Rodgers’ Hail Mary in vain as new Jets era starts with sloppy loss to Bills

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills overcame a first-half touchdown throw from Aaron Rodgers to outlast the New York Jets 23-20 on Monday night and take control of the AFC East.

Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and Tyler Bass made up for an earlier miss by kicking a go-ahead 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left to help the Bills (4-2) snap a two-game skid . They have never lost three in a row with Allen starting at quarterback.

The loss was the third in a row for the Jets (2-4), who capped a tumultuous week in which coach Robert Saleh was fired, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich replaced him as interim coach and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was demoted from the playoffs . the calling of duties in favor of Todd Downing.

Greg Zuerlein, usually a reliable kicker, missed two would-be field goals for the Jets, hitting the left upright on both attempts. The match was also filled with penalty flags all night long – each team had 11.

The Jets were on the offensive early, with Downing making the call as Rodgers got New York into the red zone. A fall by Hall on third down left the Jets settling for a 34-yard field goal from Zuerlein — New York’s first points on an opening drive this season.

Buffalo bounced back by running through New York’s entire defense, rushing Ulbrich’s unit for 61 yards – including 48 on six carries from Davis – and capping the Bills’ opening drive with a one-yard keeper from Allen to cap the to make it 7-3. Allen’s 56th career TD run put him one behind OJ Simpson for second in franchise history.

Garrett Wilson gave the Jets the lead back on their next drive, capping things off by catching a five-yard pass from Rodgers in the back of the end zone and putting both feet on a play that was initially ruled incomplete but was previously ruled out. reversed on video replay. Ulbrich had to challenge.

Allen then led the Bills on a 90-yard drive to give Buffalo the lead back, capped by an eight-yard TD pass to Mack Hollins. Quinnen Williams got his hand on Bass’ extra point attempt, which sailed wide left. Allen sparked the drive when he danced out of the end zone, scrambled to his right and threw across his body through the middle of the field, where Davis got his hands on the ball, bobbled it and came down with it for a 42-yard catch. . Allen’s second touchdown pass was a 12-yard throw to Dawson Knox with 21 seconds left before halftime, putting Buffalo up 20–10.

But the scoring in the first half wasn’t over yet. Rodgers’ deep throw on the final play of the half had the Jets, their fans – and social media – in an uproar. With the Jets at their own 48 and perhaps hoping to get into field goal range before halftime, Rodgers took a few steps back and danced around before launching the ball toward the end zone. Allen Lazard reached out in front of two Bills defenders and fell on his back. After a brief meeting, the officials ruled it a touchdown and the score was 20-17 for the Bills heading into the second half.

Bass missed another punt on Buffalo’s opening drive of the second half on a windy evening, pushing a 47-yard wide right. Zuerlein tied the score at 20-20 midway through the third quarter with a 22-yarder.

The Jets looked to take the lead late on their next possession when Braelon Allen ran up the middle from four yards out, but left tackle Tyron Smith was called for holding. Rodgers connected with Wilson in the back of the end zone on the next play, but the wide receiver couldn’t hold onto the ball after being beaten by Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp.

Zuerlein then hit the left upright on a 32-yard attempt to keep the game tied. He also missed a potential go-ahead 43-yarder with 9:44 left in the fourth quarter, setting him up again.

With the Jets trailing 23-20 late, Rodgers threw deep for Mike Williams, but the pass was short and Taron Johnson – back after breaking his forearm in the season opener – came up with the interception. Allen and the Bills were then able to run out the clock and seal the victory. They are the only team in the division with a winning record.

Allen finished 19 of 25 for 215 yards. Rookie Ray Davis, filling in for the injured James Cook, ran for 97 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 55 yards. Rodgers was 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two touchdowns and the interception, and Breece Hall had 113 yards rushing and 56 receiving.