In what ultimately amounted to a pretty meaningless game, the Jets rested most of their starters and were still able to blow out the Bills for the second time this season.
The Jets dominated the battle in the trenches and took advantage of six turnovers from a Bills team that looked like it couldn't wait for the season to end. They now head to Indianapolis for a postseason rematch on Saturday night.
Although this game probably means more in terms of next season than next week, it will be interesting to see if any of the Jets' little-used reserves who flashed during this game will get a chance to contribute in the postseason.
Jets: Three performances of note
Following two strong performances against the Steelers and Bears, defensive back Marquice Cole (+3.4) was given the opportunity to start for the first time in his career and responded with a big game. Cole picked off two Brian Brohm passes, returning one for a 35-yard score, and broke up one other pass. In all, he gave up four catches for 42 yards on nine targets. Cole is already a key contributor on special teams, but may now have earned some postseason playing time on defense.
One of the few starters who remained in the lineup into the fourth quarter was Calvin Pace (+3.9), who responded with his best grade of the year. Pace never seemed to have fully recovered from the foot problem that caused him to miss the first four games of the year and hadn't registered multiple pressures in a game since Week 5. However, on Sunday, he was everywhere, with a sack, an interception, two batted down passes and two QB hits — both of which led directly to interceptions, including Cole's pick-six. Pace had a strong 2009 postseason (17 pressures and two QB hits in three games), so the Jets will hope he is peaking just in time to emulate this.
On offense, the Jets controlled the game, running the ball 50 times for over 275 yards. This effort was spearheaded by backup center Robert Turner (+3.2), who took over from Nick Mangold at the end of the first quarter. The versatile Turner, with a young guard either side of him, helped neutralize the usually dominant Kyle Williams and showcased the athletic ability that has some believing he could be a future NFL starter.
Bills: Three performances of note
On a day when not many of his teammates showed up, Chris Kelsay (+4.1) finished the season on a high note. Kelsay had a team-high six stops and added a QB hit while only missing one snap. He had a much stronger finish to the season once the Bills went away from exclusively playing a 3-4 defense and employed him in coverage a lot less.
Someone who didn't have a strong finish to the season was Marcus Stroud (-1.8). The 32-year-old seemed to struggle all day to get off blocks and was held to two tackles and one pressure in 50 snaps. Although he is under contract for two more years, it seems unlikely that the Bills will retain his services next season.
On offense, Jonathan Stupar (-1.7) was as much of a culprit as anyone. He played more than Buffalo's other two tight ends combined, but still had one catch for 7 yards and didn't have much of an impact as a run-blocker. Where he really let the team down, though, was as a pass-blocker, giving up a hit and two pressures on just 10 pass-rush attempts. This was uncharacteristic for Stupar, who, entering the game, had given up one pressure since Week 5.
Rookie report
This is usually a very short paragraph for the Jets, who have seen hardly any production from their rookies all season. Not this week, though. First-round pick Kyle Wilson (+2.4) started at cornerback and gave up one catch for 7 yards. … Vladimir Ducasse (+2.7) filled in for Brandon Moore at right guard for most of the game and acquitted himself well, especially as a run-blocker. … Joe McKnight (+1.0) saw his first extended action at running back and exploded for 158 yards on 32 carries. … Fullback John Conner (-1.6) got into the act, rushing for 44 yards and a score, although his blocking remains inconsistent. … Undrafted rookie TE Jeff Cumberland (-2.4) caught his first NFL pass, but struggled as a run-blocker. … Isaiah Trufant also made his NFL debut, at 28 years old.
Local product Naaman Roosevelt (-1.7) saw plenty of action at wide receiver, but was held to three catches for 30 yards. … C.J. Spiller had 5 rushing yards, but racked up 125 yards returning kicks. … Arthur Moats (-0.6) struggled against the run, but recorded two hits and a pressure. … Defensive tackle Torell Troup (-2.0) also struggled against the run and fellow rookie lineman Alex Carrington did not make much of an impression, either. … Quarterback Levi Brown saw five snaps in his NFL debut and had two completions and an interception.
Random notes
The Jets rushed for 549 yards against the Bills in their two meetings this season. … Mark Sanchez started the game for the Jets, but did not throw a pass. … The highest offensive grade for the Bills belonged to backup tackle Mansfield Wrotto (+0.6).
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