Jets Stumble Against Bills as Injuries and Mistakes Pile Up
As injuries and mistakes mount, Jets struggle against Bills.
After showing signs of progress under new head coach Aaron Glenn, the New York Jets entered Week 2 with hope, but Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills reminded them how much work left. The Jets lost 30-10 at Orchard Park and lost quarterback Justin Fields and two important defensive starters.
The game started well but quickly became frustrating. Fields struggled early, missing wide receivers and losing a crucial ball. Three completions for 27 yards before exiting with a concussion in the fourth quarter was difficult to accept. He gained some ground yards, but the Jets offense never connected. New York barely reached 100 yards by the midpoint of the fourth quarter, while Buffalo dominated the tempo with extended drives.
Injuries exacerbated matters. Fields’ departure was the most concerning, but defensive leaders Jermaine Johnson and Michael Carter II also exited with ankle and shoulder injuries, hurting a team under scrutiny. Jets’ defense, once a league powerhouse, looked weak in every phase. Bills took advantage of huge rushing lanes, missed tackles, and costly penalties. After a Michael Clemons roughing-the-passer call, Buffalo scored on an early drive, setting the tone for the afternoon.
New York’s only bright spot was veteran kicker Nick Folk’s second-quarter 51-yard field goal. Even that choice was questioned since surrendering for three points on a fourth-and-short kept the game out of reach rather than changing momentum. The Bills played efficient and physical football, and their fans cheered them on as Jets players left to pity applause.
The setback highlighted a disturbing trend for the Jets. At least Week 1’s tight loss to the Steelers showed inventiveness and fight. Week 2 looked like regression, raising worries about whether Glenn’s new culture will work to stabilize the season. Without a healthy Fields, the offense is questionable, and the defense that previously carried the franchise is a problem.
Future road trips to Florida might define the Jets’ early season. First up is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who will play on short rest after a Monday night game. The Jets face the Miami Dolphins in primetime the following week, a team they haven’t beaten in their stadium in over a decade. If losses continue, the Jets may face the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife on Oct. 5 still looking for their first Glenn-era win.
Now, what was supposed to be new feels familiar. The Jets intended to improve, but they exited Week 2 defeated and with more questions than answers.
