Jets @ Bills
Final Score: Bills 20, Jets 12
Writer: Brett Ford (@fadethatman on Twitter)
This game started out boring… err – I mean as a defensive struggle. It was a back-and-forth affair for most of the first half with neither team gaining any offensive traction. It took up until the final 30 seconds of the first half for either team to get points on the board as both teams looked stout defensively.
The second half started with fireworks as each team drove the field for a touchdown on their first offensive chance after halftime, but the momentum petered out quickly and it remained a defensive tug-of-war the rest of the way, with Buffalo earning the win.
Let’s dig in.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Mike White: 27/44, 268 Yards
Joe Flacco: 1/3, 1 Yard, 1 Fumble (Lost)
For the second-consecutive game, Mike White threw the ball over 40 times as the Jets’ offensive coaching staff continues to show that they trust their new starting quarterback. However, from a fantasy standpoint, White was a poor start in a bad matchup as the Bills limited him and the Jets’ offense to just 6.1 yards per completion and held the New York passing game without a touchdown.
In addition to his weak fantasy performance, White also sustained an in-game injury as he was absolutely blasted by Bills linebacker Matt Milano, leaving the game with a rib injury and giving way to Joe Flacco in the third quarter, though he returned to the field late in the game.
Jets Offensive line gonna get Mike White killed today pic.twitter.com/cLNsoUVP9c
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 11, 2022
While every team in the league has already been through its bye week, fantasy managers should be able to find a better alternative moving forward.
Running Back
Zonovan Knight: 17 Carries, 71 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 6 Yards
Michael Carter: 5 Carries, 5 Yards | 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 15 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)
Remember when the Jets traded away a conditional late-round draft pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for James Robinson? That’s okay – neither do they.
Zonovan “Bam” Knight has made them forget very quickly. Knight received an increase in his rushing workload for the third-straight week, carrying the ball 17 times for 71 yards and a touchdown. He was also targeted twice out of the backfield and pulled in both catches. He has taken over as the starting running back in this backfield and if somehow he is still available on the waiver wire deserves an all-in FAAB bid for the playoff run. Where else can you pick up a bona fide starting running back with a floor of 15 touches this late in the season?
THAT'S TOUGH @knight_zonovan!#NYJvsBUF on CBS pic.twitter.com/YnCNPfHlXh
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 11, 2022
Michael Carter functioned almost exclusively as the third-down back, taking all of the third-down and two-minute drill snaps. He toted the ball five times and added three catches on six targets.
James Robinson was a healthy scratch and should be dropped. Ty Johnson also mysteriously disappeared this week after having served as the Jets’ third down back each of the past few weeks.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Garrett Wilson: 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 78 Yards
Elijah Moore: 10 Targets, 6 Receptions, 60 Yards
Denzel Mims: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 35 Yards
Tyler Conklin: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 28 Yards
Braxton Berrios: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 25 Yards
Corey Davis: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 15 Yards
C.J. Uzomah: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)
A mostly uninspiring day for the Jets’ receiving corps, as Garrett Wilson led the way with six catches for 78 yards on seven targets but was largely unspectacular. But he does have great hands.
Confirmed: @GarrettWilson_V's hands are incredible.#NYJvsBUF on CBS pic.twitter.com/QbbrBu8VK4
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 11, 2022
Elijah Moore led the team as he saw a season-high 10 targets, pulling in six for 60 yards. Moore ran 47 routes on 61 offensive snaps and saw by far his highest usage of the season. Moore may be worth a speculative waiver add, especially if Joe Flacco is called into action due to the Mike White injury.
Tyler Conklin continues to be a vanilla ice cream play at tight end – lame and not sexy at all, but consistent with a relatively high floor at a horrifying tight end position.
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback
Josh Allen: 16/27, 147 Yards, TD | 10 Carries, 47 Yards, TD
Josh Allen was just okay and was a rushing touchdown away from having his worst game of the season. Luckily for his fantasy managers, he punched one in on the ground to salvage the week.
.@JoshAllenQB for 6️⃣‼️
📺: @NFLonCBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/mtfrqPFkd9
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 11, 2022
Everybody has a down game from time to time and it’s not fair to freak out about Josh Allen after one of his worst fantasy performances of the year. However, Allen’s performance since his injury has shown a concerning trend. Over his past five games, Allen has scored more than 21 fantasy points just once. Allen averaged about 28 fantasy points per game over the Bills’ first six games. In his last six games, Allen is averaging around 20.6 fantasy points per game.
Running Back
Devin Singletary: 8 Carries, 39 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
James Cook: 4 Carries, 6 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Nyheim Hines: 1 Carry, 3 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Devin Singletary saw his workload significantly reduced as Josh Allen took over as RB1 and James Cook and Nyheim Hines worked into the passing game. The production was completely uninteresting as the three running backs combined for 48 yards rushing, but the usage was at least useful to look at. Rookie James Cook led the Bills running backs in snaps, with 15 offensive snaps, and routes run with nine. However, he received just four carries to Singletary’s eight as Singletary was on the field for 14 offensive snaps with nine routes run as well. On paper, it looks like the Bills are ready to give Cook more of the workload. If James Cook is on your waiver wire he is worth a pickup.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Dawson Knox: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 41 Yards, TD
Stefon Diggs: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 37 Yards
Gabe Davis: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 31 Yards
Isaiah McKenzie: 1 Carry, 7 Yards | 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 21 Yards
A challenging game for the Bills’ typically prolific receiving corps. Stefon Diggs was largely shut down by Sauce Gardner and company while Gabe Davis was also limited. In their stead, Dawson Knox stepped up for 41 yards on four catches with a touchdown as well.
Full send, @dawson_knox!
📺: @NFLonCBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/EgmpicEe29
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 11, 2022
The results seem more matchup based than anything else. The Bills’ offense in general was stifled by the tough Jets’ defense. With matchups against Miami, Chicago, and Cincinnati on the horizon, fantasy managers have no reason to panic.