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Week 9 Game Recap: New York Jets 26, Buffalo Bills 17
What you need to know
| New York Jets |
The New York Jets, fresh off a sloppy victory against the Chiefs in week eight, shuffled up to Buffalo in search of their fifth victory of 2008. Struggling to find rhythm all game, the Favre led Jets hit big plays on both sides of the ball and were able to escape Ralph Wilson Stadium with a much needed interdivision victory.
Favre played a less familiar role as he had to manage the game and keep the chains moving against a fast and stout Bills defense. He delivered by completing all but nine passes, enduring his second game of the season where he has failed to record a touchdown pass. On the ground the Jets aided the passing game by putting in a workmanlike effort and keeping the offensive unit on the field. Led by Thomas Jones' 69 yards, the Jets rushed 25 times and averaged just less than four yards per carry. Jones again, was the only player to record an offensive touchdown as he took a third quarter handoff and scampered seven yards for the score.
This slugfest was ultimately decided by the defensive units and the Jets brought it for four quarters, limiting a very strong Buffalo offense to only 17 points and less than 300 yards of total offense. They registered five sacks and two interceptions on the day which was highlighted by Abram Elam's' beautiful 92 yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first quarter. It was this type of day for the streaky Jets as their defense kept them in the game and made the plays when they needed to, improving as a team to 5-3.
| Buffalo Bills |
The Buffalo Bills looked to put a little separation between the Jets and themselves in the standings, welcoming them to Ralph Wilson Stadium for the first of their two meetings this year. Trent Edwards led the only semblance of an offense as Buffalo struggled mightily on the ground and was inconsistent through the air, turning the ball over three times in total.
Edwards, forced to throw 35 times, was able to complete 24 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown. He was able to spread the wealth to eight different targets however he became a victim of a non-existent running game as the Jets played the pass for most of the day forcing Edwards into two crucial interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Like the Jets, Buffalo was only able to record one offensive touchdown when Trent Edwards found Derek Fine in the front of the end zone for an eight yard score. On the ground, the Bills did not have any success rushing 16 times for 32 total yards. Both Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson were featured and had much more success receiving out of the backfield.
The Buffalo defense made game changing plays however was unable to overcome their own miscues as they allowed 26 points in total and were unable to get to Bret Favre and record a sack. The lack of pressure eventually caught up to this unit as they could not get off the field and gave up large chunks of yards while enduring long drives. The lone bright spot for the Bills defense came in the fourth quarter as Jabari Greer intercepted a Bret Favre pass, taking it 42 yards for a Bills touchdown.
What you ought to know
| QB Brett Favre, Pass: 19 - 28 - 201 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - -2 - 0 |
Brett Favre took the role of game manager against Buffalo as he made efficient throws and moved the chains. He completed 19 passes for 201 yards, hitting five different receivers in the process. Favre took some shots downfield throughout the game having one pass result in an interception which was returned for a touchdown by Jabari Greer.
| RB Thomas Jones, Rush: 12 - 69 - 1, Rec: 6 - 38 - 0 (8 targets) |
Jones had a solid game as he went over 100 total yards rushing and receiving while punching in the Jets only offensive touchdown. He has continued his hard nosed running as he now has four touchdowns in his last four games. He also showed his dual threat ability out of the backfield and he was able to bring in six of his eight targets for 38 yards.
| RB Leon Washington, Rush: 7 - 13 - 0, Rec: 2 - 42 - 0 (3 targets) |
Leon Washington again provided the spark for the Jets, making his presence felt on the second play of the game as he took a screen pass 40 yards into Bills territory and setting up the first three points of the game for New York. He totaled 55 yards on nine touches and was the clear second option running on the ground for the Jets.
| WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rush: 1 - 8 - 0, Rec: 6 - 62 - 0 (8 targets) |
Cotchery saw a team high eight targets and was able to record six receptions for 68 yards. He was looked to early and often and had a few nice runs after the reception. He is still a clear first choice in Favre's progressions and is relied upon heavily in the Jets passing attack.
| WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 3 - 40 - 0 (5 targets) |
Coles had a quiet day catching three balls for 40 yards. Early in the game he was clearly open on a third down play however Favre was unable to see him, throwing the ball through the back of the end zone, and settling for three points.
| WR Brad Smith, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0 |
Brad Smith rushed one time for five yards.
| TE Dustin Keller, Rec: 2 - 19 - 0 (5 targets) |
Keller saw an increased number of looks on the day but was only able to come away with two grabs for 19 yards. He was targeted more than recent games and did receive a red zone target from Favre on a second down play early in the first half.
| PK Jay Feely 4 - 5 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 14 points |
Feely had a busy day while making some very clutch kicks and assuring the Jets points on their drives. He connected on four of his five attempts while converting both of his PAT opportunities.
| NYJ Rush Defense |
The Jets rush defense was stellar and benefited from a crippled Bills ground game. Forcing Lynch to the sidelines, New York was equally successful bottling up Fred Jackson as they allowed less than two yards per carry against a Bills team who success is directly predicated on rushing the football. They made big plays by getting pressure and forcing Buffalo into some very tough third down situations where their secondary then was able to excel and make the big play.
| NYJ Pass Defense |
With the Bills running game staled the sole defensive emphasis was placed on the Jets pass defense to deliver, and deliver they did. They forced Trent Edwards into two bad interceptions while also bringing pressure from the outside, as Darrelle Revis had a huge fumble recovery off of his sack deep in Bills territory. They protected against the deep ball and forced the Bills passing attack to earn every yard they gained. In the end it was interceptions by Revis and Abram Elam that sealed the victory for the upstart Jets.
| QB Trent Edwards, Pass: 24 - 35 - 289 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0 |
Edwards had a rough game as he was forced to throw an unwarranted number of times; completing 24 of his 35 pass attempts for 289 yards and a score. Early in the game Edwards connected with rookie Derek Fine on an eight yard score, which would eventually be the only offensive score for Buffalo. With the lack of a ground game Edwards faced an uphill battle most of the day. He was continuously forced to throw into Nickel coverage and had some mistakes capitalized on as two of his three turnovers resulted in ten points for New York.
| RB Marshawn Lynch, Rush: 9 - 16 - 0, Rec: 3 - 52 - 0 (4 targets) |
Lynch opened up the game strong, taking a screen pass for a big 52 yard gain, however retired to the sidelines shortly thereafter. Announcers got word that Lynch was feeling ill and had to be replaced by backup running back Fred Jackson. He was seen throughout the first half with a towel over his head however he did manage to return after halftime. On the day Lynch was only able to gain 16 yards on the ground as he found much more success through the air, catching three of his four targets for 52 yards.
| RB Fred Jackson, Rush: 7 - 15 - 0, Rec: 3 - 25 - 0 (6 targets) |
Jackson was called upon to replace the ill Marshawn Lynch and like Marshawn, was able to find much success through the air. He grabbed three balls for 25 yards while chipping in an additional 15 yards on seven carries.
| WR Lee Evans, Rec: 4 - 41 - 0 (8 targets) |
Evans saw a team high eight targets against New York, managing to come down with half of them as he posted 41 yards on four grabs. He was shut down pretty well on his deep routes and was forced to chip and peck on short routes. He was the main option for Edwards on the day and some pressed coverage as Buffalo was playing with a hobbled wide receiver corps.
| WR Roscoe Parrish, Rec: 3 - 51 - 0 (6 targets) |
Parrish, filling in for the injured Josh Reed saw six targets and was able to contribute by catching three balls for 51 yards. The highlight reel kick return man showed off his impressive speed and elusiveness by gaining good yardage after the catch, including a short grab on a third and fifteen play that he was able to turn into a 22 yard first down grab.
| WR James Hardy (1 targets) |
Hardy saw only one target on the day and it was an incomplete pass.
| TE Robert Royal, Rec: 5 - 70 - 0 (6 targets) |
Royal had six looks go his way and was the Bills leading receiver because of it. He caught five balls for 70 yards and was targeted deep down the seam on a couple plays. Royal showed good hands and a nice ability to run after the catch as he powered his way for some tough yardage late.
| TE Derek Fine, Rec: 4 - 43 - 1 (4 targets) |
The rookie tight end had a great game as he caught all four of his targets for 43 yards against New York. Running a lot of double tight end formations Fine took advantage of his opportunity by catching the only touchdown of the game for the Bills. He took an eight yard route and sat in the front of the end zone where Edwards was able to zip a quick pass to him for the big score.
| PK Rian Lindell 1 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points |
Lindell was quiet against New York connecting on one of his two field goal attempts. He drilled a 53 yard field goal in the third quarter to cut the Jets lead to six however was unable to connect on his next attempt from 43 yards out.
| BUF Rush Defense |
The Bills rush defense held the Jets under 100 yards on the day however was unable to come up with any big stop when they needed it as Thomas Jones averaged over four yards per carry and was able to record his fifth rushing touchdown of the season. On the field for entirely too long, the Jets long drives wore down the Buffalo defense and kept the clock moving. While they were stout and defended their end zone they could not force the Jets into many punting situations as they allowed the Jets to come away with points on five offensive drives.
| BUF Pass Defense |
The pass defense was good in coverage, but again was unable to apply much pressure to an aging Favre. They did not record a sack on the day as the Jets quarterback was kept upright for 60 minutes of football. The lone bright spot on the day was a big 42 yard interception return by Bills cornerback Jabari Greer early in the fourth quarter. This touchdown would be the bills last points scored on the day as the Jets ate up eight minutes and 41 seconds on their ensuing drive to put their fifth victory on ice.
