Last Updated on November 6, 2011 6:21 pm by admin
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – With a chance to make a loud statement, the Buffalo Bills were barely audible.
Buffalo’s high-powered offense was throttled by the New York Jets in a 27-11 loss that put the Jets firmly back in the AFC East playoff race, and sent the Bills to their first loss at home this season.
“We were really excited about this game, and ready to show our division that we’re here and we’re a better team than we’ve been in the past,” Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “Unfortunately we didn’t show it.”
The Bills (5-3) blew a chance to open the season with six wins in their first eight games for the first time since 1993, and if they want to snap an 11-year playoff drought they still have plenty of work to do. Buffalo will play four of its next five on the road, including three straight away from home and a rematch with the Jets (5-3) in three weeks.
“They came in and played well, and we didn’t,” Bills running back Fred Jackson said. “We’ve got to get back to the drawing board.”
The Jets forced three turnovers, including Jim Leonhard’s recovery of Jackson’s fumble that set up LaDainian Tomlinson’s 1-yard plunge early in the second half. Mark Sanchez then put the Jets up 20-3 by hitting Santonio Holmes for an 8-yard touchdown.
Sanchez went 20 of 28 for 230 yards to overcome a pair of first-half turnovers: an interception and fumble. Fullback John Conner also scored on a 1-yard plunge, while Nick Folk hit two of three field-goal attempts, including a 50-yarder into the wind.
It was a clinic put on by a Jets team that won its third straight after a three-game skid.
“It’s huge to be back in the mix,” said New York linebacker David Harris, who had an interception in the second quarter. “Next week we’ve got New England coming to our home field, and everybody knows what those games mean for us.”
Led by Shonn Greene’s 76 yards, New York gained 126 on the ground, the team’s second-best total of the season. Greene did not finish the game after sustaining a head injury in the fourth quarter.
Coming out of their bye week, the Jets moved into a tie with the Bills. It was also New York’s first road win of the season after three straight losses. And it came against an opponent that opened 4-0 at “home,” including last week’s 23-0 win over Washington at Toronto.
The Jets’ defense held firm the entire game, and essentially secured the victory in the first minute of the fourth quarter. With Buffalo down 20-3 and threatening, Bart Scott and Calvin Pace combined to stuff Jackson for no gain on fourth-and-inches at the New York 15.
The Jets responded with a 14-play, 84-yard drive capped by Conner’s TD.
Pace also had an interception, while Sione Pouha forced Jackson’s fumble that set up Tomlinson’s score to put the Jets ahead 13-0 in the third quarter.
The Jets contained an offense among the NFL’s most prolific so far this season. Buffalo entered the game averaging 30.1 points, and had scored 20 or more points in each game.
Jackson, averaging 153 yards from scrimmage, was limited to 82 yards rushing and 38 receiving. He also fumbled for the first time this season.
Fitzpatrick finished 15 of 31 for 191 yards and two interceptions. He produced a mean-nothing 7-yard touchdown pass to David Nelson with 3:14 left, and the quarterback then ran the ball in for a 2-point conversion.
Otherwise, the Bills looked like their former popgun selves against what remains a dominant Jets defense. Through their first eight possessions, the Bills had as many turnovers as first downs – three. The Bills also managed just 73 net yards in the first half.
“Couldn’t get much going,” Fitzpatrick said. “They kept us frustrated all day, and didn’t allow us to do what we’ve been doing all year.”
The loss came as a huge letdown for a pompom waving, passionate fan-base that filled Ralph Wilson Stadium. Many of the fans wore white to match their team wearing all white uniforms for the first time since 1986.
Bills Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson made his first appearance of the season at Orchard Park after he missed his team’s first four home games while recovering from a broken hip.