The Jets won't have a shot at drafting USC's RB Reggie Bush, but at least the Gang Green showed some pride, as they defeated the Buffalo Bills to finish the season 4-12.
The Bills took a 3-0 lead on their first possession of the game, but the Jets quickly tied the score with a field goal of their own, which followed an interception by CB Ty Law. As the second quarter began, the Bills converted another field goal attempt, making the score 6-3. Once again the Gang Green instantly responded as QB Brooks Bollinger hooked up with WR Laveranues Coles for a 43-yard completion that put the ball on the Bills' 3-yard line. On the next play RB Cedric Houston scored a touchdown, which put the Jets ahead, 10-6. Then, on the first play of the ensuing Bills' possession LB Marc Brown intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, 17-6. Later in the quarter Buffalo cut the Jets' lead to 17-13.
The second half started exactly like the first one - the Bills scored a field goal on their first drive to make the score 17-16. The Jets extended their lead back to 4 points six minutes later after they had a first and goal and failed to score a touchdown. Later in the quarter the Bills scored a touchdown and took over the lead, 23-20.
The Jets came back with yet another field goal, as PK Mike Nugent tied the game with almost eleven minutes left to play. About five minutes later CB/KR Justin Miller finally did what many Jets' fan had expected him to do before the season began - he ran past every Bills player, speeding for a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 5:58 remaining to put the Jets ahead for good, 30-26. The Bills tried to come back but were stopped by another Ty Law interception - his third of the game.
QB Brooks Bollinger finished the game 11 of 20 for 153 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT and a modest quarterback rating of 79.8. RB Cedric Houston carried the ball 16 times for 55 yards. WR Laveranues Coles made 4 catches for 79 yards.
S Erik Coleman led the team with 13 tackles (11 solo). DE Bryan Thomas and DE John Abraham had one sack apiece, which allowed Abraham to cross the 10-sack mark for the third time in his 6-year career. He finished the season with 10.5 sacks. CB Ty Law had 3 interceptions, in what was probably his last game as a Jet, and set a new team record - 10 interceptions in one season. LB Mark Brown's interception in the second quarter was his second of the season.
The New York Jets finished the season 4-12 and will have #4 pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft.