conklin rejected any narrative of this team folding like in previous seasons. “Everybody kind of thinks it’s going to be the Same Old Jets, right? Last week was ‘Oh the Same Old Jets.’ Guess what? We’re not the Same Old Jets.”

Buffalo maintains the narrowest of an advantage in the AFC East at 6-3 while New York has a 6-2 record heading into a Bye Week. Minnesota travels to Ralph Wilson Stadium for a 1 p.m. meeting of division leaders. The Patriots host the Jets on November 20.

A 13-game losing streak the Jets have when playing the Patriots, is tied for the most all-time of any two NFL teams.