Refocused, NFL Week 14: New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 23 | NFL Analysis | Pro Football Focus
FINAL SCORE
New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 23
Josh Allen had yet another strong game rushing the football, busting out for long gains on multiple occasions with the Jets’ defense providing few answers as to how to stop him. Throwing the ball, though, was a bit of a different story. Allen wasn’t aided much by his receivers – who dropped a handful of catchable balls during the afternoon – but he made too many poor decisions that resulted in turnover-worthy plays.
With the exception of Allen, the Bills couldn’t get anything going on the ground against the Jets.
LeSean McCoy was forced out of the game early, and the combination of
Chris Ivory,
Marcus Murphy and
Isaiah McKenzie – with the exception of McKenzie’s touchdown run – spent the rest of the day meeting Jets defenders at the line of scrimmage.
Tre’Davious White has been one of the best corners in the league this year, but this was not one of his better games. He struggled to stay with the speedy Anderson and gave up a number of big plays throughout the game while also adding a defensive holding penalty.
Linebacker
Matt Milano had a strong game until an injury on the final drive saw him carted off the field. He made a number of run stops, using good instincts to avoid and defeat blockers.
Keys to the Game
New York
Darnold put it together when it mattered most, posting two big-time throws in the fourth quarter to spur the comeback.
Buffalo
Allen did enough with his legs to give Buffalo a chance to win at the end, but his inconsistency as a passer ultimately left the Bills short in pursuit of the win.
What we learned from Sunday's Week 14 games
Here's what we learned from Sunday's Week 14 slate of games:
New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 23
1. Sunday presented us with a chance to see the second and third quarterbacks selected in the 2018 draft, and predictably, it provided highs and lows.
Sam Darnold threw an ugly interception trying to do too much in the second half.
Josh Allen threw an even more unattractive interception on first-and-25 when he very easily could've just thrown it away (it was truly inexplicable). But they both did things well, too, including Allen rushing for over 100 yards and Darnold leading a game-winning touchdown drive that saw him run inside the 1-yard line. The next play,
Elijah McGuire scored the go-ahead touchdown.
That drive -- and the
Jets' overall comeback effort in the fourth quarter -- was punctuated by Darnold throws reminiscent of his best days at USC. Darnold put a beautiful ball on
Robby Anderson down the sideline to get the
Jets down to the Buffalo 5. And earlier, it was his scrambling ability that produced a touchdown pass to Anderson to tie the game at 20-20. Darnold was missed during his three-game absence, and games like Sunday -- mistakes included and accepted -- are why New York (4-9) remains high on his future.
2. In the end, it was Allen's mistake that did the
Bills (4-9) in. Desperate for yards, Allen threw a pass down the sideline and missed his intended receiver, instead landing in the hands of
Trumaine Johnson. The warts are evident in Allen, and he makes up for it by running for good chunks of yards. But that model isn't sustainable, and he's already suffered an injury once earlier this season. After the game, ESPN's Mike Rodak tweeted about how
Allen looked beaten, with a bloody elbow and a slow gait. This isn't how you want your franchise quarterback to look.
3. Speaking of injuries, this game wasn't merciful.
LeSean McCoy left in the first half with a hamstring injury and returned to the sideline in a sweatsuit.
Chris Ivory left late in the game, leaving the full running back responsibility to
Marcus Murphy. And perhaps largest of all, very promising middle linebacker
Matt Milano, who has played like the heart of a good Buffalo defense, was carted off with an injured that looked to be serious. On the other sideline, Darnold left early with a foot injury, though he returned to lead the
Jets to a win and potentially save his coach's job (or delay his firing). That reinsertion raised an eyebrow, seeing as the
Jets aren't playing for much other than Bowles' (and their own) employment.
-- Nick Shook