Week 3 Game Recap: New York Jets 28, Buffalo Bills 20

What you need to know

New York Jets

Before this game was one minute old, the Jets found themselves trailing 7-0. Buffalo’s second offensive play resulted in a 51 yard catch and run by Roscoe Parrish. J.P. Losman hit Parrish on a quick pass between two Jets’ defenders. Parrish turned and streaked right down the middle of the field to the end zone. The Bills went on to dominate the entire first quarter and the outlook appeared bleak for New York. The Jets ran a total of ten plays in the opening stanza and gained only 12 yards.

New York remained on the ropes for most of the first half as Buffalo was able to move the ball. The Jets were saved by an unsuccessful Bills’ fake field goal attempt, a Kerry Rhodes sack of J.P. Losman that forced a fumble, and a fourth down stand after Buffalo had driven to the New York 28 yard line early in the second quarter.

After a zero first down opening quarter, the Jets’ offense came to life and Kevan Barlow’s three yard run capped off a seven play 74 yard touchdown drive that tied the game. The key play was a 47 yard catch and run by rookie running back Leon Washington. Washington caught a short Chad Pennington pass and used his speed to burst through the Buffalo defense. Two sharp cutbacks left Bills’ defenders grasping at air. A minor facemask penalty tacked onto the play gave the Jets’ first and goal on the three yard line. Barlow scored on the next play.

The Bills responded with a field goal, but the Jets finished the first half with a ten play 67 yard drive that climaxed with a Chris Baker one yard touchdown reception. Baker was wide open on the play, after a pretty play action fake fooled the Buffalo defense.

Despite being outgained by 83 yards, the Jets took a 14-10 lead into halftime and never trailed again. They increased their lead early in the third quarter after Kerry Rhodes sacked Losman for the second time and forced another fumble. Victor Hobson returned it 32 yards for a Jet touchdown.

The Jets won despite five three and outs and being outgained by more than 200 yards. The Jets continued to rely upon Chad Pennington while struggling to run the ball. The team amassed only 74 yards on 24 carries, but actually increased their yards per carry for the season to a paltry 2.6.

Buffalo Bills

The normally conservative Bills came out throwing with the gusting wind at their backs. Two plays later, Buffalo had a 7-0 lead after Roscoe Parrish took a short J.P. Losman pass and used his great speed to burst through the middle of the Jets’ defense.

Buffalo’s defense held the Jets to 12 yards and no first downs in the initial quarter of the game. However, the Jets would even the score early in the second quarter. The Bills answered with a 50 yard field goal drive to retake the lead. Willis McGahee gained 46 of those 50 yards on the ground. McGahee posed quite a problem for the Jets’ defense in the first half. 114 of his career high 150 rushing yards came before halftime. The Bills, however, were unable to capitalize fully on McGahee’s success.

Quarterback J.P. Losman finished with 328 passing yards and one touchdown. He also added a rushing touchdown, but was responsible for three crippling turnovers. Twice Kerry Rhodes sacked Losman and forced fumbles. The first fumble killed a Bills’ drive that had reached the New York 19 yard line. The second was returned 32 yards for a touchdown by Victor Hobson. Losman also threw an interception late in the third quarter. Although Lee Evans was double covered on the play, Losman decided to throw the ball anyway. The result was a wounded duck that looked more like a bad punt than a pass.

Buffalo climbed back into the game late. After a 12 yard Losman touchdown scramble, they trailed by only eight points with 1:15 on the clock. Buffalo successfully recovered the ensuing onside kick, but failed to convert a first down. For the Bills, it was a game of missed opportunities. Five drives inside the Jets’ 30 yard line produced only 13 points. Although they outgained the Jets 475 to 256, Buffalo was not able to overcome their mistakes.

What you ought to know

QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 19 - 29 - 183 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 8 - 0

Pennington completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 183 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 6.3 yards per pass attempt. With a steady wind of around 25 miles per hour, the Jets did not attempt many deep passes. Although a few of his passes were affected by the strong winds in Buffalo, for the most part, Pennington was his typical precise self. His touchdown pass was a one yard toss to a wide open Chris Baker on a perfectly executed play action fake. Pennington now has 44 career touchdown passes without an interception in the red zone. So far this season, he has thrown five touchdown passes and one interception.

Pennington scrambled once for five yards. He added a gritty four yard sneak on a fourth down and one play from the Buffalo 33 yard line. Four plays later, Cedric Houston finished the drive with a five yard touchdown run. Pennington was credited with a one yard loss on a kneel down play to end the game.

Pennington lined up once as a wide receiver, when rookie Brad Smith was under center.

RB Kevan Barlow, Rush: 12 - 31 - 1 (1 targets)

Barlow has been the Jets’ starting tailback for the past two games. With the exception of his three yard touchdown, and runs of eight and seven yards, Barlow found the running room tough to come by and ended with 31 yards on 12 carries. Nine of Barlow’s 12 carries went for three yards or less. However, he gained positive yardage on all but two of them. Barlow limped off the field after his seven yard run late in the game and lost a touchdown opportunity as a result.

Barlow dropped the one pass thrown his way. Had he caught the ball, the Jets likely would have converted the third down and six play.

RB Leon Washington, Rush: 7 - 25 - 0, Rec: 2 - 52 - 0 (3 targets)

Washington saw his most extensive action of the season and was a key factor in the game. His second quarter 47 yard catch and run set up the Jets’ first touchdown. On the play, Washington caught a short pass and flashed some speed. Two sharp cuts resulted in two missed tackles. After a facemask penalty was added to the end of the play, New York had and a first down at the Bills’ three yard line.

Washington was also in the running mix with seven carries for 25 yards for a 3.6 yard average. Though hardly overwhelming numbers, Washington’s quickness provided a noticeable lift to New York’s anemic running game.

Washington had a 13 yard catch and run called back by a penalty. On the play, he danced around (a la Barry Sanders) to create some daylight and made something out of nothing.

RB Cedric Houston, Rush: 2 - 10 - 1

After being declared inactive the first two games, Houston got a chance to play. He had consecutive five yard carries form the Buffalo ten yard line, after Kevan Barlow left with an injury. The second run was the Jets’ final touchdown and gave them a 15 point lead with under six minutes to play.

RB B.J. Askew (2 targets)

Askew did not run the ball in the game. He was targeted twice unsuccessfully. The first attempt was an overthrown deep pass down the left sideline.

RB Derrick Blaylock

After getting significant playing time in the first two games, Blaylock was inactive in week three.

WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 10 - 78 - 0 (13 targets)

Coles was targeted a game leading 13 times (45 percent of the Jets’ passes). His ten receptions were also a game high. In a game where the Jets rarely threw deep, his long gain went for 16 yards and Coles was held to under 100 yards for the first time this year. He now has 24 receptions for 331 yards on the season.

WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rec: 3 - 33 - 0 (6 targets)

Cotchery has settled into New York’s number two receiving role. He had receptions of 18, 13, and two yards. The first two catches converted first downs. His 18 yard catch was a key play in the Jets’ second touchdown drive.

WR Tim Dwight, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets)

Dwight saw his first action of the season and caught a screen pass for a short gain. He returned two punts for 19 yards.

WR Brad Smith

Rookie Brad Smith lined up at running back, wideout, and even quarterback. He was not targeted in the passing game, but did hand the ball off on a running play.

WR Justin McCareins

The fact that McCareins was not targeted in this game is a clear indication he has fallen behind Jerricho Cotchery on the depth chart.

TE Chris Baker, Rec: 3 - 15 - 1 (4 targets)

Baker caught the Jets’ only touchdown pass of the game. On the play, Baker lined up as the right end. After a perfect play action fake by Chad Pennington, Baker slipped across the line unnoticed and was wide open for an easy touchdown (his second of the season). Baker dropped one pass.

TE Sean Ryan

Ryan was not targeted in the game. However, he delivered two great blocks while lining up as the fullback on Cedric Houston’s two five yard runs.

PK Mike Nugent 0 - 0 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 4 points

Nugent converted all four extra point tries. He did not have a field goal attempt

NYJ Rush Defense

Willis McGahee rushed for 114 yards in the first half and established a new career high with 150 yards for the game. In all, the Jets’ defense allowed 169 rushing yards and a 5.5 yard average. Had Buffalo not fallen behind in the game, the numbers likely would have been worse. The New York defense does deserve credit for holding the Bills to a field goal after Buffalo had first and goal at the six yard line. The defense stuffed McGahee from the one yard line during the series. Bobby Hamilton may have been the only Jets’ defender who was not fooled by a J.P. Losman naked bootleg from the Jets’ one yard line. Hamilton tackled Losman for a nine yard loss (but was not credited with a sack) and Buffalo was forced to settle for a field goal.

NYJ Pass Defense

The Jets’ pass defense allowed J.P. Losman to pass for a career high 328 yards during the game. The New York defense did not often put pressure on Losman. However, the unit deserves credit for making big plays when needed and keeping the Jets in the game. Losman was sacked three times and lost fumbles on two of the occasions. Kerry Rhodes was credited with two of the sacks and forced both fumbles. Victor Hobson recorded the other sack and returned Losman’s second fumble for a 32 yard touchdown. David Barrett chipped in with an interception. Kimo von Oelhoffen almost intercepted a bobbled screen pass, but couldn’t hold on.

QB J.P. Losman, Pass: 22 - 38 - 328 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 14 - 1

Losman set a career high with 328 passing yards. He threw for one touchdown and added another on the ground with a twelve yard scramble. Losman showed that he can make big plays with his athleticism and strong arm. However, he also demonstrated that he is still a work in progress with some bad decisions and poor game management. Losman never should have thrown the pass that was intercepted. Lee Evans was double covered on the play. To compound the error, the throw looked more like a punt than a pass, as the strong winds caught the ball and caused it to flutter helplessly. Losman was also guilty of calling timeouts at questionable moments and took a delay of game on a key fourth down and one play with the Bills trailing late in the game.

To his credit, Losman did throw some tight spirals into the wind. A quarterback with a lesser arm wouldn’t have been able to make the plays. However, Losman was erratic at times as well and his three turnovers were huge factors in the outcome of the game. Losman missed out on a couple of opportunities for game changing plays. The first time, he almost made a perfect pass, but overthrew Peerless Price by inches on a play that would have likely resulted in a touchdown. He later missed an open Lee Evans on another deep pass that would have resulted in a score.

RB Willis McGahee, Rush: 26 - 150 - 0, Rec: 2 - 3 - 0 (6 targets)

McGahee started this game strongly with 114 first half rushing yards. With Buffalo trailing, he was limited to only eight attempts and 36 yards in the second half, but still set a career high with 150 rushing yards. McGahee averaged 5.8 yards per carry and the Jets had difficulty stopping him. It was his fourth straight 100 yard game against the Jets. Had things gone differently for Buffalo, McGahee might have been looking at a 200 yard game.

McGahee was stopped at the two on a first and goal carry from the six yard line. On the next play, he was stuffed at the one yard line. McGahee’s best runs went for 13, 32, and 12 yards. Only two of his attempts lost yardage. McGahee caught one pass for six yards. His other reception was a dump off that lost three yards late in the game. J. P. Losman’s pass sailed high. McGahee had to leap to reel it in, but lost his footing in the process. McGahee dropped a swing pass on the preceding play. He also bobbled a screen pass early in the game that was almost intercepted. Losman’s pass on that play also was too high, however.

RB Anthony Thomas, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0

Thomas had one carry while giving Willis McGahee a breather. Thomas’ only other touch was a four yard run that was called back due to a penalty.

WR Lee Evans, Rec: 8 - 107 - 0 (12 targets)

Evans had a quiet first half with only two targets and no catches. Evans was clearly J.P. Losman’s go to receiver in the second half. He had ten targets and eight receptions after halftime and finished with 107 yards. Evans’ long reception went for 27 yards. He was targeted deep three times, (one of them in the end zone) and was targeted unsuccessfully on another short pass attempt in the end zone.

WR Peerless Price, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0, Rec: 3 - 49 - 0 (8 targets)

Price was J.P. Losman’s second most targeted receiver and finished with catches of 18, 11, and 20 yards. Losman targeted him deep twice. The first attempt was just barely overthrown and glanced off of Price’s fingertips. Price also ran a reverse for a four yard gain.

WR Josh Reed, Rec: 4 - 45 - 0 (6 targets)

Reed was targeted mostly on short routes, but had a 31 yard catch that set up a field goal in the fourth quarter. He appeared to get his hands under a low pass that would have resulted in a 17 yard gain, but officials ruled that the ball was trapped.

WR Roscoe Parrish, Rec: 4 - 104 - 1 (4 targets)

Parrish made a big splash immediately. He caught a short pass on the game’s second play and in a flash he had darted 51 yards for a touchdown. Parrish caught the ball in between two defenders and was simply too fast for the rest of the defense to recover. Parrish also had a 21 yard reception and gained 22 yards on a wide receiver screen. He added a ten yard catch on Losman’s last completion of the game to finish with 104 receiving yards.

Parrish returned two punts for a total of four yards.

TE Robert Royal, Rec: 1 - 20 - 0 (1 targets)

Royal found a seam in the Jets’ defense and gained 20 yards on his only target of the game.

PK Rian Lindell 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Lindell hit a 36 yard field goal into a stiff wind in the second quarter. He added a 28 yard kick in the fourth and hit both of his extra point attempts.

BUF Rush Defense

The Bills’ defense held the Jets to a modest 74 yards on 24 attempts (a 3.1 yard average). New York’s long run was only eight yards. However, the Jets were able to punch the ball into the end zone twice and Chad Pennington picked up four yards on a key fourth down sneak.

BUF Pass Defense

On paper, the Bills’ defense had a pretty good game. Chad Pennington was held to 183 passing yards and one short touchdown pass. However, he did complete nearly two thirds of his passes. The Bills sacked him once and were able to put pressure on him at times, but it was not consistent throughout the game. Buffalo forced zero turnovers.