The Buffalo Bills are 2-0 on the season after securing a 30-10 road win over the New York Jets. The Bills win was fueled by a dominant day on the ground for the offense and a lights-out performance from the defense.
Running back James Cook led the charge on offense, finishing with 21 carries for 132 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns – including a highlight-worthy 44-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Quarterback Josh Allen added to the Bills rushing success, taking off six times for a total of 59 yards. The reigning MVP completed 14 of 25 passing attempts for 148 yards and took one sack.
Missing two starters in nickel cornerback, Taron Johnson and defensive tackle Ed Oliver, the Bills defense held the Jets to 154 total yards and didn't allow New York into the red zone until under four minutes remained in the fourth quarter.
With over eight minutes remaining in the game, Allen and many of the offensive starters took to the sideline and backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky checked in for the remainder of the game as the Bills enjoyed a comfortable win over their division rival.
Key Moments
Allen and Cook hit the ground
Cook started the scoring off for Buffalo on Sunday with a 1-yard rushing touchdown on the Bills' first drive of the game, but it was the legs of Allen that sparked the touchdown drive.
On the third play of the game, Allen escaped a collapsing pocket and took off down the middle of the field, evading would-be tacklers on a 40-yard dash – the third-longest regular season rushing play of his career.
Two drives later, the jubilation around Allen's big play turned into concern as the quarterback quickly checked out of the game after taking a hit to the nose. Trubisky checked in for two plays, his first of which was a deep shot to wide receiver Joshua Palmer for a 32-yard gain. Allen, who received attention from the Bills training staff for his bloody nose, checked back into the game and led a scoring drive capped by a field goal from kicker Matt Prater.
The Bills took a three-score lead in the second quarter after Cook made multiple defenders miss near the line of scrimmage, changed direction on a dime and sprinted 44 yards for his second touchdown of the day to extend the Bills' lead to 20 points.
Cook's only mistake of the day came in the third quarter when Jets defensive tackle Jowon Briggs forced the running back to fumble. Fortunately for Buffalo, right tackle Spencer Brown recovered the loose ball to keep the Bills' final scoring drive of the day alive. Three plays later, wide receiver Elijah Moore had a rushing touchdown of his own on a four-yard outside run, extending the Bills lead to 27 points in the fourth quarter.
As Trubisky took the final knee of the game, Moore did a backflip in the backfield, a fitting reaction to a 2-0 start and a dominant road victory over a division opponent.
Defense shuts down Jets offensive attack
A week after allowing 40 points to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills defense dominated, allowing just two completions in the first half and 88 total yards. The Bills finished with four sacks, five tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. The Jets did not enter the red zone until their final drive of the game, when most of the defensive starters had substituted out of the game.
Defensive end Joey Bosa recorded a forced fumble for the second straight game. The 2025 free agent signing stormed up the field after Jets quarterback Justin Fields scrambled, punching the ball out where it was secured by defensive end A.J. Epenesa. In the fourth quarter, Bosa forced another fumble, but the Jets recovered the loose ball. Bosa finished with one sack and a tackle for loss.
Cornerback Tre'Davious White made his first appearance since signing with the team over the offseason – his second stint as a member of the Bills. Earning the start, the veteran cornerback finished with three tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Second-year safety Cole Bishop also had a strong performance, leading the team with five total tackles and securing his first career stats.
Last week, the Bills struggled to contain the rushing attack of running back Derrick Henry and the Ravens, allowing 238 yards on the ground. In Week 2, the Bills held the Jets to 100 rushing yards. Running back Breece Hall, who had over 100 yards on the ground in Week 1, was held to just 29 yards on 10 carries.
Key Stats and Facts to Know
- James Cook recorded his fifth career 40+ yard touchdown run. Since entering the league in 2022, Cook's five touchdown runs of 40 yards or more lead the NFL.
- The Bills defense limited the Jets to just two completions in the first half, the first time the Bills have done so since 2021 against the Patriot.
- Zion Logue's sack, which he split with Greg Rousseau, marked the first sack of his NFL career.
- Elijah Moore scored his first touchdown as a member of the Buffalo Bills. The 4-yard rushing touchdown was his second rushing touchdown of his career.
Scoring Plays
7:29 1Q | BUF 7 NYJ 0 | James Cook run short right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN
5:01 1Q | BUF 10 NYJ 0 | Matt Prater 28-yard field goal is GOOD
14:02 2Q | BUF 13 NYJ 0 | Matt Prater 52-yard field goal is GOOD
8:50 2Q | BUF 20 NYJ 0 | James Cook run left guard for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN
4:21 2Q | BUF 20 NYJ 3 | Nick Folk 51-yard field goal is GOOD
9:01 3Q | BUF 23 NYJ 3 | Matt Prater 33-yard field goal is GOOD
14:57 4Q | BUF 30 NYJ 3 | Elijah Moore right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN
3:28 4Q | BUF 30 NYJ 10 | Tyrod Taylor pass short left to Jeremy Ruckert, TOUCHDOWN
