ORCHARD PARK — Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee had a game to remember on a day his team would like to forget.

McGahee rushed 26 times for a career-high 150 yards Sunday against the New York Jets.

“It was our offensive line, they were moving them off the ball,” McGahee said of the rushing attack.

He was unable to find the end zone, though, as he’s yet to score through the first three games of the season.

The closest McGahee got to scoring came in the fourth quarter when he was stopped at the 1-yard line by Dewayne Robertson and Jonathan Vilma.

“We just couldn’t finish,” McGahee said.

That was a central theme throughout the contest, as the Bills gained 475 yards to New York’s 256, but scored just two touchdowns to the Jets’ four.



Losman tops 300

It was also a career day for quarterback J.P. Losman, as the third-year man topped 300 yards passing for the first time.

Losman’s previous career high was 224 yards during a 2005 loss at Miami.

Coming off a Week 2 win against the Dolphins in which Losman threw for just 83 yards, he didn’t find much to be happy about Sunday.

“I’d take a W with those stats any day,” he said of the less-flashy numbers against the Dolphins.



Ryan a winner in return home

New York Jets tight end Sean Ryan returned home to Western New York a winner.

A graduate of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Ryan didn’t register a catch, but was on the field for fellow tight end Chris Baker’s 1-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter.

“It feels awesome,” Ryan said. “Definitely coming back and seeing my parents and everything was great. Obviously, to come out of here with a win ... that’s special for the team and it’s special for me as well.”



Wind plays tricks

A persistent wind of about 20 mph made quite a difference in the kicking game, as Roscoe Parrish found out.

The Bills primary punt returner gained just eight yards on two returns. Jets punter Ben Graham put one kick into the end zone for a touchdown and had three kicks go out of bounds, two of which Parrish had an opportunity to return but couldn’t field.

“You would think it’s landing in one spot, but then it would drift over to the left or to the right,” Parrish said.

The wind also impacted the Bills’ field goal unit, as coach Dick Jauron opted to go for a fake field goal in the first quarter rather than try a 53-yard kick with the wind.

“I like the play, it just didn’t work,” the coach said of Brian Moorman’s attempted shuffle pass to Jason Peters that fell incomplete.

In the second quarter, Lindell hit a field goal at the scoreboard-end of the stadium from 36 yards. The wind held the ball up to the point that it appeared the kick might fall short.



Bills honor 1980-81 teams

Before Sunday’s game, the Bills honored the 1980-81 teams as part of alumni weekend.

More than 40 former Bills were on the field, including 25 from those squads.

Hosted by the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation, alumni weekend also featured a charity gala in Niagara Falls on Saturday night and concludes today with a golf tournament at Lancaster Country Club.



3 things to know

1. The Bills fell to 1-2 on the season with a 28-20 loss to the visiting New York Jets. All three of Buffalo's games this season have been against AFC East opponents.

2. Quarterback J.P. Losman set a career high with 328 yards passing. Running back Willis McGahee also had a career day, rushing for 150 yards.

3. Jets tight end Sean Ryan was victorious in his return to Western New York. Ryan is a graduate of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute.



Player of the game

Willis McGahee

The anticipated meeting of former University of Miami teammates Jonathan Vilma and McGahee went in favor of the Billls. McGahee gained a career-high 150 yards on 26 carries, good for a 5.8-yards per carry average.

Unfortunately for the Bills, McGahee's work was limited in the second half as the team had to throw the ball more.



Play of the game

Things couldn't have gone much better for the Bills in the first few plays of the game, highlighted by J.P. Losman and Roscoe Parrish hooking up for a 51-yard touchdown pass. The play was Buffalo's longest of the season and sent the Ralph Wilson Stadium crowd into a frenzy.

On the play, Losman beat the blitz and got the ball to Parrish, who made one defender miss and then outran the defense to the end zone.



Injury report

Fullback Daimon Shelton left the game with an unspecified head injury. Coach Dick Jauron said Shelton's condition wasn't immediately available.

The coach also said he wasn't aware of any other injuries.



It’s a sign

The best sign of the day wasn’t at the Ralph, but in front of Union Pres Church in Blasdell which read simply: “In heaven, Norwood makes that kick.”

Hallelujah.



Attendance

For the 24th time in the past 25 games, a capacity crowd filled the Ralph. The announced attendance was 72,067.

Next up

The Bills get their look at an NFC team when the Minnesota Vikings visit Ralph Wilson Stadium for a 1 p.m. game Sunday.

— Jay Skurski





Contact Jay Skurski at 693-1000, Ext. 117.