Bills’ defense clamps down on Ryan’s old team

Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

Rex Ryan’s return to the Meadowlands was a successful one — thanks to his pride and joy, the defense.

Buffalo’s defense shut down Ryan’s former team for much of Thursday night, and the Bills scored on offense and special teams in a 22-17 victory over the New York Jets.

Duke Williams returned a fumbled kickoff 19 yards for the go-ahead points, rookie Karlos Williams had a 26-yard touchdown catch and Dan Carpenter kicked three field goals. Buffalo (5-4) moved into the wild-card playoff picture, while the Jets (5-4) have lost three of their last four games.

Ryan was fired by the Jets after six seasons and immediately hired by Buffalo last January. His defense, had two interceptions, recovered a fumble and stopped the Jets inside the Bills 10 in the final minutes — prompting some vigorous fist pumps Ryan repeated when Bacarri Rambo clinched it with a last-minute pick.

Buffalo’s offense made just enough key plays and held off a late surge by the Jets after Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for two touchdowns.

The “Rexception” before the game was tame, with some boos, a few cheers, nothing over the top. The loudest catcalls came when former Jets defensive end IK Enemkpali, chosen by Ryan as a team captain for the game, came out for the coin toss. Enemkpali infamously broke Jets quarterback Geno Smith’s jaw with a punch during the preseason, was cut and claimed the next day by Buffalo.

Hardly a wallflower, Ryan, wearing a red vest, almost was lost on the sideline among his players in their garish scarlet uniforms. And the fans seemed to forget about him once the action began.

That early action was dominated by some fierce defense. New York’s blitzes kept Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor off-balance, and Buffalo got its first three points thanks to Corey Graham’s interception off a bobble by Jets receiver Brandon Marshall. Carpenter kicked a 47-yard field goal to make it 3-3.