New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills: 2016 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-09-15, the New York Jets took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 37–31 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Fitzpatrick (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with +20.88 total EPA, and +11.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Fitzpatrick (New York Jets) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.88 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+54.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New York Jets changed the game: End of half - 9:52 pm

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 R. Fitzpatrick · New York Jets · Passing · +20.88 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Taylor · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +12.51 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Decker · New York Jets · Receiving · +10.54 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
4. 4 Q. Enunwa · New York Jets · Receiving · +9.15 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.53 EPA/play
5. 5 G. Salas · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +7.17 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Goodwin · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +7.07 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Marshall · New York Jets · Receiving · +5.91 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Gillislee · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.98 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Buffalo Bills — M. Goodwin (T. Taylor pass) (Q1 50:26)
• New York Jets — M. Forte (Q2 41:13)
• New York Jets — E. Decker (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q2 33:57)
• Buffalo Bills — G. Salas (T. Taylor pass) (Q3 29:22)
• Buffalo Bills — J. Marshall (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q3 26:28)
• New York Jets — M. Forte (Q3 17:17)
• New York Jets — M. Forte (Q4 4:07)
• Buffalo Bills — M. Gillislee (T. Taylor pass) (Q4 1:22)

Field goals

• New York Jets — N. Folk (Q1 51:44)
• New York Jets — N. Folk (Q1 45:04)
• Buffalo Bills — D. Carpenter (Q2 30:10)
• New York Jets — N. Folk (Q4 10:40)

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 7–6. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the BUF 10 (Q1 51:44) — (6:44) 2-N.Folk 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NYJ 84 (Q1 50:26); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q1 50:16) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the BUF 11 (Q1 45:04) — (:04) 2-N.Folk 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards..

The second quarter: New York Jets won the period 14–3. New York Jets found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q2 41:13) — (11:13) 22-M.Forte up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 41:07) — 2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; New York Jets found the end zone from the BUF 5 (Q2 33:57); New York Jets added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 33:53) — 2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NYJ 21 (Q2 30:10) — (:10) 2-D.Carpenter 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NYJ 71 (Q3 29:22) — (14:22) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 11-G.Salas for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at NYJ 31.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q3 29:09) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the BUF 67 (Q3 26:28); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NYJ 10 (Q3 26:15) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; New York Jets found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q3 17:17) — (2:17) 22-M.Forte up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q3 17:12) — 2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards..

The fourth quarter: New York Jets won the period 10–7. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the BUF 18 (Q4 10:40) — (10:40) 2-N.Folk 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; New York Jets found the end zone from the BUF 12 (Q4 4:07) — (4:07) 22-M.Forte left guard for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 4:02) — 2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NYJ 18 (Q4 1:22); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q4 1:17) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• New York Jets (Q2) — End of half - 9:52 pm [WPA +54.7% · EPA -2.91]
• New York Jets (Q3 26:28) — (11:28) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 89-J.Marshall to NYJ 35 for 2 yards (52-P.Brown). FUMBLES (52-P.Brown), RECOVERED by BUF-21-N.Robey-Coleman at NYJ 36. 21-N.Robey-Coleman for 36 [WPA -25.3% · EPA -7.70]
• Buffalo Bills (Q1 50:26) — (5:26) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 88-M.Goodwin for 84 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at NYJ 30. PENALTY on NYJ-91-S.Richardson, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +22.9% · EPA +7.95]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 29:22) — (14:22) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 11-G.Salas for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at NYJ 31. [WPA +19.8% · EPA +6.33]
• New York Jets (Q3 19:36) — (4:36) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 87-E.Decker to BUF 29 for 17 yards (29-K.Seymour, 23-A.Williams). Caught at BUF 35, crossing from right. [WPA +13.4% · EPA +2.55]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Buffalo Bills (Q1 50:26) — (5:26) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 88-M.Goodwin for 84 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at NYJ 30. PENALTY on NYJ-91-S.Richardson, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +22.9% · EPA +7.95]
• New York Jets (Q3 26:28) — (11:28) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 89-J.Marshall to NYJ 35 for 2 yards (52-P.Brown). FUMBLES (52-P.Brown), RECOVERED by BUF-21-N.Robey-Coleman at NYJ 36. 21-N.Robey-Coleman for 36 [WPA -25.3% · EPA -7.70]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 29:22) — (14:22) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 11-G.Salas for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at NYJ 31. [WPA +19.8% · EPA +6.33]
• New York Jets (Q1 59:11) — (14:11) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left to 81-Q.Enunwa to BUF 41 for 34 yards (24-S.Gilmore). Caught along sideline at BUF 46. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +3.74]

Quarterback report card

R.Fitzpatrick led all passers in efficiency for New York Jets, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Fitzpatrick (New York Jets) · 40 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +11.0% CPOE · +0.52 EPA/play · +20.88 total EPA
• T.Taylor (Buffalo Bills) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · +0.9% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +12.51 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New York Jets generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs +0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, +7.92 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New York Jets: 11 drives, +18.59 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New York Jets leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• R. Fitzpatrick (New York Jets) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Fitzpatrick (NYJ) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q1 51:44 · BUF 10 · Score 3-0
   (6:44) 2-N.Folk 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
2. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 50:26 · NYJ 84 · Score 3-6
   (5:26) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 88-M.Goodwin for 84 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at NYJ 30. PENALTY on NYJ-91-S.Richardson, Taunting, 1
3. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 50:16 · NYJ 15 · Score 3-7
   2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
4. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q1 45:04 · BUF 11 · Score 6-7
   (:04) 2-N.Folk 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
5. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 41:13 · BUF 1 · Score 12-7
   (11:13) 22-M.Forte up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 41:07 · BUF 15 · Score 13-7
   2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
7. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 33:57 · BUF 5 · Score 19-7
   (3:57) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 87-E.Decker for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-Z.Brown]. Caught 7 yds. into end zone, crossing from right.
8. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 33:53 · BUF 15 · Score 20-7
   2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
9. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 30:10 · NYJ 21 · Score 20-10
   (:10) 2-D.Carpenter 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
10. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 29:22 · NYJ 71 · Score 20-16
    (14:22) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 11-G.Salas for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at NYJ 31.
11. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 29:09 · NYJ 15 · Score 20-17
    2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
12. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 26:28 · BUF 67 · Score 20-23
    (11:28) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 89-J.Marshall to NYJ 35 for 2 yards (52-P.Brown). FUMBLES (52-P.Brown), RECOVERED by BUF-21-N.Robey-Colem
13. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 26:15 · NYJ 10 · Score 20-24
    2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
14. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 17:17 · BUF 3 · Score 26-24
    (2:17) 22-M.Forte up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 17:12 · BUF 15 · Score 27-24
    2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
16. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q4 10:40 · BUF 18 · Score 30-24
    (10:40) 2-N.Folk 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
17. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q4 4:07 · BUF 12 · Score 36-24
    (4:07) 22-M.Forte left guard for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q4 4:02 · BUF 15 · Score 37-24
    2-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Purdum, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
19. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 1:22 · NYJ 18 · Score 37-30
    (1:22) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short right to 35-M.Gillislee to NYJ 1 for 17 yards (21-M.Gilchrist). Dump pass, caught at NYJ 14. The Replay Official reviewed
20. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 1:17 · NYJ 15 · Score 37-31
    2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.