Jets blow playoff chance with loss to Buffalo

The Bills spoiled the New York Jets' playoff hopes and Buffalo coach Rex Ryan got his revenge against his former team. Ryan's high-priced and much-criticized defense closed the game by intercepting

News 12 Staff

Jan 4, 2016, 2:27 AM

Updated 3,042 days ago

Share:

Jets blow playoff chance with loss to Buffalo
The Bills spoiled the New York Jets' playoff hopes and Buffalo coach Rex Ryan got his revenge against his former team.
Ryan's high-priced and much-criticized defense closed the game by intercepting Ryan Fitzpatrick on each of New York's final three possessions to secure a 22-17 win.
The Jets (10-6) were then knocked out of playoff contention when the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) beat Cleveland 28-12 shortly after the final whistle sounded in Buffalo.
New York had a five-game winning streak snapped, and Fitzpatrick ran out of his so-called "FitzMagic" in his first visit to Orchard Park since being cut by the Bills for salary cap reasons following the 2012 season.
Fitzpatrick started the fourth quarter having his pass intended for Eric Decker in the end zone intercepted by Leodis McKelvin. Then, on the first snap following the 2-minute warning, Fitzpatrick was hit by Marcell Dareus just as got the ball off. The pass was underthrown and easily intercepted by Manny Lawson.
The game was decided when Fitzpatrick's side-arm pass over the middle was intercepted by linebacker A.J. Tarpley with 11 seconds remaining.
Fitzpatrick finished 16 of 37 for 181 yards and touchdown passes - setting a franchise record with 31 this season - to his two favorite receivers Decker and Brandon Marshall.
After the game Fitzpatrick walked off the field and headed up the tunnel by himself.
Ryan, meanwhile, walked onto the field and raised his hands to the sky forming a "V'' for victory. The Bills swept the season series against their AFC East rivals with both wins decided by the exact same score.
It was a stunning result given the Bills (8-8) had nothing to play for after having already been eliminated from playoff contention for a 16th straight season - the NFL's longest active drought. Buffalo's lineup was also severely depleted by injuries.
Buffalo opened the game minus running back LeSean McCoy, tight end Charles Clay and receiver Robert Woods. Buffalo's defense was also missing several regulars, including cornerback Stephon Gilmore and linebacker Nigel Bradham.
The Bills then lost rookie starting cornerback Ronald Darby to a groin injury in the fourth quarter. And running back Karlos Williams didn't return after hurting his knee while scoring on a 2-yard run.
Tyrod Taylor went 18 of 28 for 182 yards passing, and also scored on an 18-yard run.
Buffalo never trailed in a game in which it opened a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter.


___

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
 
 


More from News 12
1:51
SUNY Purchase administrators monitoring campus following encampment arrests

SUNY Purchase administrators monitoring campus following encampment arrests

1:46
Afternoon showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; batches of light rain for Sunday

Afternoon showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; batches of light rain for Sunday

0:43
Westchester County police officer dies in accident at home

Westchester County police officer dies in accident at home

0:53
New Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman inaugurated at Yorktown Town Hall

New Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman inaugurated at Yorktown Town Hall

0:28
Tarrytown Catholic school to close permanently

Tarrytown Catholic school to close permanently

0:21
$39 flights connect Westchester County and Raleigh-Durham

$39 flights connect Westchester County and Raleigh-Durham

0:36
Animated 'X-Men' TV series superhero mansion brought to life in Westchester County

Animated 'X-Men' TV series superhero mansion brought to life in Westchester County

2:07
SUNY Purchase students 'scared to go outside' after college police raid encampment

SUNY Purchase students 'scared to go outside' after college police raid encampment

1:39
Police: 133 arrested during growing pro-Palestinian demonstration on SUNY New Paltz campus

Police: 133 arrested during growing pro-Palestinian demonstration on SUNY New Paltz campus

0:46
Driver crashes into Yonkers dry cleaning business

Driver crashes into Yonkers dry cleaning business

0:20
Police corral horse on the loose in New Rochelle

Police corral horse on the loose in New Rochelle

0:47
State officials: $11M in funding allocated for flood mitigation projects in Mamaroneck

State officials: $11M in funding allocated for flood mitigation projects in Mamaroneck

0:58
Report: More people going hungry in NY despite economic growth

Report: More people going hungry in NY despite economic growth

0:27
Westchester's NCADD honors News 12's Jonathan Gordon with 'humanitarian award'

Westchester's NCADD honors News 12's Jonathan Gordon with 'humanitarian award'

1:01
Monticello police sergeant alleges retaliation for working with prosecutors to arrest ex-officer

Monticello police sergeant alleges retaliation for working with prosecutors to arrest ex-officer

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

0:41
Police: Child sustained minor injuries when struck by on-duty Monticello police officer

Police: Child sustained minor injuries when struck by on-duty Monticello police officer

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

0:23
Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

0:28
SPCA Westchester launches first mobile adoption unit

SPCA Westchester launches first mobile adoption unit