The Buffalo Bills backups dominated the New York Jets.
From kickoff to the final whistle, it was the Bills who outscored the Jets 35-8.
Buffalo’s offense had no problem marching down the field all game against New York. On the defensive side of the ball, Buffalo stifled Brady Cook and the Jets. New York would eventually score a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the game looked like a varsity game against a JV scrimmage.
After Buffalo’s 12th win of the season, there are reasons for both encouragement and concern for the team.
Encouragement
Ray Davis: Buffalo has one of the best linebackers in the league in James Cook, but Ray Davis has shown that he is more than capable of humbling the rock when called upon. Buffalo’s second-year running back and dynamic kick returner went over 100 yards rushing and averaged 7.2 YPC while finishing with a 21-151 stat line on the ground.
Davis added a touchdown through the air and finished with two receptions for 23 yards.
Mitch Trubisky: Buffalo leaned on Mitch Trubisky in the regular season finale. After one handoff from Josh Allen to start the game, Trubisky went the rest of the way. To say he looked ready for the Jets would be an understatement.
Trubisky connected with 10 different players in Buffalo’s win. He finished the game completing 22 of 29 passes for 259 yards and four touchdowns. Trubisky had no sacks and added five yards on the ground.
Ty Johnson: Ty Johnson was one of the few players to hit his incentives in Buffalo’s Week 18 win. Johnson needed two touchdowns to collect the $250,000. Landing rush and reception helped him get the job done.
Fixed accounts: Dawson Knox also collected several assists in Buffalo’s win on Sunday. Trubisky joked that Knox might owe him a nice steak for helping him earn $200,000.
Knox wasn’t the only opponent to do well. Dalton Kincaid had three catches for 48 yards, Keleki Latu added 31 yards on three receptions and Jackson Hawes also had a catch.
TJ Sanders: TJ Sanders recorded his first career sack in Buffalo’s win. Sanders had to play out of position for a chunk of his rookie year due to Buffalo’s lack of depth, but he has looked very comfortable at defensive tackle in recent weeks.
Troubled
Max Hairston: Buffalo saw their first round pick suffer an injury in a win over the Jets. Hairston was eventually able to get off the field under his own power, but was taken to the locker room shortly afterward.
After Buffalo’s victory, Hairston was spotted wearing a walking shoe. The rookie was great in a limited role behind Tre’Davious White. If he can’t go this weekend, Buffalo’s cornerback depth will be tested.
Matt Prater: Buffalo will likely need to sign a kicker for the playoffs. Matt Prater returned to the lineup after missing two games with a right quad injury. After the three-point conversion, Prater re-aggravated the injury.
Buffalo will likely have to look at several kickers this week to try to find a solution to replace Prater.
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