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| Bills WR Marquise Goodwin celebrates a 43-yard TD reception with his trademark dance. (Source: Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports) |
After New York received the opening kickoff, the first possession would just about summarize the remainder of the game for the away team, trouble. Jets quarterback Geno Smith dropped back to pass on 2nd-and-8, completing a short pass to wide receiver Greg Salas. While finishing his motion, Smith took a shot to the ribs from Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus. Smith was noticeably in pain after the hit, remaining on the ground for medical treatment. Smith was eventually helped to this sideline walking off on his own power. By rule, the rookie would have to miss one play before reentering the action. If the Jets knew what was about to come, they probably would've left Smith on the sideline. After a long, scoreless first quarter, there would be some fireworks ahead.
An early 40-yard kick from Bills kicker Dan Carpenter (3-0) in the second quarter got the momentum swinging in Buffalo's favor. With 4:14 left in the first half, Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel took the snap from under center on a 3rd-and-11 in Jets territory. Feeling the casino blitz, Manuel hustled back and quickly lofted up a bomb towards the left sideline. Wide receiver T.J. Graham found himself one on one in the area of the throw and alertly turned back for the ball. Graham shook his man and caught the ball, jogging in for a 34-yard touchdown (10-0). That just got the party started. After Buffalo's ensuing kickoff, the Jets took over with time to work. On the second play of the drive, Smith lined up in the gun. With the rush of Buffalo closing quickly, Smith moved up in the pocket to buy some time, instead Smith was sacked and stripped by tackle Kyle Williams. linebacker Manny Lawson fell on the ball, giving Buffalo an outstanding field position, taking over inside the Jets 5. A few plays later Buffalo cashed in on the turnover with a 3-yard burst from fullback Frank Summers (17-0). The fun did not end there. With just over 2:30 left in the half, Smith and the Jets found themselves in a second and long situation. Out of the gun, an aggressive Smith locked onto tight end Jeff Cumberland. The ball was released and picked off by Bills safety Jairus Byrd. Byrd read Smith's eyes the whole way, thinking he had Cumberland alone with safety Aaron Williams. Buffalo would take over but were unable to get much going, settling for a 42-yard field goal from Carpenter (20-0) to end the half.
The first two quarters were an absolute nightmare for head coach Rex Ryan and the Jets as they couldn't seem to wake up from agony. Smith went 3 of 9 for 44 yards, 1 interception and 1 fumble lost. Running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell rushed for a combined 31 yards. On the other side, Buffalo could do no wrong. Manuel went 11 of 15 for 114 yards and 1 touchdown and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine was manhandling his former team.
The second half would show more of the same from both teams. After a failed first drive by Buffalo, punter Brian Moorman was forced to send it away. Moorman muffed the snap and took off to his right, barely getting away a rugby style boot. The ball traveled 15 yards but was brought back even further after a Buffalo penalty, with the end result being a two yard punt. The Jets would take over in Buffalo territory. A 38-yard toss and catch from Smith to wide receiver Santonio Holmes would put Gang Green in good position to cut into the deficit. Four plays later Ivory punched in a 1-yard score (20-7). Both teams were unable to do anything with the pigskin on the next two drives. Buffalo found themselves with the ball with just over 5:00 to play in the quarter. Starting from their own 17, Manuel and company the field with some swagger in their steps. The first snap saw Manuel throw a 40-yard rope to speedster Graham along the sideline. The play was challenged by Ryan, but was upheld by the officiating crew. Moving the chains to the 43 of the Jets, Buffalo was looking for more. On the very next play, Manuel put up a 43-yard rainbow to USA olympian and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for the score (27-7). To get the points, Goodwin flew by one of the best defenders in the game, Antonio Chromartie with ease. The drive lasted 0:27 in just two plays for 83 yards. Buffalo kicked off to wide receiver and return specialist Josh Cribbs for a touchback. Smith and the Jets would have to get something going on this series to make any kind of comeback. The first play was a rush by Ivory that was blown up for a 3-yard loss by Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso. On the next play Smith was surveying the field and threw a pass intended for Holmes that was intercepted by Byrd. Buffalo could not get points out of the gift, but the confidence of Smith was officially shot. On the following Jets series, Smith and the offense seemed as though they were getting something going. A throw to tight end Kellen Winslow and a Buffalo penalty, New York lined up on their own 47. On 2nd-and-10, a screen was set up for Holmes, but was sniffed out by virtually the entire Bills defense, resulting in a 32-yard pick-six from safety Da'Norris Searcy (34-7). The quarter would eventually end and so would Smith's day.
Jets quarterback Matt Sims took over the offensive commands for the final fifteen. Sims looked solid, under strict orders from the coaching staff to play smart and turnover free. Sims would eventually hook up with Cumberland on a curl route for a 13-yard touchdown (34-14). Buffalo would run out a chunk of the clock, eventually adding a late 43-yard kick from Carpenter (37-14). After a failed 4th-and-5 from Buffalo's 5, Manuel would line up behind center Eric Wood in the victory formation.
Jets 14 Bills 37 FINAL
This was by far Buffalo's best all around team victory this season. The defense held Smith to 8 of 23 completions for just 103 yards, 3 interceptions and 1 lost fumble, the special teams added 3 field goals of 40 plus yards and the offense combined for 317 net yards.
Although Buffalo looked extremely impressive in the win, there was one major concern, the effectiveness of the run game. Star running back C.J. Spiller had 13 carries for just 6 yards, an average of 0.5 yards per carry. The team combined for a total of 38 carries for 68 yards, an average of a pathetic 1.8 yards per carry.
With the win Buffalo moves to 4-7 with the victory (2-2 in the AFC East), while the Jets crash to 5-5 (2-2 in the AFC East).
Three stars for Buffalo in week eleven:
1. E.J. Manuel- 20 of 28, 245 YDS, 2 TD
2. Jairus Byrd- 3 TKL, 1 SACK, 1 TFL, 2 PD, 2 INT
3. Marquise Goodwin- 6 REC, 81 YDS, 1 TD, 1 CAR, 17 YDS
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