New York Jets: Plan to ground Buffalo Bills' run game a success

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In the New York Jets' first game against the Bills this season, a 21-12 road loss on opening day, Buffalo's LeSean McCoy ran roughshod for 110 yards on 22 carries.

So defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson offered a challenge to the Jets' front seven the night before the rematch on Thursday at MetLife Stadium -- keep "Shady" to less than 70 yards.

Mission accomplished, and then some.

McCoy had only 25 yards on 12 carries, and the Jets also kept the mobile Tyrod Taylor contained to 35 yards on six scrambles in New York's 34-21 win. The Jets had nine tackles for a loss, including a season-high seven sacks, and forced three fumbles.

"I just think it was due season," said Jets linebacker Demario Davis, who had a sack and a fumble recovery and was used as a spy all game on Taylor. "We've been getting just close enough, and they get that ball out at the last minute, but I think tonight, we were able to harass the quarterback in a major way.

"We had to focus on taking No. 5 (Taylor) out of the game and No. 25 (McCoy) out of the game."

The Bills came into the night an NFL-best plus-14 in turnover margin and the Jets were minus-1, but New York didn't turn it over for the first time all season. Taylor lost a fumble for the first time this season, as did Bills receiver Jordan Matthews. Tight end Nick O'Leary also lost a fumble on an odd play on which he fell down, got up because he wasn't touched, and then was stripped by Marcus Maye.

"That was big for us. Turnovers win games," Jets coach Todd Bowles said. "Tyrod doesn't turn the ball over very much, so it was big for us to come out and win the turnover battle."

--Despite the good feeling for the Jets, their poor play in the fourth quarter actually continued, as the Bills outscored them 14-10 in the final 15 minutes. It just didn't matter, because the Bills' points came after the Jets grabbed a 34-7 lead.

After Taylor threw a touchdown pass with 4:10 left, the Bills recovered an onside kick and went down and scored again to make it 34-21 with 2:29 to play.

The Jets have been outscored 90-30 in the fourth quarter of their nine games.

When asked if this game was the Jets' most complete performance of the season, Bowles said: "Not until the end. The last two minutes, it wasn't that complete, but for the most part, yes."