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Bills vs. Jets: The good and bad from Week 18

Daniel Adams
Bills_Jets_Jan.4

Jason Miller, Getty Images

The Bills defeated the Jets in their final game at Highmark Stadium, 35-8.

On offense, Buffalo was led by backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and the reserve running backs. On defense, they played lights out, shutting out the Jets for three quarters, and only allowing a touchdown in the fourth.

With the win, the Bills secured the sixth seed in the AFC, as they will take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville next week in the wild card round.  

The good  

Mitchell Trubisky  

Bills backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky led the way for Buffalo’s offense as Josh Allen left the game after just one snap to extend his consecutive start streak. Trubisky had a great game, carving up New York’s lackluster defense from start to finish. He finished with over 250 passing yards, going 22/29 and throwing four passing touchdowns.  

Trubisky averaged nearly nine yards per throw and finished the game with a 90.8 passer rating. He was poised and patient in the pocket all game, paired with good blocking from the offensive line and good concepts down the field that separated receivers, which led to a great passing attack.  

Ray Davis & Ty Johnson  

Bills running back Ray Davis led Buffalo in rushing, with over 150 rushing yards on 21 carries. Davis looked fast and physical all game, leading the Bills to victory with his great day on the ground behind good blocking from the offensive line. Davis finished the game with a receiving touchdown as well.  

Ty Johnson had a great day for himself, finishing the game with two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. With the receiving touchdown, Johnson earned himself an extra $250,000 in incentives. Johnson added great burst and versatility to the backfield, giving a good balance between the two running backs.  

Dawson Knox  

Bills tight end Dawson Knox had a great game for himself as he had three incentives on the line in Buffalo’s final regular season game, and he hit two of them. Knox earned himself an extra $200,000 by scoring a touchdown and meeting the receiving yardage mark, which was seven yards heading into the game. Knox just missed the reception incentive, where he needed six catches but fell short of that mark finishing with two receptions for 24 receiving yards, ultimately ending his day after the receiving touchdown with the playoffs approaching.  

Gabe Davis 

Bills receiver Gabe Davis was a reliable target for Trubisky all game. Davis finished the game with five receptions on seven targets, leading Buffalo in receptions, for over 40 yards receiving, and tacked on a touchdown. Davis made several tough catches against the Jets secondary, creating space downfield and displaying his physicality, an asset the Bills will need heading into the postseason.  

Defense 

Buffalo’s defense played lights out against the Jets offense, shutting them out of the first three quarters. The Bills defense held rookie quarterback Brady Cook to just 60 passing yards, along with holding the Jets run game to under 70 yards, ultimately only allowing 140 total yards. Sean McDermott’s “bend don’t break” defense was evident in the win, as Buffalo’s defense played stout at the line of scrimmage and stopped the Jets numerous times on fourth down. Buffalo’s defense forced three turnovers on downs, allowing the offense to control the time of possession and claim the victory in the regular season finale.  

The bad  

Kicking concerns  

The Bills have some kicking concerns following Matt Prater’s re-injury against the Jets. After being out for two games with a right quad injury, Prater re-aggravated his quad against New York, which forced Buffalo to be without a kicker for the remainder of the game. The Bills have signed kicker Matthew Wright to the practice squad following Prater’s injury. Head coach Sean McDermott said they will continue to work with Prater hoping he’s available soon. The Bills will have to decide on a kicker come Sunday’s wild card game against the Jaguars.  

Injuries  

The Bills have some injury concerns outside of their kicking situation. Sean McDermott has announced that the team has placed veteran defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on injured reserve, ending his season. Phillips played against the Jets after he missed some time following the ankle injury, now he is out for the remainder of the year.  

Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston is unlikely to play Sunday against the Jaguars in the wild card round due to a right ankle injury suffered in Week 18. Hairston was out for the first seven weeks of the regular season following a right LCL sprain during training camp. Hairston has looked promising when he’s been able to be on the field, but he’s unlikely to go on Sunday. His absence in the wild Card round will affect the Bills secondary against a good Jacksonville passing attack.  

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