EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rex Ryan’s return to the Meadowlands was a successful one thanks to his pride and joy, the defense.

Buffalo’s defense shut down Ryan’s former team for much of Thursday night, and the Bills scored on offense and special teams in a 22-17 victory against the New York Jets.

Duke Williams returned a fumbled kickoff 19 yards for the go-ahead points, rookie Karlos Williams had a 26-yard touchdown catch and Dan Carpenter kicked three field goals. Buffalo (5-4) moved into the wild-card playoff picture while the Jets (5-4) have lost three of their last four games.

Ryan was fired by the Jets after six seasons and immediately hired by Buffalo last January. His defense had two interceptions, recovered a fumble and stopped the Jets inside the Bills’ 10 in the final minutes, prompting some vigorous fist pumps that Ryan repeated when Bacarri Rambo clinched it with a last-minute interception.

Buffalo’s offense made just enough key plays and held off a late surge by the Jets after Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for two touchdowns.

The “Rexception” before the game was tame, with some boos, a few cheers, nothing over the top. The loudest catcalls came when former Jets defensive end IK Enemkpali, chosen by Ryan as a team captain for the game, came out for the coin toss. Enemkpali infamously broke Jets quarterback Geno Smith’s jaw with a punch in the preseason, was cut and claimed the next day by Buffalo.

Hardly a wallflower, Ryan, wearing a red vest, almost was lost on the sideline among his players in their garish scarlet uniforms. And the fans seemed to forget about him once the action began.

That early action was dominated by some fierce defense. New York’s blitzes kept Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor off-balance, and Buffalo got its first three points thanks to Corey Graham’s interception off a bobble by Jets receiver Brandon Marshall. Carpenter kicked a 47-yard field goal to make it 3-3.

Williams added to that immediately, scooping up a fumble by rookie Devin Smith on the first kickoff return of his career. Williams scooted 9 yards for a 9-3 lead but Carpenter missed the extra point wide left.

Carpenter added a 41-yard field goal to make it 12-3 at halftime, then kicked a 29-yarder midway through the third period after Chris Ivory’s fumble.

PATRIOTS: New England signed linebacker Eric Martin from the practice squad, released linebacker Dewey McDonald and signed defensive lineman Robert Thomas to the practice squad.

Martin, 24, played in the opening game against Pittsburgh, was released Sept. 12 and signed to the practice squad Sept. 16. He played 29 games for Cleveland in 2013-14.

RAIDERS: Running back Latavius Murray practiced for the first time since suffering a concussion and is optimistic about his chances of playing against Minnesota.

Four days after being forced out of a game in Pittsburgh following a powerful helmet-to-facemask hit, Murray took part in position drills.

VIKINGS: Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to full participation in practice, a significant step forward in his recovery from a concussion.

BEARS: Defensive tackle Ego Ferguson became the second Chicago player in three days to be suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

n Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery missed practice with a groin injury he sustained a day earlier.

JAGUARS: Receiver Allen Hurns missed his second straight day of practice but still expects to play at Baltimore.