Top 3 Things We Learned

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Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Jets | Week 17

Dec 29, 2024 at 08:56 PM

Alec White

Content Coordinator

The Buffalo Bills (13-3) wrapped up their final regular season home game with a convincing 40-14 win over the Jets.

The Bills have scored 40+ points in three of their last four games and set the franchise record for most points scored in a season (509). Buffalo also finishes the regular season 8-0 at home.

Here's what we learned from Bills vs. Jets:

1 — Defense feasts with three takeaways, four sacks

Buffalo's defense got after Aaron Rodgers and the Jets all day. Their first eight drives ended in either a turnover on downs, punt, safety, or turnover.

Up 7-0 in the first quarter, Bills punter Sam Martin pinned the Jets at their own 5-yard line. A false start and a -1 yard rush by RB Braelon Allen backed the Jets up to their own 1-yard line.

Rodgers lined up in shotgun in his own endzone and DE AJ Epenesa blitzed off the edge, practically untouched on his way to sack the QB for a safety.

"We showed a look where we had more people showing blitz than they had to block it," Epenesa said. "They were obviously backed up, so he had only a few, limited options. I was able to get in there and make a big play, spark the defense and get us rolling."

That sparked things for the rest of the Bills defense and an avalanche of takeaways and sacks ensued over the next two quarters. DE Greg Rousseau and DT DaQuan Jones combined for a sack, helping Rousseau tie his career-high (8). LB Von Miller, DT Ed Oliver also had sacks on the day.

"I feel like we did a good job of pocket collapse and us just getting after Rodgers, and then the coverage did a great job, too, of breaking on footballs," Rousseau said.

CB Christian Benford and DT Jordan Phillips had INTs, both in completely different fashions. Rousseau tipped a pass at the line and Phillips made a heads up play to keep his eyes up and ran underneath the ball after it was knocked up in the air.

"Nice, soft hands, too. It was so supple and just right in his hands," Oliver said of the big man INT.

In the second half, Benford jumped in front of a pass and returned it 24 yards. Rodgers shoved Benford out of bounds late which drew a 15-yard penalty. Five plays later, the Bills scored on an incredible 30-yard catch by Amari Cooper.

"I think us as a back seven did a good job disguising, and because we disguised and made (Rodgers) blink a little bit and gave our rush an opportunity to get back there," CB Taron Johnson said.

Buffalo's dominant defense capped off the day with a sack fumble by Oliver and a recovery by Milano. McDermott awarded Milano with a game ball in the team's post game victory speech.

"Milano almost had himself a touchdown, but made a great recovery and kept playing the game there," McDermott said.

Rodgers, who needed one touchdown pass to get to 500 in his career, was subbed out late in the fourth quarter for former Bills QB Tyrod Taylor. Rodgers ended his day 12 of 18 passing, 112 yards, two INTs and was sacked four times.

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2 — Allen puts final touches on MVP campaign

It's been another stellar season from Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Sunday's 3-TD performance may have just been enough for the star QB to earn his first MVP award.

Allen reached his fifth consecutive season with 40+ total touchdowns, becoming the first player in NFL history to do so.

"At the end of the day, Josh Allen is the MVP. I've been around this league long enough to know to see MVP every year for many years. And what he has done on this team and this organization in this community -- and no offense to anybody else -- but I've got a hard time believing that someone's done more," head coach Sean McDermott said.

The Bills elected to receive the opening kickoff Sunday and marched down the field in 12-plays. Allen threw for 56 yards and put a stamp on the drive with his 65th career rushing TD, tying Thurman Thomas for the most rushing scores in franchise history.

Allen saved his best for last as he threw two touchdowns in the second half, both coming on highlight-reel catches from his receivers Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman.

Up 12-0 at 5:19 in the third quarter, Allen threw a perfectly-placed, high arcing ball down the sideline to Cooper who high-pointed the football and came down in the end zone for an unbelievable snag.

"Josh does a great job in trusting his guys to go make the play. He knows exactly the type of ball to throw in those situations," Cooper said.

Buffalo's defense continued to find ways to takeaways the ball, giving the offense short field to work with on multiple occasions. Allen and the offense obliged and took advantage.

The Bills QB delivered another signature sideline touchdown toss at the end of the third quarter, with a throw across his body to WR Keon Coleman. The rookie leapt up high in the air to snag the ball in the end zone.

"That's the reason why we drafted Zero, to go up and make plays like that and he made a heck of a play," Allen said.

Allen will surely be in the mix for the MVP award, along with QB Lamar Jackson and RB Saquon Barkley.

"To hear the MVP chants. Yeah, he definitely deserves it, for sure. He's been putting it together. I think he put a stamp on it today, for sure," Cooper said.

3 — How earning the 2-seed affects Buffalo's Week 18 plans

The Bills clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC Playoffs with today's win, ensuring themselves of at least two home games should they win in the Wild Card Round. Buffalo won't know its opening round opponent until Week 18 has concluded, but will face whoever is the No. 7 seed.

"Very important," Allen said of the top-2 seed. "Not sure what next week brings, but it gives us an option to get certain guys rest, and we'll just kind of go with the flow with whatever Beane and McDermott are telling our guys to do."

With next week's season finale at New England not having an impact on Buffalo's seed, that means the Bills can choose to rest certain starters before entering the playoffs.

"It does give us options. And I think that's the key thing for us," McDermott said. "We'll see where it takes us. We've got some guys who are hurting a little bit right now and might need some rest, but we'll see."

McDermott said he'll meet with owner Terry Pegula and GM Brandon Beane this week before making a final decision on who plays and who sits in Week 18.