2015 Season: Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets Throwback

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Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) during the first half against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

For their season finale in Orchard Park, the Buffalo Bills won their second meeting against the New York Jets 22-17. Ironically, the same score as their Week 10 meeting.

The Buffalo Bills ended their season on a good note, which included ending one of their rivals’ seasons as well. At 10-5, the New York Jets needed to win their final game in order to clinch a playoff berth. However, the Bills had other plans for the Jets, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2010.

If the Bills’ victory in Week 10 wasn’t enough revenge for Rex Ryan over his former team, then this should most definitely seal the deal. Especially since the Jets were riding a five-game winning streak before the loss.

Although the Bills failed to make the playoffs, they won their last two games and will enter the 2016 season on a 2-game winning streak — which doesn’t seem like it would make any difference, but hey.. It’s more momentum than the Carolina Panthers have headed into next season.

Let’s take a look at how this game played out.

Scoring

Unlike their first 2015 matchup, the Bills got the game started on the scoring end — although it was more than halfway through the first quarter. It was an 18-yard run by Tyrod Taylor that gave the Bills an early 7-0 lead. However, that would be the only first-quarter points put up on the board for either team.

Headed into the second quarter, the Bills looked to keep their momentum alive. After a nice drive down the field, Bills’ running back Karlos Williams finished it off with another rushing touchdown for Buffalo, this one a 2-yard TD. After a missed extra point, the score stood at 13-nil.

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A little over three minutes after Williams’ ran it in, Ryan Fitzpatrick connected for his first touchdown pass of the game. With 9:39 left in the first half, the FitzMagic came alive on a 17-yard pass to Brandon Marshall. With the extra point, the Jets were now only down one possession with nearly two-thirds of the first half still remaining. As the half wore down, the Bills took advantage of a late drive that ended in a 20-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter.

Most of the third quarter was quiet for both teams. In the first 14 minutes of the quarter, the only action that went down was a 39-yard field goal by Randy Bullock (NYJ) two minutes in, followed by a 37-yard field goal from Dan Carpenter with 5 minutes remaining in the quarter. With less than two minutes until the fourth, the Bills were up 19-10. However, Fitzpatrick wanted the game a little closer before the Jets put their entire season on the line for one quarter. With 1:10 left in the third, Eric Decker received a 21-yard pass for a touchdown from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Now only up 19-17, the Bills had to largely rely on their defense to knock the Jets out of the playoffs. They found themselves in the same position as Week 10, hanging by a thread with little time remaining. With no pressure of missing the playoffs, since they already did, the Bills finished strong and didn’t allow New York to score at all in the final 15 minutes of play. With a 42-yard field goal from Carpenter with 3:50 remaining, the Bills secured the win 22-17.

Key Statistics

Buffalo

Tyrod Taylor (BUF) – 18/28, 182 yards, 10 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD

Karlos Williams (BUF) – 6 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD

Sammy Watkins (BUF) – 11 receptions, 136 yards

Sacks: Mario Williams (1)

Interceptions: AJ Tarpley (1), Manny Lawson (1) and Leodis McKelvin (1).

*The Bills’ three interceptions came in the Jets’ final three possessions of the game.*

New York

Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) – 16/37, 181 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT, 2 rushes, 12 yards

Chris Ivory (NYJ) – 6 carries, 81 yards

Brandon Marshall (NYJ) – 8 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD

Eric Decker (NYJ) – 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD

Sacks: David Harris (2)

*Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker both scored in each meeting between the Bills and Jets last season.*

Lastly, let’s take a look at what to expect when these two teams meet again in 2016… And again.

Next: 2016 Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

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