Jets Steamroll Buffalo in Season Finale, 30-10

Bilal Powell (ED MULHOLLAND/GETTY IMAGES)

The New York Jets ended the season on a high note as they defeated their AFC East rivals the Buffalo Bills 30-10 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Jets played well in all three phases of the game and gave it their all in this final matchup of the season. The Jets were the underdogs going into this game and the way this game went no one would have know that.

The Jets were able to get the running game going with Bilal Powell and they even were able to pass the ball in this game as Ryan Fitzpatrick was  the starter at quarterback.

This last game against Buffalo was a meaningless football game as both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Bills were eliminated from playoff contention just last week as they loss to the Miami Dolphins in overtime. There was pride on the line in this game for the Jets as they wanted to go into the offseason  on a high note and they did just that as they were able to get many things going in this game. Todd Bowles on how important it was for the Jets to end the season on a positive note:

“It was real important for us. We all have a bad taste in our mouth that probably still won’t leave, but for today, in finishing the game and the season the right way, it was a plus.”

The Jets defense was played very good  in this one too as they pitched a shutout for most of the game, until Buffalo was able to get a touchdown in the final minutes of the game. The Jets were able to get a pass rush on the Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel all throughout the game and had three takeaways as a unit in this game too. The last time the Jets defense had three takeaways in a game was back in week 7 against Baltimore.  The Jets had two fumbles recoveries and a 51-yard interception return by their star cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Revis interception would be his first on the season and it could be the last interception that Jet fans will see by Revis as this may have been his last game as a New York Jet.

The Jets even had a special teams touchdown in this game which provided a spark as the Jets special teams unit has been last in the league these past two seasons. Safety Doug Middleton was able to secure the special teams touchdown for the Jets late in the game as the Buffalo returner just let it roll away.

Powell had eclipsed 1,000 scrimmage yards for the season on a four-yard run in the first quarter. This marks the first time he has registered 1,000 or more yards in a season for his career. Powell also had 122 rushing yards and a touchdown in this game, marking his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and the third of his career. The Jets were stout against the run of Buffalo as they limited the Bills to 67 rushing yards on 28 carries which is the third lowest output the Bills have produced in a game this season.

Another offensive producer in this game was wide receiver Quincy Enunwa. Enunwa had five receptions for 81 receiving yards, improving his season yardage output to a team leading 857 yards. He also surpassed former running back Richie Anderson for the most receiving yards in a season by a sixth round draft pick in franchise history.

The Jets were able to get a good look at their future in several positions in this game except for quarterback as Christian Hackenberg did not see the field at all in this game. One of the positives were that the young players were able to get some more experience in this game and they all provided some sort of spark in the game. The team showed great effort in this win and Bowles believed that they played smarter football in this game.

“The effort was good. We played smarter football,” said Bowles.

The Jets end the year  with the win as they prepare  add some depth at a few key positions in the offseason. Those positions are the offensive line, cornerback, and safety as well as looking to see who they think can be their quarterback of the future. The future for the Jets has many questions left to be answered, but the Jets feel that they can improve going forward as they know that there is a lot of work left to do. With the win the Jets have swept Buffalo for the first time in two years. The New York Jets improved  to 53-59 all-time against Buffalo and the 30-10 win marked the largest margin of victory over the Bills at home since 2012. The Jets improved to 5-11 for the year and currently hold the sixth overall pick for this year’s upcoming NFL draft.