Buffalo Knocks Out Esiason, Then Jets : AFC: Thomas runs for 133 yards as Buffalo wins fourth game in a row, 29-10.

It probably wouldn’t have mattered who the New York Jets brought off the bench. Once Bruce Smith and Thurman Thomas started clicking, there was little stopping the Buffalo Bills.

Smith knocked Boomer Esiason out of the game in the second quarter with a “violent” hit that caused a concussion, Thomas rushed for 133 yards and Steve Christie kicked five field goals en route to Buffalo’s 29-10 victory Sunday.

“I tried to deliver a blow and do my job,” Smith said. “Another part of me wondered why I didn’t push him down. . . . I have never taken part in a play in my career that was so violent. I was concerned for his safety.”

On the big play, Smith beat Everett McIver, who was making his first start at left tackle. McIver false-started and then there was a late whistle.

“The whistle, when it was blown, was so late that Bruce Smith was already on the quarterback,” referee Bob McElwee said. “The whistle was blown when he was tackled.”

Esiason was knocked unconscious and laid on the turf for at least four minutes. He was groggy as he walked off the field with 13:24 remaining in the second quarter and did not return.

Esiason, who might miss the Jets’ game next week at Carolina, still was trying to regain his memory more than two hours after the game. The way the Jets played, it might be better if the veteran quarterback forgot the game altogether.

“When Bruce lit up Boomer, [McIver] was in motion,” Buffalo linebacker Bryce Paup said. “He was nervous about blocking Bruce. That should tell you something.”

Buffalo (4-1), which won its fourth in a row, played sloppy on offense much of the day, but scored 10 points during a 10-second span late in the first half. Then the Bills ran away from the Jets (1-5) in the second half.

The Bills, who registered four sacks, were in the New York backfield much of the day. They allowed only 51 yards rushing and 173 yards in total offense.

The Jets had four turnovers, put together only one scoring drive and had 12 penalties for 79 yards. They have lost by 19 points or more three times this season.

“To lose the way we’re losing is disheartening,” Jet Coach Rich Kotite said. “It makes it so difficult to even get back in the ballgame. The only remedy I know is hard work, concentration and playing hard.”

Esiason completed four of eight passes for 46 yards before being sidelined. Bubby Brister played the rest of the game and completed 13 of 23 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown.

The Bills rushed for 221 yards and went over the 100-yard mark for the first time since Oct. 9, 1994.