If you tuned into the Week 18 regular-season finale on January 4, 2026, you saw something that’s becoming a bit of a pattern. The Buffalo Bills didn't just win; they essentially took the New York Jets behind the woodshed. The final Buffalo Bills New York Jets score was a lopsided 35-8.
It was a cold, emotional day at Highmark Stadium. For many fans in Orchard Park, this felt like the end of an era. With a new stadium being built literally right across the parking lot, this 35-8 drubbing might be the final time a meaningful regular-season game is played on that specific patch of turf.
Buffalo looked like a team ready for a deep playoff run. The Jets? Honestly, they looked like a team that had already booked their flights to Cancun.
Breaking Down the 35-8 Blowout
The game was over before it really started. Buffalo jumped out to a 21-0 lead by halftime, and the Jets offense—led by a struggling unit under first-year coach Aaron Glenn—couldn't move the chains. They were held to just 122 total yards of offense. That is abysmal for a professional football team.
Josh Allen and James Cook got things moving early, but Sean McDermott was smart. He pulled the starters once the game was in hand to avoid any catastrophic injuries before the Wild Card round. Mitchell Trubisky stepped in and looked surprisingly sharp, finishing 22 of 29 for 259 yards.
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Key Scoring Moments
- Dawson Knox's 17-yard TD: A beautiful ball from Trubisky into the right corner of the end zone. Knox actually earned a $200,000 performance bonus with that catch. Talk about a good day at the office.
- Ty Johnson's Gritty Runs: Johnson had a six-yard rushing score and later a receiving touchdown. He was playing with a chip on his shoulder against his former team.
- Ray Davis Breaking Ankles: The rookie running back didn't score, but his 17-yard burst up the sideline in the first quarter set the tone for the entire afternoon.
The Jets didn't even sniff the end zone until the fourth quarter when the game was well out of reach. By then, the Buffalo crowd was already singing "Shout" and celebrating the No. 6 seed in the AFC.
A History of Recent Dominance
If you feel like the Bills always win this matchup lately, you aren't imagining things. Buffalo has now won five straight games against New York. Looking at the Buffalo Bills New York Jets score from the last couple of seasons, it's clear there is a massive gap between these two franchises right now.
Earlier in the 2025 season, specifically on September 14, the Bills went into MetLife Stadium and walked away with a 30-10 victory. James Cook was the star of that show, racking up 132 yards and two touchdowns. Even when Josh Allen had a bloody nose that briefly sent him to the sideline, the Bills didn't blink.
Go back to October 2024, and things were a little closer. That was a Monday Night Football thriller where Buffalo escaped with a 23-20 win. That game is mostly remembered for Aaron Rodgers throwing yet another Hail Mary touchdown right before the half. But even in a "close" game, the Jets found a way to lose, mostly due to penalties and missed field goals.
The State of the Jets: What Went Wrong?
It’s been a rough ride for the Green and White. They finished this 2025-2026 season with a 3-14 record. Coach Aaron Glenn was pretty blunt after the 35-8 loss, saying he felt like he let the organization down.
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The Jets defense, which was supposed to be the backbone of the team, looked exhausted. They were on the field for nearly 40 minutes because the offense couldn't stay on the field. Nine first downs. That’s all they could muster.
The injury bug didn't help, either. The Jets were playing with a "backup-filled" roster by Week 18, but that's a poor excuse when you're getting outscored 188-54 over your final five games of the season.
Why the Bills Are Still the Kings of the East (Mostly)
While the Dolphins and Patriots have had their moments, Buffalo remains the most consistent force in the division. Their 12-5 record this season wasn't enough to win the AFC East—that honor went elsewhere—but they secured the No. 6 seed and a date with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Bills have a certain "togetherness," as McDermott puts it. You saw it when backup offensive tackle Alec Anderson jumped into the stands to take photos with fans after the Jets game. This team enjoys playing for each other.
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Actionable Takeaways for Football Fans
If you're tracking the Buffalo Bills New York Jets score for betting purposes or just for your local rivalry bragging rights, here is what you need to keep in mind for the 2026 season and beyond:
- Watch the Venue: The Bills are moving into a brand-new stadium next season. Expect a massive "home-field advantage" surge as the team looks to christen their new home with wins.
- Running Back Depth: James Cook is the RB1, but the emergence of Ray Davis and the reliability of Ty Johnson mean Buffalo can win even when Josh Allen isn't playing hero ball.
- The Jets Rebuild (Again): With a 3-14 record, expect the Jets to have a top-three pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. They desperately need offensive line help and a long-term answer at quarterback if they ever want to flip the script on Buffalo.
- Defensive Consistency: Buffalo's defense continues to "manhandle" weaker offenses. If you're playing fantasy football or betting the under, Buffalo's defense against a struggling Jets unit is usually a safe bet.
The rivalry is 131 games deep now. Buffalo leads the all-time series 73-58. Unless the Jets find a way to fix their culture and their quarterback situation, expect that lead to keep growing. The 35-8 score wasn't a fluke; it was a reflection of two franchises heading in completely different directions.
Keep an eye on the offseason moves. The Jets have the draft capital to change their trajectory, while Buffalo will be looking to shed some veteran contracts to stay under the cap while keeping their Super Bowl window open.