Football proved to be alive and well in the newly renamed New Era Field as the Buffalo Bills faced off against their divisional rival New York Jets in their home opener on primetime Thursday night football in front of a crowd of over 70,200. A game that featured numerous memorable moments, many of which had nothing to do with the product on the field. From the echoes of Bruce Smith chants through the stadium as his famous number 78 jersey was retired, to London Fletcher leading the Bills out of the tunnel, and the inaugural game for Twitters live streaming of the NFL.
Quick from the get-go the Jets marched down the field scoring on the games opening possession putting together a fifteen-play sixty-five yard drive resulting in a Nick Folk field goal. Second year receiver Quincy Enunwa stepped up when it mattered putting together five catches for 90 yards in the first half alone including a key third down reception on the first drive. This would become a common theme for the Jets, as they were able to put together multiple long drives scraping away at the Bills defense.
The Jets and Bills were night and day in this category as the Bills relied upon the big play early and often. Three plays into their first offensive possession the Bills fired back with a score of their own. An 84-yard touchdown toss to speedster Marquise Goodwin on third down. A key play as not only did it open the scoring for the Bills but it was the longest home reception in Bills history, and on no other than the Jets Darrelle Revis.
The Bills offense found little else offensively besides a field goal late in the second quarter in the first half. After touchdowns by Matt Forte and Erick Decker as well as a Nick Folk field goal the Jets would go onto a 20-10 halftime lead.
A first half that was all Jets as they lead in key categories including time of possession, first downs, and the penalty margin. The Jets would almost double the Bills in time of possession (19:46 to 10:11) in the first half. Cause for concern early though for Jets fans as star-wide out Brandon Marhsall was seen limping off the field into the locker room after a big hit in the second. A scare is all it would turn out to be, as Marshall would return later in the second to reel in a pass for 21 yards finishing with six catches for 101 yards.
Following an emotional halftime jersey ceremony for Bruce Smith the Bills came out circling the wagons scoring quickly twice in the first five minutes of the third quarter. A 71-yard reception for Greg Salas and a 36-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Nickel Robey-Coleman saw the Bills take a 24 to 20 lead.
As quick as the Bills took the lead was as quick as they saw it slip away. The big arm of Ryan Fitzpatrick attacking the Bills secondary in particular corner Stephen Gilmore proved to be too much. Fitzpatrick who had previously struggled against Rex Ryan defenses got the best of him in this one finishing with just under 400 yards passing and one touchdown toss.
Truly making a name for himself in this one was big offseason addition for the Jets Matt Forte who found himself running wild on the Bills depleted front seven. Forte would go on to score three touchdowns and prove to still be the difference maker offensively that he was during his days in Chicago.
A late score with less than two minutes from Tyrod Taylor to Mike Gillislee the Jets would bring the game within a touchdown but that is as close as it would get, as the Jets would go on to defeat the Bills 37-31. The Jets move to 1-1 while the Bills remain winless at 0-2.
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