The Buffalo Bills knew this would be their last game of this NFL season as they were eliminated from the playoffs weeks ago. The New York Jets had a chance to keep playing, but they had to win to make it happen.
The game started out slow for both teams. There was little to no offense on both sides until well into the first quarter. It wasn't until a bad Ryan Quigley punt gave the Bills good field position with less than seven minutes left in the first quarter that the first points were scored. It setup an 18-yard rushing touchdown for Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Dan Carpenter nailed the extra point making it 7-0 Buffalo.
Buffalo got a gift at the start of the second quarter when a fight broke out and the Jets received a penalty. It moved the Bills closer to the end zone ultimately resulting in a short touchdown run for Karlos Williams to put the Bills up 13-0 early on in the second quarter.
The Jets had a chance to score after the Bills touchdown, thanks to a big run by running back Chris Ivory. However, kicker Randy Bullock missed a 39-yard field goal. In the next series for the Jets, they went 60 yards in three plays which ended in a Brandon Marshall 17-yard touchdown reception. The extra point narrowed the Bills lead to 13-7. Carpenter added a field goal on the following possession to make it 16-7 Buffalo heading into half.
Buffalo had the ball to start the second half but lost it after a Mike Gillislee fumble. The Jets took over but failed to get six on the board as they settled for a field goal. Buffalo's offense returned to the field with a drive that included a fourth down conversion as Rex Ryan continued to plot to spoil his old team's playoff chances. A Dan Carpenter 37-yard field goal made it 19-10 Buffalo.
The Jets came roaring back with less than two minutes left in the third. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw to a wide open Eric Decker in the endzone. The touchdown and extra point put the Jets within two.
Buffalo didn't convert during the team's next offensive series and the ball went back to the Jets. The Jets drove down field with the help of a roughing the passer penalty on Jerry Hughes. In the end, Leodis McKelvin came through big with an interception in the end zone giving the Bills back the ball and preventing the Jets from going ahead.
Tthe Bills' next offensive series lead to a Dan Carpenter 42-yard field goal, andiIt expanded the Bills lead to 22-17 with 3:49 left in the game. With two minutes to go the Jets had a chance to get into the endzone until a blitz put pressure on Fitzpatrick which lead to a Manny Lawson interception.
The Jets did get the ball back but another Fitzpatrick interception, this time it was A.J. Tarpley with the grab, sealed the win for the Bills ending their NFL season with a record of 8-8. The Jets fall to 10-6 and with a Pittsburgh win, miss out on the postseason.