Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills expected to go into halftime against the New York Jets with a 10-point lead and a lot of momentum.
That changed when Aaron Rodgers made an incredible 52-yard Hail Mary pass that excited the Jets and their fans and lit up social media. “Kind of a gut punch,” Allen said.
However, Allen and the Bills bounced back from Rodgers’ touchdown throw to win 23-20 on Monday night, taking early control of the AFC East.
“Fighting through adversity, getting in at halftime, regrouping, saying let’s just control one play at a time,” Allen said. “We didn’t score as many points as I’d like in the second half, but found a way.”
Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score. Tyler Bass kicked a crucial 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left, helping the Bills (4-2) end a two-game losing streak. They have never lost three games in a row with Allen as their starting quarterback.
“It was a gritty win led by Josh,” coach Sean McDermott said.
For the Jets (2-4), this marked their third straight loss, following a chaotic week. Coach Robert Saleh was fired, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich took over as interim coach, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was demoted from calling plays in favor of Todd Downing.
“Yeah, it was a weird week,” Rodgers said.
Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein missed two chances to put his team ahead, hitting the left upright both times. The game also featured a lot of penalties, with both teams receiving 11.
Allen completed 19 of 25 passes for 215 yards. Rookie Ray Davis, stepping in for the injured James Cook, rushed for 97 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 55 yards.
As the Jets trailed 23-20 in the closing minutes, Rodgers threw deep for Mike Williams, but the pass fell short. Taron Johnson, who returned after breaking his right forearm in the season opener, made a diving interception.
Williams was checked for a head injury after the play. Allen and the Bills then ran out the clock to secure the win. They are the only team in the AFC East with a winning record.
“Our No. 1 goal is making the playoffs, and you do that by winning your division,” Allen said. “We understand the gravity of this type of game, us being 4-2 with a 2 1/2-game lead with a head-to-head win, as opposed to being 3-3 and in second place.”
Rodgers finished 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while Breece Hall had 113 yards rushing and 56 receiving.
“I thought we were going to have a big night on offense,” Rodgers said. It certainly looked like they were headed for that.
With the Jets at their own 48 and likely trying to get into field goal range before halftime, Rodgers took a few steps back and moved around before throwing the ball toward the end zone. Allen Lazard jumped up between two Bills defenders and landed on his back.
After a quick discussion, the officials ruled it a touchdown. “When you catch those waves of momentum, you’ve got to ride it,” Ulbrich said. “And you’ve got to finish a team, which we didn’t do.”
The Jets started strong on offense with Downing calling the plays, and Rodgers got New York into the red zone. They settled for a 34-yard field goal by Zuerlein, marking the Jets’ first points on an opening drive this season.
Buffalo responded by rushing for 61 yards, including 48 yards on six carries by Davis, finishing their opening drive with a 1-yard run by Allen to take a 7-3 lead.
Allen’s 56th career rushing touchdown put him just one behind O.J. Simpson for second place in franchise history.
Garrett Wilson put the Jets back in front on their next drive with a 5-yard touchdown catch. It was initially called incomplete but was reversed on video review before Ulbrich needed to challenge.
Allen then led the Bills on a 90-yard drive to regain the lead, ending with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mack Hollins. Quinnen Williams got his hand on Bass’ extra point attempt, which missed wide left.
Allen’s second touchdown pass was a 12-yard throw to Dawson Knox with 21 seconds left before halftime, putting Buffalo up 20-10.
Bass missed a 47-yard field goal on Buffalo’s first drive of the second half. Zuerlein tied the game at 20 with a 22-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.
The Jets seemed ready to take the lead late in their next possession when Braelon Allen ran up the middle from 4 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 a hit from Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp.
Zuerlein then hit the left upright on a 32-yard attempt, keeping the game tied. He also missed a chance to take the lead with a 43-yard field goal, hitting the upright again with 9:44 left in the fourth quarter.
