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A win is a win. There’s no need to apologize for that. The Buffalo Bills move to 5-2 and won a game that they were expected to be victorious in over the lowly New York Jets (0-7). However, there are definitely reasons to be concerned after the score against arguably the worst team in the NFL.
The Bills offense settled for eight field goal attempts. Rookie kicker Tyler Bass made six of them, providing all of the Bills points. All 18.
The first half was mind-numbing. The Jets led for more time in the first half than they did over the course of their first six games. New York took a 10-6 lead into halftime. The opening half was frustrating for the Bills defense, as it felt like the team was back in its bend-but-don’t-break mentality. In fact, there was a feeling the unit was giving the Jets the same treatment that Buffalo gave Patrick Mahomes last week. Except, of course, Darnold isn’t in the same stratosphere as Mahomes.
Yet, Darnold was efficient in the first half for New York, going 11-of-15 for 116 passing yards. He did throw an interception. Bills rookie Dane Jackson made his first-career interception, which was also Buffalo’s first pick by a member of their secondary this season.
But Jets running back Frank Gore ran for 46 yards on eight carries, while La’Michal Perine added 36 yards on 10 carries during the first half.
Buffalo could only muster six points against a weak defense. Bills quarterback Josh Allen, for his part, went 12-of-20 for 129 yards. The quarterback added 48 yards on the ground.
Things went a bit better for Buffalo’s defense in the second half, as they reflected the group that the Bills expected at the start of the season. The unit completely smothered the Jets offense. They forced four punts and effectively ended the game with an interception of Darnold with just over one minute remaining in the game. Darnold only managed four passing yards in the second half. He completed only one of nine passes.
Buffalo defensive end Jerry Hughes looked like the Jerry of old, putting constant pressure on the Jets offensive line throughout the second half. All told, the Jets only managed 190 total yards.
The Bills recorded six sacks. Hughes led the way with two, while Jordan Poyer added one sack. Six players earned half of a sack during the game: Dean Marlowe, AJ Klein, Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano, AJ Epenesa, and Trent Murphy. Jackson and Hughes were on the receiving end of Darnold’s interceptions.
The second-half play of Buffalo’s defense gives some promise for the future. But that first-half still leaves a bit of a bad taste, as the Jets had no reason to have a lead at halftime. However, the blame can be pinned on Buffalo’s offense for that.
Buffalo’s offense could not find the end zone all day. The only time they did crack the goal line, the call was reversed due to an illegal formation penalty. The Bills could not keep drives moving, as they went only 3-of-11 on third downs.
Even with the Bills’ offensive struggles, there are still some positives to take from the game. The Bills adjusted to the Jets defense and worked their secondary underneath the zone, working quick passes to move methodically down the field. Allen went 30-of-43 for 307 passing yards. Receiver Cole Beasley was the most effective target in the passing game, catching 11 passes for 112 yards. Tyler Kroft stepped up as well, reeling in four passes for 64 receiving yards. The run game performed adequately, as Zack Moss, Devin Singletary, and Allen combined to average 4.7 yards per carry on 27 rushes.
Even with the positive stats, there’s just a feeling that this game was not as dominant as expected. Buffalo’s offense can get away with field goals against the Jets. The defense held strong in the second half, but the Bills are still looking for a total 60-minute effort from this unit.
It won’t be so easy next week, as the Bills return home to take on their long-time nemesis, the New England Patriots.
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