Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills got back on the winning track on Sunday after two-straight losses, defeating the New York Jets, 32-6, at Highmark Stadium.
Here are my Arrows Up and Down, finally being able to start with those pointing Up again:
ARROW UP:
Joe Brady
It was a very nice start for the Bills' new interim offensive coordinator.
The statistics weren’t off the charts, but the production was. 32 points scored is the most given up by a Jets defense all season.
CB - Rasul Douglas
Douglas showed exactly why the Bills traded for him last month, collecting two interceptions and recovering a fumble, totaling three takeaways himself.
He was also credited with three past breakups. Just an overall outstanding game for Douglas.
Dalton Kincaid's first half
As usual, Kincaid caught everything thrown his way, collecting six grabs on seven targets for 46 yards. All of that came in the first half.
QB - Josh Allen
Against the team that had really been frustrating him, Allen had a solid performance, completing 20-of-32 passes (62.5%) for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran five times for 15 yards, totaling 290 yards of offense on the day.
WR - Khalil Shakir
Shakir had the first 100-yard receiving performance of his career, catching three passes for 115 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown pass where he out-raced defenders to the end zone.
It was the longest touchdown pass in the entire NFL this season.
RB - Ty Johnson
In his first extensive action of 2023, Johnson had six touches and totaled 58 yards, including three receptions for 47 yards. One of those was a 28-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown on a fourth down play.
RB - James Cook
Cook continued his terrific efficiency, carrying the ball 17 times for 73 yards, for an average of 4.3 yards per-carry. He also caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown, totaling 102 yards of offense on the afternoon.
DE - Leonard Floyd
Floyd continued his impressive season, collecting 2.5 sacks to go along with four total tackles. He also had three quarterback hurries by himself.
DT - Ed Oliver
Oliver was in great position all game long, even when he wasn’t showing it on the stat sheet. He still collected three total tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hurry.
Reggie Gilliam’s hit
On the opening kickoff, Gilliam made a really hard, but absolutely perfect textbook tackle on Xavier Gipson, who fumbled the ball. The Bills recovered at the Jets' 21-yard line to start the game.
That play set the tone for the entire game.
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Third down defense
The Jets went 0-for-11 on third down!
Job on Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson
The Bills defense completely shut down the Jets' two biggest threats and offensive weapons.
Hall had 10 carries for 23 yards, for a minuscule 2.3 yard per-carry average.
Wilson was targeted eight times and caught only two passes - one for four yards and one for five yards. He also was stripped of the ball and fumbled after one of those catches.
Tyler Bass field goals
Bass was a perfect 4-for-4 on his field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder.
ARROW DOWN
Fake punt given up
Just after the two-minute warning, with the the Bills leading 16-0 and the Jets facing a 4th-and-2 at their own 24-yard line, New York pulled off a fake punt and converted an 18-yard pass for a brand new set of downs. They scored a touchdown later that drive.
The Bills' defense/punt return unit looked completely surprised and not ready for it.
WR - Stefon Diggs
Diggs had the ball thrown his way eight times, but only reeled in four catches for 27 yards. Two of those passes he should have been able to bring in, but was unable to.
No targets for Kincaid after halftime
Despite six catches for 46 yards in the first half, Kincaid was not targeted at all in the second half.
No Gabe Davis
Wide receiver Gabe Davis did not have a single pass thrown his way the entire game.
There are always many factors why things happen, but for the team’s No. 2 wideout to not get any targets is not a good thing.
Penalties
The Bills were called for eight penalties totaling 77 yards.
Third down offense
Buffalo's offense converted just 5-of-13 third down opportunities (38.5%).
Fourth down defense
The Jets went for five different fourth downs and converted four of them into first downs.
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