ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — After clinching the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a dominant 40-14 victory over the struggling New York Jets, Bills quarterback Josh Allen took a moment to reflect on the numerous doubts and criticisms aimed at Buffalo during the offseason. Although he refrained from saying so directly, it was clear this win felt like vindication for the team.
Allen praised the coaching staff and players, highlighting the strong culture within the team. “We didn’t really pay attention to the preseason notions, but we heard them and we saw them, and we knew what people were saying. But it had no effect on us,” he noted, although it can be debated how much motivation played a role.
The Bills, with a record of 13-3, have managed to overcome significant roster changes, including the departure of six of the eight team captains — notably Stefon Diggs’ trade to Houston. This strong performance secured their fifth consecutive title in the AFC East and marked a franchise-record 13 wins for the fifth time, joining them with previous high seasons since 2020.
Coach Sean McDermott expressed his belief that Allen deserves strong consideration for MVP honors, saying, “I’ve been around this league long enough to know to see MVP every year for many years. What he has done on this team and in this community — I’ve got a hard time believing that someone’s done more.”
In this game, Allen threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another, making history as the NFL’s first player to achieve 40 total touchdowns in five consecutive seasons. He led his team to victory, especially when taking advantage of two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns in just over five minutes during the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense also shone, forcing three takeaways and sacking Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers four times, which included a safety in the second quarter.
The day turned disastrous for the Jets (4-12), as they continued to struggle, potentially locking in their seventh season with fewer than five wins during a playoff drought that’s lasted 14 years — the longest active streak in the league. Rodgers reflected on the team’s issues, stating, “It’s kind of like the season, it just got away from us.” He ended the game with 112 passing yards, two interceptions, and was pulled with the team trailing 40-0.
Despite entering the game just one touchdown away from 500 career TD passes, Rodgers found himself overshadowed by becoming the most sacked quarterback in NFL history with 568 sacks. Tyrod Taylor replaced him, throwing two touchdown passes to give the Jets their only points.
Discipline proved problematic for New York, which has fallen to a 2-9 record since Jeff Ulbrich took over as interim coach, accumulating 16 penalties for 120 yards in this game alone. “It’s frustrating, it’s embarrassing, it’s maddening,” Ulbrich shared about the team’s performance.
Allen had a productive outing, going 16 for 27 with 182 passing yards, including scoring passes to Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman, before being substituted for backup Mitchell Trubisky. Trubisky contributed to the score by throwing a 69-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Shavers, who made his mark as the 13th player on the Bills to score a touchdown pass this season, tying the NFL record.
Buffalo’s defense rebounded after a rough three-game stretch, showcasing a performance that exemplified their capabilities. Defensive player A.J. Epenesa emphasized the need to uphold the high standards expected from the team.
In terms of milestones, Allen’s rushing touchdown marked the 65th of his career, tying him with Bills legend Thurman Thomas. Additionally, James Cook’s rushing touchdown brought him to 15 for the season, just shy of O.J. Simpson’s single-season record set during the 1975 season. Wilson also celebrated as he passed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the third consecutive year, a first for a Jets player and just the tenth in NFL history.
Looking ahead, the Jets will end their season at home against the Miami Dolphins next Sunday, while the Bills are set to face the New England Patriots for their regular-season finale.
