Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - After last week's deflating loss to the Denver Broncos on "Monday Night Football", the Buffalo Bills bounced back in a huge way with a 32-6 win over the visiting New York Jets at Highmark Stadium.
The win is the first for new interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who assumed offensive play-calling duties after the firing of Ken Dorsey back on Tuesday.
Buffalo came out strong on the opening kickoff, as full back Reggie Gilliam laid a massive hit on returner Xavier Gipson, knocking the football loose. It was fellow tight end Quintin Morris falling on the football, giving the Bills a short field to work with at the Jets' 21-yard line.
However, the Bills ended up going backwards on their opening drive after a third down sack taken by quarterback Josh Allen. Nonetheless, kicker Tyler Bass was called upon to convert a 48-yard field goal to give the Bills an early 3-0 lead.
After the Jets fail to do anything on their first offensive drive, the Bills offense put together a 14-play, 58-yard drive that resulted in a successful 30-yard field goal from Bass to extend the lead to 6-0.
The Bills defense forced another Jets punt, and the Buffalo offense went to work again putting up another three points on the scoreboard. This time, Bass booted another one through the uprights from 33 yards out.
Buffalo's first defensive turnover of the game came with 5:19 left in the second quarter as Jets quarterback Zach Wilson tossed a pass intended for his No. 1 wide receiver Garrett Wilson that was picked off by cornerback Rasul Douglas. It was Douglas' first interception with the Bills since being acquired at the NFL Trade Deadline from the Green Bay Packers.
The Bills capitalized on their great field position at the 23-yard line, finding the end zone for the first time on the day with running back James Cook reeling in a five-yard touchdown pass from Allen.
After going 40 offensive possessions without a touchdown scored, the Jets finally snapped out of their funk just before halftime with Wilson connecting with running back Breece Hall from nine yards out. The Jets elected to go for the two-point conversion, but ended up being unsuccessful.
During that drive for the Jets, the Bills lost a couple of secondary assets on the same play with cornerback Taron Johnson going down with a concussion and safety Taylor Rapp suffering a neck injury. Rapp would remain down for some time before being taken off the field in an ambulance.
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With a chance to put up one more scoring drive just before halftime, the Bills offense came up empty with an Allen Hail Mary pass attempt falling short of the end zone and being picked off by Ashtyn Davis.
Despite the turnover at the end of the half, the Bills offense picked up right where they left off to start the third quarter. On the final play of an eight-play, 75-yard drive, Allen was able to connect with running back Ty Johnson for a 28-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
After another defensive stop by the Buffalo defense on New York's first drive of the half, the Bills struck once again, this time with Allen firing a strike to wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who then turned on the afterburners for an 81-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
After a drive that ended in a sack later in the third quarter, the Jets made the move to pull Wilson from under center and replace him with backup Tim Boyle.
Just after the start of the fourth quarter, the Bills defense came up with another turnover as linebacker Tyrel Dodson punched the ball out of the hands of Wilson. Recovering the loose change was Douglas, who gave the Bills a chance to score again at their own 39-yard line.
However, the Bills don't get very far after the turnover, and end up punting again.
The Bills ended up getting another field goal with just over five minutes remaining in the game, as Bass upped the Buffalo lead to 32-6 from 50 yards out.
Douglas added to an already exceptional performance on Sunday by intercepting Boyle, setting the Bills up to run the clock down for the final two minutes of the game.
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GAME RECAP:
First Quarter:
- 3-0 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (13:31) - Tyler Bass' 48-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 4 plays, -9 yards, 1:22
- 6-0 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (5:56) - Tyler Bass' 30-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive Info: 14 plays, 58 yards, 6:05
Second Quarter:
- 9-0 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (11:26) - Tyler Bass' 33-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 65 yards, 5:52
- 16-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (3:03) - Josh Allen tosses a five-yard touchdown pass to James Cook. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive Info: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:16
- 16-6 BUFFALO: Jets touchdown (0:45) - Zach Wilson lobs a nine-yard touchdown pass to Breece Hall. (New York's two-point conversion attempt is unsuccessful)
Drive Info: 11 plays, 84 yards, 2:18
Third Quarter:
- 22-6 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (10:34) - Josh Allen connects with Ty Johnson for a 28-yard catch-and-run touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is no good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:26
- 29-6 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (6:29) - Josh Allen fires an 81-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir. (Tyler Bass' extra point is attempt is good)
Drive info: 2 plays, 86 yards, 0:55
Fourth Quarter:
- 32-6 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (5:16) - Tyler Bass' 50-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive Info: 7 plays, 22 yards, 4:17
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills will travel to Philadelphia next Sunday to take on the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is slated for 4:25 p.m. EST on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.