Lindell kicks 47-yard FG to lead Bills over Jets 16-13 in OT

Lindell’s 47-yard FG wins it for Bills in OT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rian Lindell made good on his second chance at giving the Buffalo Bills a stunning victory.

Lindell kicked a 47-yard field goal with 2:44 left in overtime, making up for a miss at the end of regulation in the Bills’ 16-13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

“I told them, ‘Let’s get inside the 30 and hammer away,’” Lindell said. “I’ve got to make that.”

The Bills (2-4) took advantage of rookie Mark Sanchez’s fifth interception of the day to snap a three-game losing streak, and send the sputtering Jets (3-3) to their third straight loss.

“That sure was a great win for our football team,” coach Dick Jauron said. “We certainly needed it. I can’t say enough about that group of guys. They won’t quit, no matter what happens.”

Lindell was wide right on a 46-yard attempt into the wind as regulation time expired, sending it to overtime.

“We had to pick each other up,” Lindell said. “We made more mistakes than we’d like to. It’s nice to overcome that and battle back.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick stepped in ably for an injured Trent Edwards, who left early in the second quarter with a concussion, helping the Bills overcome Thomas Jones’ Jets franchise-record 210 yards rushing on 22 carries. The Jets finished with 318 yards rushing, including 99 by Leon Washington, but it went for naught.

“We lost,” said Jones, who broke Curtis Martin’s team mark. “I could’ve had 2 yards. We lost the game.”

And perhaps much more.

Nose tackle Kris Jenkins left late in the second quarter with what coach Rex Ryan called a “probably severe” left knee injury.

Ryan didn’t want to speculate further on the future of Jenkins, one of the team’s defensive stars, until he had an MRI exam. Jenkins’ leg was heavily wrapped after the game, and he left the stadium on crutches.

“We’ll know much more about it (Monday),” Ryan said. “Unfortunately, I think it’s probably severe. I’m not sure, though.”

That would be a devastating loss for a defense that has struggled to dominate as it did to start the season.

“It’s a huge blow,” defensive end Shaun Ellis said. “Guys are going to have to step up across the board and fill in his shoes, and those are big shoes to fill.”

Jay Feely had a shot at a winning 50-yard attempt early in overtime, but holder Steve Weatherford couldn’t handle the snap. Weatherford, the punter, ran to his left and lofted the ball, but it was picked off by John Wendling and gave the Bills possession.

Fitzpatrick went 10 of 25 for 116 yards and a touchdown to Lee Evans and one interception for the Bills after Edwards left. On third-and-2 from the Bills 43 early in the second quarter, Edwards was taken down by David Harris and Calvin Pace and remained on the turf for a few moments before being taken to the sideline, and then into the locker room.

“If Trent ends up being out, I’ll get some more time with those guys,” Fitzpatrick said. “I love playing the game. It was a lot of fun being out there.”

A week after holding Cleveland’s Derek Anderson to 2-for-17 passing for 23 yards in a 6-3 loss, Buffalo made things miserable for Sanchez. The rookie was 10 of 29 for 119 yards and the five interceptions, including two by Jairus Byrd, with the last coming by Paul Posluszny to set up the winning drive.

“I don’t know if I could play any worse,” a dejected Sanchez said. “It was totally my fault and I owe these guys a lot.”

The Bills also took advantage of two third-quarter interceptions by Sanchez into a strong wind, getting 10 points to tie it. Ryan said he thought about pulling the rookie, but said he still believed in him.

“Of the six games, three losses, two of them I felt like you can blame No. 6 on offense,” Sanchez said. “That’s not a good feeling. I’ve got to turn this thing around.”

On third-and-7 from the Jets 37, Fitzpatrick avoided a blitz and threw a short pass to Evans, who ran a slant and took off down the middle of the field to tie it at 13 with 2:30 left in the third quarter.

“He stepped in and we didn’t miss a beat,” Evans said of Fitzpatrick.

The crowd at a blustery Meadowlands let the Jets’ defense have it with loud boos.

George Wilson intercepted Sanchez on the Jets’ first possession of the second half, and Lindell kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it 13-6.

Jones’ 71-yard touchdown run, the fifth-longest in team history, gave the Jets a 13-3 lead with 7:31 remaining before halftime.

“When you have a lot of penalties and a lot of turnovers and plays that get called back, just a lot of misfortunes in the game,” Jones said, “you’re not going to win.”

NOTES: Martin had 203 yards rushing against Indianapolis in 2000. … Jauron said safety Donte Whitner left early with an injured ankle, defensive tackle Kyle Williams has an injured shoulder, cornerback Terrence McGee has a bruised chest and tight end Shawn Nelson suffered a concussion. … Bills WR Terrell Owens was held to three catches for 13 yards.