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New York Jets: Report Card vs. Buffalo Bills in Week 9

By Stephen Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins #48 of the New York Jets celebrates his sack with teammate defensive end Leonard Williams #92 against quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 (not pictured) of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins #48 of the New York Jets celebrates his sack with teammate defensive end Leonard Williams #92 against quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 (not pictured) of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins #48 of the New York Jets celebrates his sack with teammate defensive end Leonard Williams #92 against quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 (not pictured) of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins #48 of the New York Jets celebrates his sack with teammate defensive end Leonard Williams #92 against quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 (not pictured) of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The New York Jets had their premier performance of the season in Week 9 with a 34-21 thrasing of the Buffalo Bills. Here is a look at the Jets report card.

With their season on the line, the New York Jets came through with their finest performance of the 2017 season Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium.

Gang Green parlayed two touchdown passes from Josh McCown and a suffocating defense to crush the Bills, 34-21. Don’t let the final score fool you. The Bills scored a pair of touchdowns in garbage time in the fourth quarter. The Jets totally dominated this contest from start to finish.

New York is now 4-5 while Buffalo dipped to 5-3.

The Jets could ill afford a loss in this AFC East tilt – a defeat would have ended any playoff aspirations that they might have had. They entered the contest as 3.5 point underdogs. With so much on the line, Gang Green was truly sensational.

Let’s take a look at their best report card of the season to date.

Offense

McCown entered the game in second place in completion percentage in the NFL and he was his usual steady self with 14 completions in 20 attempts for 140 yards and a touchdown. Once again he did not turn the ball over and hooked up with Robby Anderson (4 receptions for 48 yards) on a beautiful 25-yard touchdown pass to give New York a 17-7 lead in the third quarter. The 38-year-old signal-caller even added a 10-yard scramble for a TD to give the winners the early lead.

The big story of this game was that the Jets rediscovered their ground game. They rolled up 194 yards, led by the rejuvenated Matt Forte. The 31-year old halfback had a season-high 77 yards and a pair of scores, while Bilal Powell chipped in with 74 yards on just nine carries. Buffalo had entered the game ranked third in the NFL in rushing defense (80 YPG). So much for that ranking.

New York’s offensive line enjoyed its best performance of the season. They were stellar at the point of attack and opened up some gaping holes for Forte and Powell. They looked like the Jets from the late 2000s.

Head coach Todd Bowles was very pleased with his team’s powerful rushing effort, as per espn.com:

"“We did a good job staying with the run game,” Bowles said. “We kept it moving. … We were consistent. It wore them down and kept them on the field a little longer.”"

If the Jets can follow this blueprint the rest of the way, they will be a very difficult team to deal with over their final seven games.

Grade: B+

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