EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Buffalo Bills drafted Jairus Byrd because of his knack

for making big plays. Little did they know he would rub off on the rest of the defense.

The rookie safety intercepted two passes on Sunday, setting the tone for a performance

that saw the Bills record six interceptions. It was the most pickoffs in a game by the Bills

since 1967.

"Turnovers are contagious," said safety George Wilson, who had one of the interceptions.

"Once they start coming, sometimes they don't stop. Obviously, Jairus got the ball rolling for

us. When he got his, everybody just started to feed off them."

The Bills had designs on making Byrd a starter after drafting him in the second round out

of Oregon. They love his nose for the ball as evidenced by his 17 career interceptions as a

cornerback.

But his move into the starting lineup was by necessity because of injuries to Donte

Whitner and Bryan Scott. Whitner returned Sunday at Scott's strong safety spot, while Byrd

remained at free safety.

It's a position he might own for a long time.

"I'm just learning with every game I play," Byrd said. "Guys like Donte and George and the

other guys are helping me a lot. As a young guy, I'm just out there playing mostly on

instincts. They keep me calm so I can do the things I'm capable of."

Byrd displayed his abilities early in the game with a diving interception. The pass was

intended for Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards, but he tipped the ball and Byrd caught it

while falling to the ground.

His second interception was a jump ball situation where the pass hung in the air because

of the wind and he was able to position himself in front of Edwards.

"On the first one, I was expecting to make a big hit, but the ball bounced off [Edwards']

hands and into mine," said Byrd, who stretched out to make a diving interception last week

against the Cleveland Browns. "[On the second interception] I actually mis-timed my jump, but

I got my hands around the ball. [Edwards] tried to take it away from me, but I was able to

hold on to it."

Head coach Dick Jauron was impressed by Byrd's performance.

"He makes unbelievable plays on the ball," Jauron said. "He has terrific ball skills. He's

just a really good player."

Byrd had a good feel for the opponent because he faced Jets rookie quarterback Mark

Sanchez last season when Sanchez played at Southern California.

Byrd said the Bills' defense took advantage of Sanchez's inexperience by disguising

coverages. When he wasn't locking onto his intended targets, Sanchez was putting balls up for

grabs.

"He was a little careless with the ball," Byrd said. I played him when he was at USC, so I

knew what kind of quarterback he was," Byrd said. "I didn't expect five [interceptions], but

we'll take it."

The Bills' takeaway fest was all the more impressive considering the constant changes in

the secondary. Wilson stepped in when Whitner hurt his ankle. Cornerback Reggie Corner stepped

in for injured starter Terrence McGee and made a critical interception in the fourth quarter.

Safety John Wendling made the fifth interception on a pass from Jets punter Steve

Weatherford, who tried to throw after mishandling a snap on a potential field goal attempt in

overtime. Middle linebacker Paul Posluszny, who returned from a broken arm, had the final

pick, which set up Rian Lindell's game-winning field goal in the extra period.

"We pride ourselves when somebody goes down you just got to be ready," Byrd said. "That's

what [secondary] coach George [Catavolos] preaches in our meeting room. You never know when

your chance is going to come. When our chances came everybody was ready, and we went out there

and showed it."

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