Jets ground Bills in Toronto New York 19 Buffalo 13

by AP

The Bills succumbed to some of the same problems that have plagued them all year and it cost them a shot at their second straight division win. An inability to convert on third down and trouble stopping the run kept the Bills from building on a 10-6 first half lead. The Jets scored just nine points over the final three quarters, but it was enough for a 19-13 victory over Buffalo at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Buffalo’s offense showed some promise in the first half with an efficient five-play 65-yard drive capped by a 15-yard Marshawn Lynch touchdown run. Third down conversions, however, proved to be a monumental task throughout the course of the game as Buffalo went three-and-out five times in the game, and four-and-out on two other series. Their field goal drive in the fourth quarter to pull within six with 5:30 left was the longest going eight plays. The Bills went 1-11 on third down.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was staring down a boatload of pressure for most of the night. He finished the game 9-23 for 98 yards with an interception on the team’s final possession.

The Jets offense wasn’t dramatically more effective in reaching the end zone, but they kept kicker Jay Feely busy as he put four field goals through the uprights for all but seven of New York’s points on the night.

A key for New York was they gained yardage in big chunks throughout the course of the first half. New York ran 31 offensive plays through the first two quarters and more than third of them went for 10 yards or more (11). That big play ability was quieted however, when Mark Sanchez left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury. He did not return, and the Jets managed just three points in the final frame.

New York saved their most efficient drive of the first half for the end of the second quarter. On a 3rd-and-5 from the Jets 36, Mark Sanchez hit Jerricho Cotchery down the seam for a 45-yard pass play to the Bills 19. Two plays later Sanchez hit Braylon Edwards over the middle for a 13-yard touchdown reception for a 16-10 lead at the break.

Meanwhile the Jets’ defense was getting pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick early. With the score tied at three early in the second quarter the Jets brought a delayed blitz on 3rd-and-8. David Harris sacked Fitzpatrick forcing a fumble that was recovered by New York’s Bryan Thomas at the Bills 43-yard line. But the Jets were only able to get a field goal off the turnover. Buffalo’s defense forced a three-and-out as Jay Feely put a 49-yard field goal through for a 6-3 Jets edge.

Buffalo responded with its best drive of the first half thanks to some of the most inspired running by Marshawn Lynch all season. Lynch accounted for 59 of the 65 yards on the drive including the last 15, as the Bills back ran over Jim Leonhard to put Buffalo up 10-6 with 10 minutes left in the half.

The Jets closed that gap to 10-9 before taking the lead right before the half as a Jay Feely 31-yarder pulled the Jets to within one.

The Bills put points on the board on their opening drive. Ryan Fitzpatrick was back to his big play ways early converting a 3rd-and-2 from the Buffalo 25 with a 38-yard hookup with Lee Evans, who beat Lito Sheppard in a one-on-one situation. The Bills possession stalled at the Jets 31-yard line where Rian Lindell put a 49-yard attempt through for an early 3-0 lead.

After an exchange of possessions, the Jets got some good chunk yardage on an eight-play 56-yard drive. Four different players tallied four first downs in a row moving New York into the red zone, but George Wilson stopped Thomas Jones for no gain on first down at the Bills 11. That was followed by a Mark Sanchez overthrow. And then Kyle Williams sacked Sanchez for a nine-yard loss on 3rd-and-10 forcing the Jets to settle for a 33-yard field goal, which tied the score late in the first quarter (3-3).

With the loss Buffalo fell to 4-8 on the season. After a 10-day layoff they go back on the road to play the Chiefs in Kansas City for a 1 pm kickoff.