Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills covered all the key items on the checklist for their Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets:
1.) Win the game and clinch the 2-seed in the AFC.
2.) Finish off an unbeaten home regular season.
3.) Give yourselves the option of resting starters in a meaningless Week 18 game.
The score was close for a half, as the Bills only led 12-0 at the break. However, the Jets sure looked like a team that was already mentally in their offseason.
The Bills offense, defense and special teams combined to turn the game into a laugher, as Buffalo scored 21 points in the third quarter to put this one away fast.
Josh Allen, who is in a tight race with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for the MVP award, ended up with 199 total yards of offense and three touchdowns.
Related
Even though we know how great Allen is, he still has the ability to make jaw-dropping plays. His touchdown passes to Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper were beautiful throws.
The one to Coleman was vintage Allen, as he ran to the right sideline and at the very last moment, heaved the ball back across the field. The rookie wideout made a leaping grab for the score.
It was good to see Cooper get involved again for the Bills. He caught all three of his targets for 56 yards and the touchdown.
Cooper, who went over 10,000 yards receiving in his career in this game, had just one reception the previous two games.
Allen played another clean game with no interceptions on Sunday. It was the 11th time this season Allen has gone without a pick, and that is a new career-high.
Credit should also go to the Bills offensive line which did their part in Allen's seventh sack free game of the season. Six of those have come in the last seven starts.
The offense moved the ball effectively for most of the game, and also took advantage of short fields given to them by the defense.
Speaking of the defense, the unit came up with three takeaways, recorded four sacks, and got into the scorebook with a safety of Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Buffalo's defense was helped by the return of cornerback Rasul Douglas, safety Taylor Rapp and linebacker Matt Milano.
Rodgers was never comfortable at any point for the Jets in the pocket. The pass rush was getting pressure and sacks, and the secondary did a good job covering his top targets.
Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams combined for 113 yards and a touchdown, with most of it all coming in garbage time.
Special teams chipped in as well in this one.
Brandon Codrington had a 25-yard punt return, while Ty Johnson also recorded a 45-yard kick return.
Tyler Bass hit all five of his extra point attempts, as well as his lone field goal attempt from 39 yards out.
One of Sam Martin's punts pinned the Jets at their own 5-yard line, resulting in the drive that ended with A.J. Epenesa tackling Rodgers in the end zone for a safety.
What kind of a day was it for the Bills? They put backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the game for the fourth quarter, and he promptly threw a 69-yard touchdown to Tyrell Shavers, who picked up his first-career touchdown.
Related
Bonus Notes:
- The undefeated regular season at home is the first for the Bills since 1990, and just the third in franchise history (1988).
- The Bills are the 2-seed for the third-straight season, and fourth time in five years.
- The Bills have 13 wins for the third time in the McDermott/Beane era. The Bills have never won 14 games in a season.
- Allen recorded his 65th career rushing touchdown, one shy of Thurman Thomas' franchise record.
- Allen became the first player in NFL history to have five-straight seasons of 40-or-more total touchdowns.
- The Bills have scored a franchise record 63 touchdowns and 509 points.
- The Bills scored 30-or-more points for the 12th time in 16 games.
- Buffalo scored 40-plus points for the fourth time, which is a new Bills single-season record.
- James Cook got his 15th rushing touchdown of the season, one shy of O.J. Simpson's franchise record.
- Greg Rousseau tied his career-high with eight sacks.
- The Bills are now 24-5 against AFC East teams since 2020.
- The Bills have won 16 of the last 17 regular season home games, and 24 of 26.
- The Bills are 23-3 in December/January regular season games since 2020.
- Shavers became the 13th different player to catch a touchdown pass this season, which ties an NFL single-season record.
The Bills close out the regular season this coming Sunday in New England against the Patriots. With a loss on Sunday, New England will secure the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.