Bills Come Back in Final Minute to Edge Jets : Pro football: Kelly’s 12-yard pass to Thomas with 51 seconds left gives Buffalo a 24-20 victory.

Thurman Thomas caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jim Kelly with 51 seconds remaining, lifting the Buffalo Bills past the New York Jets, 24-20, Monday night.

Buffalo drove 75 yards in seven plays, using 59 seconds to earn its 10th consecutive victory over the Jets.

Reserve quarterback Ken O’Brien had guided New York 65 yards on a 77-yard drive for a 20-17 lead, with Brad Baxter scoring from the one with 1:50 remaining.

Browning Nagle suffered a shoulder injury early in the drive when hit by Bruce Smith. O’Brien, a 7 1/2-year starter who lost his job to Nagle this season, came in and took the Jets (1-6) from their 35 to the touchdown.

O’Brien found Rob Moore for nine yards, and Blair Thomas ran for six yards. Moore couldn’t make a over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone on O’Brien’s 45-yard pass, but James Williams was called for interference. Baxter scored on the next play.

But the Bills (5-2) got a 34-yard pass from Kelly to Don Beebe to the Jets’ 49. Beebe also caught a 19-yarder on third down to the 30.

After Thomas ran for 18 yards, Kelly found the versatile running back between two defenders in the end zone.

The Bills ended a two-game slump during which they scored only 13 points with a muddled no-huddle attack.

A mini-brawl involving Smith and Nagle erupted on New York’s second possession.

Nagle, scrambling toward the sideline, completed a pass to Ken Whisenhunt and was hit by Smith. Nagle tried to get up, but Smith wouldn’t move. So Nagle pushed Smith, who then appeared to fall back on top of the quarterback.

Jets tackle Irv Eatman then dived on Smith, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

New York took a 3-0 lead on Cary Blanchard’s 42-yard field goal during the first quarter.

Ken Davis’ two-yard touchdown came one play after Thomas gained 20 yards on a sweep in the second quarter.

Blanchard kicked a 40-yarder to make the score 7-6, but Nate Odomes’ interception set up Buffalo’s quick drive at the end of the half for a 14-6 lead.

The Bills took 43 seconds to go 62 yards. Kelly passed to Beebe on passes of 15 and 18 yards and Thomas ran for 13. Davis scored with 12 seconds remaining in the half.

The Jets got their first touchdown in seven quarters and only their third on the ground all season on Pat Chaffey’s one-yard run during the quarter, making the score 14-13. But the Bills responded with Steve Christie’s 33-yard field goal.