Jets continue to sink to new level of embarrassment following 40-14 loss to Bills

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Dec 29, 2024

Published in Football

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Jets were the preseason favorites to win the AFC East

But the real kings of the division swept the Jets for the first time since 2021.

Bills (13-3) embarrassed the Jets (4-12) 40-14 behind three defensive turnovers and five sacks.

In addition to being sacked four times, once for a safety, Aaron Rodgers completed 12-of-18 passes for 112 yards and two interceptions. In the fourth quarter, Tyrod Taylor eventually replaced him, who finished 6-for-8 for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Garrett Wilson finished with seven catches for 66 yards and a touchdown reception.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen continued his MVP campaign with another solid game. He completed 16-of-27 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns before Mitchell Trubisky replaced him with a significant lead.

Sunday’s game against the Bills was a microcosm of the Jets’ season. Penalties, mistakes, and poor decisions plagued the Jets.

Gang Green had two attempts for points. In the first quarter, Rodgers threw a poor incompletion to Kenny Yeboah instead of running for the first down on 3rd and 1. On the next play, Braelon Allen was stuffed for no gain on 4th and 1, and the Jets turned the ball over on downs.

Then, during the second quarter, the Jets reached the 12-yard line when Rodgers’ pass to Davante Adams on a screen was tipped by Greg Rousseau and intercepted by Jordan Phillips. It was Rodgers’ first interception since Dec. 1 against Seattle.

Gang Green committed six penalties for 42 yards in just the first half against the Bills. They finished with 14 penalties for 120 yards.

Penalties have been an issue for the Jets this season. Entering Sunday’s game, they ranked fourth (115) in infractions.

In addition to the first-half penalties, in the third quarter, the Jets were going for it on 4th and 5 at the Bills’ 37 but were called for a delay of game when Rodgers didn’t snap the ball in time. After the penalty, the Jets eventually had to punt on 4th and 10.

The hits just kept coming for the Jets during the second half. When they were on the Bills’ 29, Rodgers’ pass to Allen Lazard was intercepted by Christian Benford, which was his second of the day. As Benforranng out of bounds, Rodgers pushed him and received an unnecessary roughness penalty putting them on the Bills on the Jets’ 37-yard-line.

That eventually set up Allen’s 30-yard bomb to Amari Cooper, which put the Bills up 19-0.

The Bills got the ball and scored on their opening drive. Mack Hollins’ multiple catches and the Jets’ three defensive penalties helped set up Allen’s one-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown, which put the Bills up 7-0 early in the game.

The game remained 7-0 until 2:31 left in the second quarter. A.J. Epenesa sacked Rodgers in the end zone, resulting in a safety, increasing Buffalo’s lead to 9-0.

Tyler Bass’ 39-yard field goal as the clock expired put the Bills up 12-0 at halftime.

With 5:13 left in the third quarter, Buffalo scored their second touchdown of the day. Allen found Cooper for a 30-yard touchdown pass, which put the Bills up 19-0.

The Bills onslaught continued after James Cook scored a one-yard touchdown, putting them up 26-0. Then, on the next drive, Garrett Wilson fumbled the ball at the Jets’ 21 and Bills linebacker Matt Milano recovered the ball on the 15. That eventually led to an Allen 14-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman, increasing their lead to 33-0.

The embarrassment continued after Allen left the game. Trubisky completed a 69-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Shavers, extending the Bills lead to 40-0.

The Jets finally got on the board after Taylor found Wilson for a nine-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion made the score 40-8 late in the fourth quarter.

The Jets’ disappointing 2024 campaign will end in Week 18. They will host the Dolphins, who defeated them in overtime on Dec. 8 to eliminate them from playoff contention.