Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - In the regular season home finale, the Buffalo Bills dominated their AFC East rival New York Jets, 40-14, on Sunday at Highmark Stadium. With this win, the Bills not only finish the regular season a perfect 8-0 at home, they also clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC standings heading into the playoffs.
After winning the opening coin toss, the Bills elected to receive the kickoff, and make their way to the end zone to start the game.
Although penalties became an early factor in this contest, the Bills managed to chew about seven minutes off of the clock and take the early 7-0 lead thanks to a one-yard quarterback sneak from Josh Allen.
The touchdown was a significant one for Allen, as it marked the 65th rushing score of his career, tying Bills Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas for the all-time franchise mark.
Just as it looked like the Jets were going to punch one in for a score on their first offensive drive of the game, the Bills defense came up with a fourth down stop to get the ball back to Allen and the offense.
Following a Bills punt after the forced turnover on downs, the Jets found their way back down the field and into the Buffalo red zone with less than nine minutes remaining in the second quarter. However, the drive resulted in nothing for the Jets after quarterback Aaron Rodgers was intercepted by Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips.
Once again, though, the Buffalo offense failed to capitalize on the turnover, having to punt the ball away.
After a great punt by Sam Martin pinned the Jets within their own five-yard line, the Bills defense were able to put some points on the board. Veteran pass rusher A.J. Epenesa was able to beat his blocker and sack Rodgers in the end zone to add two points on the board.
With just over two minutes remaining in the first half, the Bills offense was able to capitalize, adding three more points on the scoreboard.
With some help from penalties on the Jets defense, Allen was able to get the Buffalo offense into field goal range, setting up kicker Tyler Bass for a 39-yard field goal to give the Bills a 12-0 lead heading into the locker room.
After the Bills and Jets both exchanged punts to open the second half, Buffalo began its second half route when cornerback Christian Benford got in front of a Rodgers pass intended for wide receiver Allen Lazard. Benford returned the pick 24 yards to the Buffalo 47-yard line, and then an unnecessary roughness call gave the Bills an extra 15 yards to set up their next offensive drive.
All it took for the Bills to find the end zone again was five plays, as Allen tossed a ball up for veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper to get for a 30-yard touchdown.
Following forcing another Jets three-and-out and punt, the Bills marched right back down the field again, adding another seven points on the scoreboard thanks to a one-yard touchdown run from running back James Cook.
Cook's 15th touchdown of the season was also a new franchise record for the team, marking the 61st touchdown of the year, breaking the team record set in 2020.
The third quarter nightmare for the Jets continued, as wide receiver Garrett Wilson fumbled a short pass from Rodgers on the first play of the next drive. The ball was eventually recovered by linebacker Matt Milano, setting the Bills up at the Jets' 15-yard line.
Three plays later, Allen connected with wide receiver Keon Coleman on a pass he floated up there for the rookie to get from 14 yards out.
That touchdown helped set another new franchise mark for the Bills, as the 2024 edition of this team became the highest scoring group in the organization's history.
Another three-and-out into the early parts of the fourth quarter signaled another punt for the Jets, giving the Bills an opportunity to sit some starters up 33-0. This included a change at quarterback, as Allen's afternoon was over, and backup Mitch Trubisky took over.
While Allen's stats weren't eye-popping, he finished his afternoon by going 16-of-27 for 182 yards and his two touchdowns. He also accounted for 17 yards rushing on five carries and another touchdown.
However, Allen's three total touchdowns helped him reach 41 total touchdowns on the season, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to reach the 40-total touchdown mark for a fifth-straight season. He also became just the second quarterback in NFL history with five or more seasons of 40-plus total touchdowns.
On Buffalo's first drive with backups now in place, the Bills found the end zone one last time on the day, thanks to Tyrell Shavers, who took a short pass from Trubisky 69 yards to the house.
After the Shavers score, it also signaled the end of the afternoon for Rodgers under center for the Jets.
In came former Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor to close out the contest for New York, and he ended up helping the Jets find the end zone on their final two drives.
The first points on the board for the Jets came with Taylor connecting with wide receiver Garrett Wilson for a nine-yard touchdown pass with 6:59 to go.
Then after a Bills turnover on downs, Taylor led one more scoring drive, this time connecting on a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyler Conklin with 1:55 remaining.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (8:14) - Josh Allen rushes up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 80 yds, 6:49
Second Quarter:
- 9-0 BUFFALO: Bills safety (2:31) - A.J. Epenesa sacks Aaron Rodgers in the end zone for a safety.
- 12-0 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (0:00) - Tyler Bass' 39-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 47 yards, 2:31
Third Quarter:
- 19-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (5:13) - Josh Allen tosses a deep pass to Amari Cooper for a 30-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:07
- 26-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (1:15) - James Cook rushes up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 37 yards, 1:50
- 33-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (0:56) - Josh Allen lobs a 14-yard pass into the end zone to Keon Coleman for a touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 15 yards, 0:56
Fourth Quarter:
- 40-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (12:37) - Tyrell Shavers catches a short pass from Mitch Trubisky, and then takes off for a 69-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:38
- 40-8 BUFFALO: Jets touchdown (6:59) - Tyrod Taylor fires a pass to Garrett Wilson for a 9-yard touchdown. (New York's two-point conversion attempt is successful)
Drive info: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:38
- 40-14 BUFFALO: Jets touchdown (1:55) - Tyrod Taylor connects with Tyler Conklin for a 20-yard touchdown pass. (New York's two-point conversion attempt is unsuccessful)
Drive info: 8 plays, 58 yards, 2:49
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills will close out the regular season schedule next week with a matchup against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The date and time for Buffalo's Week 18 kickoff has yet to be announced.