Instant Analysis: Jets end 2019 on a high note with win over Bills

Instant analysis from the Jets win over the Bills in Week 17.

The Jets ended 2019 on a high note, defeating the Buffalo Bills by a final score of 13-6.

In typical Jets fashion, New York mustered up just enough offense to claim its seventh win of the season thanks to a dominant defensive effort against Buffalo’s backups.

It’s hard to believe the Jets finished 2019 with a 7-9 record and finished on a 6-2 tear considering all that transpired throughout the season. Now, it’s time to focus on the future. Joe Douglas has plenty of holes to fill this offseason throughout free agency and the NFL draft. With all of Douglas’ impending work in mind, it’s safe to say the Jets will look extremely different when they take the field in 2020.

Game Balls

  • Gregg Williams: Game balls are meant for the players, but we’ll make an exception this week. Williams formulated an excellent defensive gameplan that forced the Bills into turnovers and kept them off the board until late in the third quarter. If only New York’s offense could’ve helped Williams’ defense out a bit…
  • James Burgess: nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and one pass breakup. What a day for the veteran inside linebacker. He’s done enough to earn himself a legitimate role with the Jets moving forward after assuming a starting role late in the season.

Quick Thoughts

  • A low-scoring defensive battle with no offense anywhere to be found. What a fitting way for the 2019 New York Jets to end their season.

  • Why did Adam Gase insist on kicking a 51-yard field goal into the wind instead of going for it on 4th & 1 in the first quarter? Not the wisest move. His wildcat play call on third down wasn’t any better, either. You’re 6-9. Have some guts and go for it.

  • Another week, another big play by Tarrell Basham even though it was questionably overturned by replay. He really came on for the Jets at the end of the season and figures to factor into New York’s defensive plans as a situational pass rusher moving forward.

  • Tough to watch Sam Darnold end the season with a mistake-riddled performance considering the progress he has made in recent weeks and his 6-6 start to the game. Even with Buffalo’s backups in the game, Darnold just wasn’t himself on Sunday with a bevy of questionable decisions, missed throws and a dropped snap.
  • Yes, Buffalo had its backups in on offense all game, but give Gregg Williams credit for drawing up an outstanding defensive game plan to end the season. His scheme had the Bills off balance all day and put his unit in the best position to slow them down.
  • Kicker will be a position of need for the Jets this offseason. Even though he rebounded from a rough first half to put the game on ice, Sam Ficken’s time in the Big Apple is just about up.
  • If you’ve made it this far, thank you to our readers on behalf of the entire Jets Wire staff. It’s been an up and down year, but a pleasure to bring you all as much coverage as possible.