The 2012 season was over long ago for both the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets.
For much of Sunday's season finale, both teams played like it.
The Bills pulled away in the second half to beat the Jets 28-9 in a forgettable end to the regular season at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The teams finish the year in a tie for last place in the AFC East at 6-10.
The atmosphere in Orchard Park resembled a preseason game, which was fitting considering there was next to nothing at stake for either team. There was an announced attendance of 54,533, but it looked like there was more like 40,000 fans inside a frigid Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The two embattled QBs -- Ryan Fitzpatrick and Mark Sanchez -- failed to make the most of what could be their last opportunities under center for their respective teams. Fitzpatrick finished with 225 yards and one TD, but he struggled with the same accuracy issues that have plagued him all season long. He had three completions in the first half. Sanchez, thrust into the lineup with Greg McElroy (concussion) injured, was dreadful against a bad Bills defense. He finished 17 of 35 for 205 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
WR Stevie Johnson (six receptions for 111 yards) and RB C.J. Spiller (59 yards rushing, 72 yards receiving, including a 66-yard TD) led the way for the Bills on offense. Johnson became the first Bills receiver to ever reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark in three consecutive seasons, and Spiller became the first Bill since Willis McGahee in 2005 to post 1,200 rushing yards in a season (1,244 yards).
Both teams face uncertain futures that overshadowed the game Sunday. Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum is expected to be fired Monday, and the Jets have hired an executive to lead a search for the team’s next GM. After the game, coach Rex Ryan maintained that he wants to remain coach of the Jets while saying that he hasn’t received any assurances that he’ll be back.
“This is the team that I want to coach -- nobody else’s,” Ryan said. “Obviously, with only six wins and all that stuff, I’m sure there’ll be some Jet fans that maybe wish I wouldn’t coach the Jets. But guess what, I know I’m the right guy for the job. I want to be here. Obviously, Mr. [Woody] Johnson has a right to do whatever he chooses because he’s the owner. I appreciate the fact that he’s given me this opportunity.”
The fate of Bills coach Chan Gailey and his staff has yet to be determined, but Gailey is clearly on the hot seat with a 16-32 record in Buffalo. Gailey declined to comment after the game on questions regarding his future, saying that he’ll address those issues at his season-ending press conference on Monday.
When the game turned: The Bills took the lead for good on Spiller’s 66-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter and were in firm control after that. With the New York offense sputtering, the Bills were in the clear once they took a 14-9 lead.
Highlight moments: Stevie Johnson topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the third consecutive season in style with a tremendous 37-yard catch down the right sideline in the fourth quarter. Spiller was as explosive as ever to finish the season, ripping off a 66-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter. The Bills RB took a simple short pass and cut to the middle before he was off to the races. Jets WR Jeremy Kerley continues to play well against the Bills and had a terrific 40-yard run on a 3rd and 16 attempt in the second quarter. Buffalo blocked two field goals, but one of those (a 23-yarder) still had enough momentum to go through the uprights.
Top-shelf performances:
- Bills RB C.J. Spiller -- 24 rushes for 59 yards, two receptions for 72 yards, 66-yard receiving TD
- Bills WR Stevie Johnson -- Six receptions for 111 yards
- Jets WR Jeremy Kerley -- Three receptions for 88 yards
What the Bills said about showing some fight with nothing on the line:
- Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick -- “What we could control today is going out there and playing hard, playing for each other because this is the last time this team is going to be together with all of the guys. These situations, they are kind of pride games.”
- Bills coach Chan Gailey -- "You talk all week about professionalism, professional pride and professional duty. We talked about that and our guys went out there to uphold what professional means. I think that's the way they went out there."
Numbers you should know: Spiller finished the year with an average of 6 yards per carry; that's the the second-highest average in team history (behind O.J. Simpson’s 6.03 yards per carry in 1973), and Spiller is the seventh player in NFL history with an average of 6 yards or better in a season (with at least 200 attempts).
Injury update: Bills -- No injuries. Jets -- WR Clyde Gates left the game with a head injury.
Going forward: Both teams will undergo plenty of change this offseason following disappointing 2012 results.
For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBills and @MarkLud12.
Stay dialed in on the New York Jets by following correspondent Lisa Zimmerman on Twitter @CBSJets and @LisaZimmerman.