Bills fall to 6-2 in divisional matchup loss to the Jets

The Bills came into week nine of the football season on a hot streak after winning four consecutive games. The team looked to face the New York Jets, who Buffalo has dominated over the past few seasons, beating them in each of their previous four matchups. However, this is not a typical Jets team—they are one of the biggest surprises of the 2022 season and sat at 5-3, previously holding a four-game winning streak of their own. 

Buffalo was granted a lucky start to this game, opening their first drive at their own 45 after a bad kickoff. On the first play, quarterback Josh Allen found star wide receiver Stefon Diggs for a 42-yard gain to bring the team to the Jets’ 13-yard line. The drive was cut short, however, as Allen made a bad decision and threw a ball intended for tight end Dawson Knox that was intercepted by the Jets.

New York was unable to get anything going and ended their first drive with a punt following a three-and-out, giving the ball right back to the Bills. Short completions were good enough to move the ball for Buffalo before Allen fumbled and recovered the ball in the red zone. Allen ran the ball toward the goal line but was stopped one-yard short. A follow-up one-yard rush by the quarterback drove the ball in and gave the Bills the early lead.

A quick drive by the Jets, which was aided by some defensive penalties from Buffalo, resulted in a 53-yard field goal to bring the team within four. On third-and-two later in the second quarter, Allen was able to find his way through the gap and past deep defenders for a long 36-yard rushing touchdown. Allen’s rush brought Buffalo’s lead to 14-3. 

The Jets responded with a long 13-play drive that continued after they went for a first down on fourth-and-one at Buffalo’s 32-yard line and completed a five-yard pass. The team was able to score on a five-yard rush with 32 seconds left in the second quarter. A missed Tyler Bass field goal ended the first half on a sour note for the Bills, as they went into the locker room up 14-10. 

A very long eight-minute drive that opened up the second half for the Jets was almost cut short as a pass from quarterback Zach Wilson was nearly intercepted by Bills’ linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. A successful fake punt continued the possession for New York before linebacker Von Miller was able to sack Wilson and force a fumble which was recovered by the Bills. 

Buffalo was unable to take advantage of the turnover and, after a Jets’ sack on Allen, an interception by rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner ended the drive for the Bills. New York started their drive in the red zone with another play that was close to resulting in a turnover but held on before a Zach Wilson scramble led to a passing touchdown and the team’s first lead of the game. 

The following Bills drive led to the team settling for a 51-yard field goal to tie the game before the Jets' final drive of the game started at their own four-yard line. Their running back committee tore through the Bills’ defense to bring the team all the way to the red zone. New York was stopped at Buffalo’s ten-yard line after a sack by safety Damar Hamlin and kicked a 28-yard field goal to put them ahead. 

The Bills started their final drive off well, but a 26-yard pass from Allen to Diggs along the sideline was brought back after an offensive holding call. The team was unable to muster anything and lost the game after an unsuccessful 70-yard pass from Allen downfield to wide receiver Gabe Davis.

The 20-17 loss brought the Bills’ record in their AFC East division to 0-2, setting them up for a challenge later in the season. They will look to get back on track next week as they face a 7-1 Minnesota Vikings in a challenging matchup with a team who has won six games in a row on Sunday Nov. 13.