Buffalo Bills win/ AFC East lead/ Josh Allen/ Aaron Rodgers/ Bills vs Jets./ Newslooks/ EAST RUTHERFORD/ N.J./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Buffalo Bills overcame a surprising Hail Mary touchdown by Aaron Rodgers to defeat the New York Jets 23-20. Josh Allen threw two touchdowns, ran for another, and led the Bills in the second half to break a two-game losing streak and claim control of the AFC East.
Bills Secure AFC East Advantage in 23-20 Win Over Jets: Quick Looks
- Josh Allen Leads the Charge: Allen threw for two touchdowns, ran for another, and completed 19 of 25 passes.
- Late Game Heroics: Tyler Bass sealed the win with a 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left.
- Rodgers’ Hail Mary: Rodgers’ 52-yard Hail Mary ended the first half with a touchdown, giving the Jets momentum.
- Missed Opportunities for Jets: Kicker Greg Zuerlein missed two potential go-ahead field goals.
- Bills’ Defense Steps Up: Taron Johnson’s interception of Rodgers’ deep pass ended the Jets’ comeback hopes.
Josh Allen Leads Bills to Gritty 23-20 Victory Over Jets
Deep Look
In a hard-fought battle, the Buffalo Bills emerged victorious over the New York Jets 23-20, with Josh Allen’s dynamic performance leading the team past a dramatic Hail Mary touchdown from Aaron Rodgers. Allen passed for two touchdowns, ran for another, and helped Buffalo secure a critical AFC East advantage on Monday night at MetLife Stadium.
The First Half: Rodgers’ Hail Mary Stuns Bills
Buffalo initially looked poised to go into halftime with a comfortable 10-point lead. But with just seconds remaining in the first half, Rodgers launched a stunning 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Allen Lazard, closing the gap to 20-17. “It was a gut punch,” Allen admitted after the game, describing the surge in Jets momentum after the play.
Allen’s own first-half contributions included a one-yard touchdown run and an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mack Hollins. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 215 yards and rushed for another score, putting the Bills in strong position despite the Jets’ momentum shift.
The Second Half: Bills Capitalize on Jets’ Missed Opportunities
After halftime, the Bills offense faced setbacks but managed to grind out the win. Buffalo’s Tyler Bass missed a 47-yard field goal early in the third quarter, but later redeemed himself with a successful 22-yarder that broke a 20-20 tie with 3:43 left.
The Jets’ kicker, Greg Zuerlein, had a tough night, missing two critical field goals that could have shifted the game in New York’s favor. Both times, Zuerlein’s kicks hit the left upright, resulting in missed scoring opportunities that left the Jets trailing.
With the Jets down by three and driving in the final minutes, Rodgers attempted a deep pass to Mike Williams, but Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, who had recently returned from a broken forearm, made a diving interception to end the Jets’ hopes.
Post-Game Reactions and AFC East Implications
Buffalo’s coach Sean McDermott praised Allen for his resilience and poise in guiding the team to a much-needed victory. “It was a gritty win led by Josh,” McDermott said. Allen echoed the importance of the game, emphasizing that the win provided Buffalo with control over the division as the only AFC East team with a winning record.
For the Jets, the loss came after a challenging week of team changes. The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh and installed Jeff Ulbrich as interim coach, with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett stepping back from play-calling responsibilities in favor of Todd Downing. “Yeah, it was a weird week,” Rodgers remarked post-game. He completed 23 of 35 passes for 294 yards, including two touchdowns and an interception, but noted that the offense fell short of expectations.
Key Plays and Standout Performances
Buffalo’s rookie running back Ray Davis stepped up in James Cook’s absence, carrying 20 times for 97 yards and catching three passes for another 55 yards, offering crucial support to Allen and the Bills’ offense. Meanwhile, the Jets saw promising performances from Rodgers and running back Breece Hall, who rushed for 113 yards and added another 56 yards receiving.
Buffalo’s defense, however, proved formidable. Beyond Johnson’s game-sealing interception, they repeatedly pressured Rodgers, including one hard hit by safety Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp that knocked a potential touchdown out of Garrett Wilson’s grasp in the end zone.
Injury Report
The Jets dealt with additional setbacks as safety Chuck Clark exited the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury, while cornerback D.J. Reed left in the third quarter with a groin injury. Both teams will look to address these issues ahead of next week’s matchups.
Looking Ahead
The Bills will host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday, looking to extend their lead in the AFC East. Meanwhile, the Jets will travel to Pittsburgh for a Sunday night game, hoping to break their three-game losing streak.
With this win, the Bills not only reclaimed momentum but also solidified their standing in the AFC East, showing resilience in the face of unexpected challenges. As Allen put it, “Our No. 1 goal is making the playoffs, and you do that by winning your division. We understand the gravity of this type of game.”
