John Murphy: Bills continue to have the Jets' number in latest blowout

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — C’mon, who’s he trying to kid?

Who is Sean McDermott talking to when he tells Bills players not to gloat about their 30-10 victory over the New York Jets? He’s afraid the Jets might get upset?

“Quiet now — the rematch is only 16 weeks away.”

The Jets were a horrible, disorganized bunch Sunday.  They eventually became a disinterested group of individuals wasting everybody’s time. The Bills, adhering to the NFL code of effort and focus, had more than enough to beat them.

In fact, Buffalo’s recent victories over the Jets suggest a disturbing trend. Forget about 30-10, how about 41-10, 45-17, 32-6, or 40-14; some of the Bills wins in the McDermott era. The Bills have a +137 point differential against the Jets since 2020.

Maybe it’s time for the Jets to be relegated to a lower league like a soccer team. New York Jets vs. St. Louis Battlehawks anybody?

The Jets began their descent to the bottom right away Sunday. They went a quick three-and-out on their first possession and the Bills started a drive on their own 19.

It was a drive aided by a 40-yard Josh Allen scramble on third down, a fourth down four-yard run by Ray Davis, and a roughing the passer call against the Jets. James Cook finally put the Bills up 7-0 and it was over before half the first quarter was gone.

It was Cook’s touchdown run in the second quarter that had heads shaking however. Surrounded by defenders, he jumped over one Jet, danced around two others, and outran everybody 44 yards to the end zone.

Cook finished with 132 yards. He’s already on a pace for a 1500-yard season. Only O.J. Simpson has had a better year.  After Josh Allen, he’s become the biggest star on the team. He trails only Simpson and Thurman Thomas as the franchise all time running back. And he’s just getting warmed up this year. 

The Bills find themselves at the start of a stretch that could have them unbeaten halfway through the season. A home game against Miami (which looks like they could fire their coach any day now)  is followed by the Saints and Patriots. Then it’s roadies against Atlanta and Carolina.

At the end of October, they square off with the defending AFC champions Kansas City at home. And they are off to a 0-2 start.

The Biggest obstacles for the Bills are injuries and lack of focus. But it’s impossible to see them as unfocused as the Jets.

A word on Dick Roach

A quick word on the recent death of former Bills assistant coach Dick Roach. While he wasn’t a household name, Roach was a key member of Marv Levy’s staff 35 years ago.  He handled the Bills defensive backs including Mark Kelso, Leonard Smith, Nate Odomes, Henry Jones and others during his 11 years in Buffalo. He also spent time with four other NFL teams.

One brutally hot day at training camp in Fredonia, coach Bruce DeHaven (also deceased) was telling me about his tradition of not having a beer during training camp, as we watched the Bills work out. 

“It gets you focused on what’s important,” he said, “it cleans out the system,”

Nearby, Roach broke his silence with a spit of tobacco. He said, “I’ve tried drinking, and I’ve tried not drinking. To tell you the truth, they’re both overrated.”

RIP Dick Roach.