Top 3 Things We Learned

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Top 3 things we learned from Bills at Jets | Week 2

Sep 14, 2025 at 07:56 PM

Alec White

Content Manager

The Bills controlled the scoreboard and the clock in their 30-10 Week 2 victory over their AFC rival New York Jets. Here are the top three things we learned.

1 — Ball control and bruising runs

It's not often the Bills can go a full game without a Josh Allen touchdown and still win decisively, yet that's exactly what happened Sunday at MetLife Stadium. All three Bills touchdowns came from players not named Allen, marking the first time since 2020 that Buffalo won without a score from their MVP QB.

Led by RB James Cook, the Bills methodically utilized their run game, finishing with 224 rush yards and only three runs gaining over 8 yards despite having 43 attempts.

"When something's not broke, don't fix it," Allen said. "We kept going back to it and it worked out pretty good for us."

When the Bills did create explosives in the run game, they were important. Allen's 40-yard scramble on 3rd and 8 — the third 40-yard regular season rush of his career — led to an opening drive touchdown run by Cook from six yards out.

"It was important for us to get off to a good start. I thought we did that in a complimentary way, scoring on offense, getting some three and outs early, a take away early, setting our offense up," head coach Sean McDermott said.

Cook's prowess in the run game will garner the headlines from this content. His team-leading 132 rush yards marked the second-most he's had in his career (179 vs. Dallas in 2023) and he added two rushing scores to his ledger.

Cook's other TD came on a dazzling 44-yard scamper in the second quarter as the fourth-year back juked and weaved his way through multiple Jets defenders. He now leads the league since 2022 in 40-plus yard touchdown runs with five.

"When I cut back, like when I made the jump and cut back to the right, I knew it was — just beat the first man, and that's what I did," Cook said.

Added Allen, "I thought James did a great job of getting onto the second level. He had a heck of a game."

Buffalo's commitment to the run game was impressive as much as it was intentional. With a run game that both chewed clock while moving the chains, the Bills owned the ball for over 38 minutes. They maximized their opportunities with scoring drives on six of their first seven possessions of the game.

"The Bills are one of those teams that aren't gonna shy away from what's working for them," said Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.

The Bills showcased their formation flexibility, lining up in 13 personnel with three tight ends eight times and 12 personnel with two tight ends seven times. Cook's 44-yard TD came out of 13 personnel and Elijah Moore's four-yard end-around TD in the fourth quarter came out of 12 personnel.

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2 — A buttoned-up defensive effort

On paper, the Jets presented similar challenges as Buffalo's Week 1 opponent: a speedy, dual threat QB, a big-bodied duo of running backs and a vertical threat on the outside. Sunday proved why games are settled on the field and not on spreadsheets.

Buffalo's attention to detail in their run defense was evident from the opening drive, stopping Jets RB Breece Hall to a two-yard gain and a three-yard loss on first and second down. That set the tone for how the rest of the day would go as Hall managed just 29 yards on 10 carries.

"Better understanding of the plan," McDermott said of the defensive effort. "Coaches, led by Bobby Babich, did a great job putting a good plan together. Players executed. They spent time — like they did last week don't get me wrong. But they were really intentional this week about the details and making sure they understood where they were supposed to be and when they were supposed to be there. "

The Bills' stout run defense prevented the Jets and QB Justin Field from putting themselves in favorable positions, which was crucial early in the game. The Jets first four possessions: punt, forced fumble by DE Joey Bosa, punt, punt. The Bills allowed just 13 yards.

3 —Bosa makes an impact again

After playing nearly 70% of the defensive snaps in Week 1, veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa was once again a key contributor for the Buffalo defense with six pressures, a sack, two QB hits and two forced fumbles.

Bosa let out a jubilant celebration on the sideline after his forced fumble on Fields in the first quarter then waved goodbye to the Jets crowd after he sacked Fields on third down at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

"Just trying to have as much fun as I can," Bosa said.

Bosa shared that he's trying to soak up every game in his 10th season.

"Not to beat it to death but the last few years haven't went my way with injuries, but I'm just trying to enjoy every second I can out there, feeling good out with the guys," he said.

The edge rusher's impact has been noticed all around.

"Joey has been great since he's gotten here. He loves to play football. He prepares. He's a true pro. He's been a really good addition," McDermott said.

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