Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills overcame a Hail Mary touchdown throw by Aaron Rodgers at the end of the first half to beat 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 still never lost three straight with Allen starting at quarterback.
The loss was the third in a row for the Jets (2-4), who capped a tumultuous week during which coach Robert Saleh was fired, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich replaced him as the interim coach and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was demoted from play-calling duties in favour of Todd Downing.
Their usually-reliable kicker Greg Zuerlein missed two potential go-ahead field goals for the Jets, hitting the left upright on both. The game was filled with yellow penalty flags all night – both teams recording 11 penalties.
Allen finished 19 of 25 for 215 yards, while rookie Ray Davis, filling in for the injured James Cook, ran for 97 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 55 yards.
With the Jets trailing 23-20, Rodgers threw deep for Mike Williams but the pass was short and Taron Johnson – back after breaking his right forearm in the season opener – came up with the interception.
Allen and the Bills were able to then run out the clock and seal the win. They are the only team in the division with a winning record.
Rodgers was 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two touchdowns and the interception, while Breece Hall had 113 yards rushing and 56 receiving.
Rodgers’ deep throw on the final play of the opening half had the Jets, their fans – and social media – buzzing. With the Jets at their own 48 and perhaps hoping to get into field goal range before half-time, Rodgers took a few steps back and danced around before launching the ball toward the end zone, where Allen Lazard reached up in front of two Bills defenders before falling on his back.
After a quick huddle, officials ruled it a touchdown.
Stats leaders
Buffalo Bills
- Passing: Josh Allen, 19/25, 215 yards, 2 TDs
- Rushing: Ray Davis, 20 carries, 97 yards
- Receiving: Ray Davis, 3 catches, 55 yards
New York Jets
- Passing: Aaron Rodgers, 23/35, 294 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- Rushing: Breece Hall, 18 carries, 113 yards
- Receiving: Allen Lazard, 6 catches, 114 yards
The Jets got in an early rhythm on offense with Downing calling the plays as Rodgers got New York into the red zone. A drop by Hall on third down made the Jets settle for a 34-yard field goal by Zuerlein – New York’s first points on an opening drive this season.
Buffalo bounced back by running all over New York’s defense, gashing Ulbrich’s unit for 61 yards rushing – including 48 on six carries by Davis – and capping the Bills’ opening drive with a one-yard keeper by Allen to make it 7-3.
Allen’s 56th career touchdown run put him one behind OJ Simpson for second in franchise history.
Garrett Wilson gave the Jets back the lead on their next drive, capping things by catching a five-yard pass from Rodgers in the back of the end zone and getting both feet down on a play that was initially ruled incomplete but reversed on video replay before Ulbrich needed to challenge.
Allen led the Bills on a 90-yard drive to give Buffalo back the lead, capped by an eight-yard touchdown pass to Mack Hollins. Quinnen Williams got his hand on Bass’ extra point try that sailed wide left.
Allen sparked the drive when he escaped the end zone, scrambled to his right and threw across his body down 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.
His second touchdown pass was a 12-yard throw to Dawson Knox with 21 seconds remaining before half-time to put Buffalo up 20-10.
Bass missed another kick on Buffalo’s opening drive of the second half, pushing a 47-yarder wide right, before Zuerlein tied it at 20 with a 22-yarder midway through the third quarter.
The Jets appeared 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 hit by Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp.
Zuerlein then struck 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, hitting the upright again.
Scoring summary
What was said?
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers: “It was a weird week. It’s frustrating. I’m here to win those games, but we’ve got to be on our details. It’s little things every single time. I think there’s concern, but that’s important. We need to maybe get going. This was a golden opportunity. Some games you win in the NFL and some games you give away. This was a giveaway.”
Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich: “When you catch those waves of momentum, you’ve got to ride it. And you’ve got to finish a team, which we didn’t do.”
Bills quarterback Josh Allen: “Fighting through adversity, getting in at half-time, regrouping, saying let’s just control one play at a time. We didn’t score as many points as I’d like in the second half, but found a way.”
What’s next?
The Bills host the Tennessee Titans (1-4) on Sunday in Week Seven, while the Jets continue their season on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2).
Week Seven begins on Thursday night when the New Orleans Saints (2-4) meet the Denver Broncos (3-3), live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.15am in the early hours of Friday.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TVstreaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Stream The new EFL season, Test cricket and more top sport with NOW.
