*Losman comes off the bench to lead Bills past Jets*
BUFFALO 13, NY JETS 3 ---------------------
By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- J.P. Losman was bypassed as a starter, but he provided just what the Buffalo Bills needed in relief.
Losman replaced an injured Trent Edwards and engineered a pair of fourth-quarter scoring drives, including an 85-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Lee Evans, as the Bills defeated the New York Jets, 13-3, on Sunday.
Losman, who was just 3-of-5 for 115 yards, also directed the drive that set up the go-ahead score, with Rian Lindell kicking a 40-yard field goal to break a 3-3 tie with 10:06 left in the fourth quarter.
"We said all along that J.P. has handled this situation professionally and prepared himself to play really well," Bills coach Dick Jauron said. "It paid off for him real well today."
Rookie Marshawn Lynch rushed for 21 times for 80 yards for Buffalo (3-4), which has won three of its last four games - the only loss being to Dallas.
While the Bills have emerged as a playoff contender, the Jets (1-7) lost their fifth straight game and their quarterback controversy deepened when Chad Pennington was benched in the fourth quarter in favor of Kellen Clemens.
Losman had been sidelined with an ankle injury, but Jauron elected to stay with rookie Edwards even though the injury had healed.
Edwards suffered a sprained right wrist when he was sacked in the third quarter and was replaced by Losman with 3:23 left in the third quarter.
"It was tough taking the snaps from center," said Edwards, who would not give a time frame on how long he would be sidelined. "J.P. came in and did a great job. I'm excited that we won."
Once Edwards departed, Losman completed a 19-yard pass to Evans to the Jets 27, setting up the go-ahead field goal by Lindell.
Buffalo iced the game when Evans outleaped Jets defensive backs Darrelle Revis and Abram Elam for a long pass and raced to the end zone.
Evans has made no secret that he prefers Losman as the starter.
"He came in and led us with a lot of fire," Evans said.
Jauron would not speculate on his starter for next week against Cincinnati.
"As a player you just swing at as many fastballs that are thrown at you," Losman said. Edwards completed 14-of-21 passes for 130 yards in his first career road start.
While the Bills went with the rookie, Jets coach Eric Mangini elected to remain with Pennington as his starter until replacing him with second-year pro Clemens with 2:28 left. Mangini would not commit to a starter for next week against Washington.
"I'm not sure," Mangini said. "I'll evaluate tomorrow."
Clemens was intercepted by cornerback Terrence McGee on his first drive to end any hopes of a New York comeback. Clemens also was intercepted by George Wilson on the final play of the game.
"My preparation will be the same whether I'm the starter or the backup," Clemens said.
Pennington completed 13-of-20 passes for 106 yards.
"I don't have anything to be ashamed of. It's a tough stretch," Pennington said. "I don't have a lot of answers right now."
The Bills took more than 10 minutes off the clock on the first possession of the game, marching 64 yards in 16 plays before Lindell kicked a 30-yard field goal. Edwards completed all five of his passes for 34 yards on the drive.
The Jets answered with a 15-play drive that lasted 9:25, capped by a 27-yard field goal by Mike Nugent that tied it at 3-3.
New York moved to the Buffalo 18 late in the first half before Leon Washington had the ball stripped away by Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay recovered.
Rookie cornerback Revis recorded his first career interception in the second quarter.
The Jets played without linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who was placed on the injured reserve with a knee problem on Saturday and is done for the season.
