Game story
In Week 17 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-12-30, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 28–9 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Sanchez (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with -12.11 total EPA, and -12.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, R. Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.59 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-43.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New York Jets changed the game: End of half - 2.24 pm
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Buffalo Bills | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Fitzpatrick · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +8.59 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 2 St. Johnson · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.35 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 3 B. Smith · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +4.16 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.08 EPA/play
- 4 C. Spiller · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.53 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 5 T. Choice · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +2.89 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
- 6 R. Martin · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.36 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
- 7 L. Hilliard · New York Jets · Receiving · +1.22 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 8 S. Greene · New York Jets · Rushing · +1.14 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Fitzpatrick — BUF · Passing
R. Fitzpatrick posted the highest total EPA (+8.59) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Buffalo Bills's efficiency. Across 26 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.62 EPA) came from Buffalo Bills: (3:32) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 28-C.Spiller for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Center screen, caught at BUF 35. Key block: K.Urbik.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Buffalo Bills — M. Sanchez
- Buffalo Bills — C. Spiller (R. Fitzpatrick pass)
- Buffalo Bills — B. Smith
- Buffalo Bills — T. Choice
Field goals
- New York Jets — N. Folk
- New York Jets — N. Folk
- New York Jets — N. Folk
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–3. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the BUF 29 (Q1 54:05) — (9:05) 2-N.Folk 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-3-R.Malone.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the BUF 85 (Q1 48:42); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q1 48:34) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell..
The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–6. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the BUF 5 (Q2 40:58); New York Jets connected on a field goal from the BUF 10 (Q2 33:53) — (3:53) 2-N.Folk 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-3-R.Malone.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NYJ 66 (Q2 33:32); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 33:21) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell..
The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NYJ 4 (Q4 10:55) — (10:55) Direct snap to B.Smith (R.Fitzpatrick at WR). (Shotgun) 16-B.Smith up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q4 10:52) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NYJ 13 (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) 20-T.Choice right guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q4 1:10) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New York Jets (Q2) — End of half - 2.24 pm
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 33:32) — (3:32) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 28-C.Spiller for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Center screen, caught at BUF 35. Key block: K.Urbik.
- New York Jets (Q1 48:42) — (3:42) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez pass short middle intended for 11-J.Kerley INTERCEPTED by 43-Br.Scott at NYJ 20. 43-Br.Scott for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Receiver underthrown at NYJ 22.
- New York Jets (Q2 36:38) — (6:38) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez pass short left to 11-J.Kerley pushed ob at BUF 31 for 40 yards (33-R.Brooks). Screen pass, caught at NYJ 27.
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 29:54) — (14:54) 28-C.Spiller up the middle to BUF 29 for 2 yards (70-M.Devito). FUMBLES (70-M.Devito), RECOVERED by NYJ-37-Y.Bell at BUF 25. 37-Y.Bell to BUF 15 for 10 yards (85-L.Smith).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 33:32) — (3:32) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 28-C.Spiller for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Center screen, caught at BUF 35. Key block: K.Urbik.
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 29:54) — (14:54) 28-C.Spiller up the middle to BUF 29 for 2 yards (70-M.Devito). FUMBLES (70-M.Devito), RECOVERED by NYJ-37-Y.Bell at BUF 25. 37-Y.Bell to BUF 15 for 10 yards (85-L.Smith).
- New York Jets (Q1 48:42) — (3:42) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez pass short middle intended for 11-J.Kerley INTERCEPTED by 43-Br.Scott at NYJ 20. 43-Br.Scott for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Receiver underthrown at NYJ 22.
- New York Jets (Q3 18:14) — (3:14) 6-M.Sanchez sacked at NYJ 33 for -7 yards (91-Sp.Johnson). FUMBLES (91-Sp.Johnson), RECOVERED by BUF-53-N.Bradham at NYJ 34. 53-N.Bradham to NYJ 34 for no gain (63-J.Smith).
Quarterback report card
M.Sanchez led all passers in efficiency for New York Jets, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Sanchez (New York Jets) · 39 dropbacks · 43.6% completion · -12.1% CPOE · -0.31 EPA/play · -12.11 total EPA
- R.Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) · 26 dropbacks · 46.2% completion · -12.9% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +8.59 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New York Jets | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.201 | -0.006 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.0% | 40.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.311 | +0.330 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.133 | -0.189 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.006 | +0.201 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.5% | 57.0% |
By the numbers
Buffalo Bills held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.20), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Buffalo Bills: 12 drives, -0.45 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New York Jets: 13 drives, -18.69 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- R. Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- M. Sanchez (NYJ) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- R. Fitzpatrick (BUF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- New York Jets FG (+3) — Q1 54:05 · BUF 29 · Score 3-0
(9:05) 2-N.Folk 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-3-R.Malone. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 48:42 · BUF 85 · Score 3-6
(3:42) (Shotgun) 6-M.Sanchez pass short middle intended for 11-J.Kerley INTERCEPTED by 43-Br.Scott at NYJ 20. 43-Br.Scott for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Receiver unde - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 48:34 · NYJ 2 · Score 3-7
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell. - New York Jets FG (+3) — Q2 40:58 · BUF 5 · Score 6-7
(10:58) 2-N.Folk 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-3-R.Malone. Kick tipped by A.Carrington, but still went through uprights. - New York Jets FG (+3) — Q2 33:53 · BUF 10 · Score 9-7
(3:53) 2-N.Folk 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-3-R.Malone. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 33:32 · NYJ 66 · Score 9-13
(3:32) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 28-C.Spiller for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Center screen, caught at BUF 35. Key block: K.Urbik. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 33:21 · NYJ 2 · Score 9-14
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 10:55 · NYJ 4 · Score 9-20
(10:55) Direct snap to B.Smith (R.Fitzpatrick at WR). (Shotgun) 16-B.Smith up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 10:52 · NYJ 2 · Score 9-21
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 1:14 · NYJ 13 · Score 9-27
(1:14) 20-T.Choice right guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 1:10 · NYJ 2 · Score 9-28
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets 28-9 in Week 17, 2012 on 2012-12-30.
What was the final score of New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was New York Jets 9, Buffalo Bills 28 (NYJ 9-28 BUF) in Week 17, 2012 on 2012-12-30.
What was the score by quarter in New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: New York Jets 3, Buffalo Bills 7; Q2: New York Jets 6, Buffalo Bills 7; Q4: New York Jets 0, Buffalo Bills 14; Final: New York Jets 9, Buffalo Bills 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills?
Buffalo Bills touchdown — M. Sanchez (Q1 48:42) Buffalo Bills touchdown — C. Spiller (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q2 33:32) Buffalo Bills touchdown — B. Smith (Q4 10:55) Buffalo Bills touchdown — T. Choice (Q4 1:14) New York Jets field goal — N. Folk (Q1 54:05, 3 pts) New York Jets field goal — N. Folk (Q2 40:58, 3 pts) New York Jets field goal — N. Folk (Q2 33:53, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills?
M. Sanchez (New York Jets), 43.6% completion, -12.1% CPOE, -0.31 EPA per dropback, -12.11 total passing EPA. R. Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills), 46.2% completion, -12.9% CPOE, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +8.59 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills?
R. Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) led the game in total EPA with +8.59 on passing plays. across 26 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.62 EPA): (3:32) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 28-C.Spiller for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Center screen, caught at BUF 35. Key block: K.Urbik.. The biggest win-probability swing was -43.0%.
Season records after this game
New York Jets
Entered 6-9 Now 6-10 L
Buffalo Bills
Entered 5-10 Now 6-10 W
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