Jets Choke, Lose to Bills 22-17, Miss the Playoffs

Now that the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns, setting the playoff field and giving the Steelers their 10th playoff appearance in the past 15 years, it’s time for the $64,000 question: Who do you like in the AFC?

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. But with Powell sidelined with an injury, the Jets couldn’t find another release valve to take pressure off of the big two.

“I’ve got a lot of friends over there, and I want them to be successful, but not at my expense”, Ryan said.

Fans thought some games, like the one against the Jags, were sure wins but they ended up as notches in the loss column, creating frustration for many. In retrospect, Ryan’s Jets’ defenses usually got the better of Fitzpatrick’s Buffalo teams, too.

He advanced his team 25 yards, but on a third down at midfield, Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus clobbered Fitzpatrick as he threw.

When the regret of Sunday fades, the Jets might realize their progress.

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He rebounded, going three-for-three on field goal attempts through the rest of the game.

Just one very big problem: Bills cornerback Leodis Mc Kelvin knew it was coming, having successfully made the adjustment from the previous time the Bills had failed to defend the play against Washington. Fitzpatrick accepted the opportunity with grace, humility and a gritty series of performances good enough for a 10-5 record and a win-and-in chance Sunday afternoon.

Rex Ryan lived and died by the mostly hollow ultimatums made during his stint as coach of the Jets. The Saints (7-9) avoided giving coach Sean Payton his first 10-loss season.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes, Kansas City sacked Derek Carr six times, and the Chiefs collected a franchise-best 10th straight win.

Other than Tom Brady, the other quarterbacks entering the playoffs who were starters at the seasons beginning in the AFC are Alex Smith and Brian Hoyer.

Two of them. Against his former team.

Fitzpatrick had the type of day that Bills fans became accustomed to, as he completed only 16 of his 37 passes for 181 yards and threw two touchdowns to go along with the three interceptions.

The win doesn’t change how I feel about the season nor does it change what I think the Bills approach to the off season should be(a future column) but at least I was able to enjoy three hours of Bills football one more time before another season came to a close. “It’s not because of where it was, but because of what was at stake”.

Brilliant Steelers receiver Antonio Brown finished with 187 yards on 13 grabs and he hauled in a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter, before Markus Wheaton scored on an eight-yard catch in the fourth. It setup an 18-yard rushing touchdown for Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The Bills defeated the Jets, 22-17. Fitzpatrick’s first interception, also happened to be his first red-zone interception of the season. Bills linebacker A.J. Tarpley intercepted.

Buffalo opened the game minus running back LeSean McCoy, tight end Charles Clay and receiver Robert Woods. “We were on a nice little run there, and we just couldn’t finish it off”.

The Bills counteracted the Jets strength on the d-line by going with quick passes and misdirection plays.

“It’s such a mixture of emotions at that moment”, Wood said.