EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills entered Monday night’s game against the New York Jets confident, aiming to take a 10-point lead into halftime. However, that plan was dramatically altered by a stunning 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers, which electrified Jets fans and took social media by storm.
“Kind of felt like a gut punch,” Allen remarked about the unexpected turn of events.
Despite the shock from Rodgers’ incredible throw, which tied the game just before halftime, the Bills managed to regroup and secure a narrow 23-20 victory. This win was crucial for them, helping to establish early dominance in the AFC East division with a record of 4-2. “We focused on overcoming adversity, taking it one play at a time,” Allen said. “We didn’t score as much in the second half as I would have liked, but we found a way to win.”
Allen threw two touchdown passes and added another rushing touchdown, while Tyler Bass redeemed himself after an earlier missed kick by scoring a go-ahead 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left. With this victory, the Bills preserved their record of never losing three consecutive games with Allen as their starting quarterback.
“It was a gritty win led by Josh,” Coach Sean McDermott stated.
On the flip side, the Jets (2-4) faced their third consecutive loss following a tumultuous week of shake-ups, which saw head coach Robert Saleh dismissed, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich stepping in as interim coach, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett being demoted in favor of Todd Downing.
New York had its moments, as kicker Greg Zuerlein missed two crucial field goals late in the game, hitting the left upright both times, which ultimately cost the Jets a chance to regain the lead. The game was plagued with penalties, as both teams committed 11 fouls each, adding to the chaos.
Allen completed 19 of 25 passes for 215 yards, while rookie Ray Davis, stepping in for the injured James Cook, rushed for 97 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 55 yards. In the final minutes, with the score at 23-20, Rodgers attempted a deep pass to Mike Williams, but it fell short, leading to a crucial interception by Taron Johnson, who had just returned from a broken forearm sustained in the season opener. Williams was evaluated for a head injury after the play, further complicating matters for the Jets.
Late in the game, the Bills managed to run down the clock effectively to secure the win, leaving them as the only team in the AFC East with a winning record. “Our primary goal is to reach the playoffs, and we know that starts with winning the division,” Allen expressed. “Being 4-2 gives us a comfortable lead versus being 3-3.”
Rodgers finished with 23 of 35 completions for 294 yards, throwing two touchdown passes but also being intercepted once. Breece Hall had an impressive outing with 113 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards, contributing significantly to the Jets’ offensive efforts.
The Jets showed early promise, as offensive coordinator Downing got them to productive plays, leading to Zuerlein’s 34-yard field goal, marking the first points for the Jets in an opening drive this season. The Bills quickly answered by dominating Ulbrich’s defense, capping their opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Allen, moving the score to 7-3.
After the Jets briefly retook the lead with a 5-yard touchdown reception by Garrett Wilson—initially ruled incomplete but overturned on review—the lead switched back to Buffalo when Allen threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mack Hollins. Closing out the half, Allen connected with Dawson Knox for a 12-yard touchdown just before halftime, extending their lead to 20-10.
Buffalo’s momentum faced a setback when Bass missed a 47-yard attempt early in the second half. Zuerlein, however, connected on a 22-yarder midway through the third quarter to tie the game at 20-20. As the game continued, an impressive drive from the Jets faltered due to a holding penalty, and once again, Zuerlein’s potential go-ahead attempts fell short.
Injuries
Jets Safety Chuck Clark was ruled out in the second quarter due to an ankle injury, and cornerback D.J. Reed left the game in the third quarter with a groin issue.
Up next
Bills: They will host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Jets: A confrontation with the Pittsburgh Steelers awaits them on Sunday night.
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