East Rutherford, N.J. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - After a thrilling last-minute comeback win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, it was a much different story for the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
The Bills were able to keep their momentum up from the fourth quarter of their season-opening win, and ended up cruising to a relatively easy 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
After struggling to stop the run last week, the Bills defense came out strong on the Jets' opening drive. The unit forced a three-and-out, and allowed Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense to take the field in short order.
The Bills then went to work offensively, taking advantage of their first opportunity with the football.
The drive got started with a massive 40-yard run from Allen on third down to get the Bills into New York territory. Nine plays later, Buffalo found the end zone courtesy of running back James Cook, who was able to punch it in from one yard out.
Buffalo's defense was unrelenting, as quarterback Justin Fields found himself under duress, resulting in a turnover. On the first play to the Jets' next offensive drive, Bills pass rusher Joey Bosa was able to punch the ball out, and A.J. Epenesa jumped on top to secure possession.
Despite taking over in New York territory, the Bills were unable to find the end zone again, but kicker Matt Prater was able to extend the lead by three with a 28-yard field goal.
Just before the end of the first quarter, Allen was forced out of the game briefly after being tackled and taking a shot to his face, causing a nose bleed.
Mitch Trubisky was called into action, and was able to complete a pivotal third down pass to wide receiver Joshua Palmer for 32 yards.
Allen was back under center to start the second quarter, but was unable to advance the Bills much further on the drive. That led to another field goal attempt from Prater, which he converted on from 52 yards out.
Following another three-and-out forced by the Buffalo defense, the Bills put up another scoring drive, this time thanks to a five-play drive that resulted in Cook breaking free for a long 44-yard touchdown run.
The Jets offense finally got into a rhythm, putting together a drive that was lead by Fields gaining yards using his legs. New York reached Buffalo territory for the first time, but was only able to put up three points on the scoreboard with a 51-yard field goal from kicker Nick Folk.
The first half eventually wound down with neither team able to get back into scoring position, resulting in a 20-3 lead for the Bills entering the locker room.
Buffalo received the second half kickoff and were quick to put three more points on the board. The Bills offense moved their way down the field with Cook, but Buffalo was not able to make it all the way to the end zone.
A 33-yard field goal from Prater put Buffalo ahead, 23-3, with 9:01 remaining in the third quarter.
Buffalo's defense forced another three-and-out, and the Bills offense went to work delivering the killing blow to the Jets' hopes of a comeback.
The Bills managed to chew nearly seven minutes off the clock in 12 plays, and capped their drive off with a four-yard touchdown run from wide receiver Elijah Moore on a jet sweep.
Following a third-down sack from Bosa early in the fourth quarter, Fields ended up leaving the contest and was seen heading to the locker room with New York's training staff to be examined for a concussion. That meant former Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor was called upon to finish the game under center for the Jets.
After one more offensive drive for the Bills that resulted in a punt, Allen's afternoon was officially done, giving way for Trubisky once again to close out the contest.
New York was able to put up a touchdown drive late, as Taylor connected with tight end Jeremy Ruckert, but it was not enough to matter in the end. The Bills managed to then kill off the final 3:28 remaining on the clock to secure a 30-10 win.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (7:33) - James Cook rushes up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive into: 13 plays, 81 yards, 5:58
- 10-0 BUFFALO: Bills Field Goal (5:04) - Matt Prater's 28-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive into: 6 plays, 14 yards, 2:10
Second Quarter:
- 13-0 BUFFALO: Bills Field Goal (14:02) - Matt Prater's 52-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive into: 9 plays, 46 yards, 3:31
- 20-0 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (8:50) - James Cook breaks free for a 44-yard touchdown run. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive into: 5 plays, 73 yards, 2:55
- 20-3 NEW YORK: Jets Field Goal (4:21) - Nick Folk's 51-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive into: 7 plays, 31 yards, 4:29
Third Quarter:
- 23-3 BUFFALO: Bills Field Goal (9:01) - Matt Prater's 33-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive into: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:59
Fourth Quarter:
- 30-3 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (14:57) - Elijah Moore takes a jet sweep four yards for a rushing touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good).
Drive into: 12 plays, 79 yards, 6:59
- 30-10 NEW YORK: Jets Touchdown (3:28) - Jeremy Ruckert reeled in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor. (Nick Folk's extra point attempt is good).
Drive into: 10 plays, 54-yards, 3:07
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills will return home for another divisional matchup on Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins. Kickoff from Highmark Stadium is slated for 8:15 p.m. on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.