5 takeaways from the Bills’ 40-14 win over the Jets
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5 takeaways from the Bills’ 40-14 win over the Jets

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rolls out to throw the ball against the New York Jets during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rolls out to throw the ball against the New York Jets during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills had a memorable day in Week 17 against the New York Jets, which gave them a memorable day next week in the 2024 season finale.

The Bills (13-3) beat the Jets (4-12) in a 40-14 final. New York didn’t start putting up points until both teams pulled their starters from the contest in the fourth quarter, further demonstrating Buffalo’s dominance on Sunday.

With the win, the Bills secured the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC ahead of the 2024 NFL postseason. That means Buffalo has a “de facto” bye in next week’s season finale, giving their starters a well-deserved rest.

So here are Bills Wire’s five takeaways from the win:

Confident week off

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 29: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills leaves the field after defeating the New York Jets 40-14 at Highmark Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 29: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills leaves the field after defeating the New York Jets 40-14 at Highmark Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 29: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills leaves the field after defeating the New York Jets 40-14 at Highmark Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

With the backups, led by quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, likely taking the field against the Patriots, the Bills deserve some rest. Offensive lineman Dion Dawkins was among the players in Buffalo who mentioned that they would like a week off if they wanted to secure first place in the AFC, but with this win the second place is secured, so the starters have no reason to have games. This calm could help.

However, after a week off, sometimes you can think in the back of your mind: Will they be rusty after this? With such a confidence-building victory? You don’t need to worry about that.

The MVP pace continues

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws the ball against the New York Jets during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Gregory Fisher-Imagn ImagesDec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws the ball against the New York Jets during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws the ball against the New York Jets during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The battle for the 2024 NFL MVP Award continues to go back and forth between Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Allen made another claim against the Jets. e

The defense was brutal

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) celebrates a sack against the New York Jets in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark Konezny-Imagn ImagesDec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) celebrates a sack against the New York Jets in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) celebrates a sack against the New York Jets in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The Jets only got the point when they took out quarterback Aaron Rodgers and put former Bill Tyrod Taylor in the middle. Buffalo’s defense essentially shut out New York. Both sides of the ball were fantastic for the Bills.

Injury avoided

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 17: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills looks on before his game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 17: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills looks on before his game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 17: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills looks on before his game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

That’s the difference

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on before a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on before a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on before a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 5 takeaways from the Bills’ 40-14 win over the Jets

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