New York Jets 37-31 Buffalo Bills
Friday 16 September 2016 11:49, UK
Matt Forte scored three touchdowns and ran for 100 yards as the New York Jets beat AFC rivals Buffalo Bills 37-31 at Orchard Park.
Marquise Goodwin and Greg Salas scored 84 and 71-yard touchdowns respectively to keep the Bills in it, but Forte and Decker combined to give New York their first win of the season.
In 140 characters...
Jets outlast Bills in topsy turvy game. Five lead changes before Richardson stop hands NY the edge. Bills 0-2 and in early season trouble.
MVP
Matt Forte was an unstoppable force, rushing for 100 yards and three touchdowns. He made some big plays at crucial times, and added the TDs that his week one performance was missing.
Game-changer
With five minutes to play on fourth and one, the Bills went for the first down. LeSean McCoy was wrapped up by defensive end Sheldon Richardson, handing possession to the Jets offence who took advantage. Forte ran his third touchdown into the end zone, extending the lead to 13 points and putting the Jets out of sight.
Stat of the night
3 - Three Jets made 100 yards or more. Wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall, as well as Forte who got 100 yards exactly.
The game
It was a slow start, with the Jets first drive taking more than half the first quarter. Ryan Fitzpatrick overcame two ball spills before settling for a 28-yard field goal, but the Bills hit back straight away, Tyrod Taylor connecting with Marquise Goodwin for an 84-yard touchdown on his first throw of the night. Goodwin, who missed out on a US Olympic long jump spot this summer, had too much for Jets cornerback Darelle Revis and raced home to put the Bills up 7-3.
The Jets scored another field goal before the end of the first quarter, and they retook the lead early in the second, Forte finishing a 66-yard drive, forcing himself over the line from a yard out. It wasn't long before New York added their second touchdown, Eric Decker finding space in the end zone to extend the lead to 20-7.
The second half started like the first as Taylor found Greg Salas downfield for a 71-yard touchdown on the third throw. Within a minute the Bills were ahead, Jets wide receiver Jalin Marshall fumbling the ball after a hit from Preston Brown. Buffalo cornerback Kell Robey-Coleman was first to react, scooping up and returning for a 36-yard touchdown to give Buffalo a 24-20 advantage.
With two minutes left in the third quarter, the lead changed again as Forte grabbed his second touchdown of the night, finishing off an 84-yard, 12-play drive. The Jets then took charge, another Folk field goal extending the lead to 10 points, before Forte got his third TD of the night. Mike Gillislee pulled it back to a one score game with a minute left on the clock, but the Jets held on to get the all important divisional win.
It will be a concern to Bills fans that Sammy Watkins' role was greatly reduced as he made just two catches for 20 yards. At 0-2 head coach Rex Ryan will be relying on him to get back to full health and rejuvenate an under performing offence.
