A severe weather warning was issued for the Meadowlands area on Monday afternoon. Fans were told to expect strong winds. They were advised to take care of the barbecues and stick to their tents. They should have been warned: keep your hats on too.
But who could have predicted this? Who could have predicted how this night would turn out? Who would have thought that two bouts of stuttering would result in such an electrifying first half going back and forth?
Who would have thought – during the break, with such a perfectly prepared match – that it would turn into a boring flag festival?
Who would have thought that a game in which two kicks bounced off the post and two total misses would ultimately be decided by a field goal?
In the end, the Bills condemned the Jets to a 23-20 defeat, and a new era in New York began with even more frustration.
Aaron Rodgers threw an interception late in the game as the Jets were defeated by the Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen led the Bills to a key victory at MetLife Stadium on Monday night
In their first game under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and new signal-caller Todd Downing, the Jets had no trouble moving the ball.
Breece Hall rushed for 113 yards, which was almost double his next-best mark in those six games, and Aaron Rodgers' Achilles lasted more than four snaps and passed for a season-high 294 yards.
He threw two touchdowns, including a remarkable 52-yard Hail Mary to Allen Lazard that prevented the night from slipping away from New York before halftime.
Rodgers has denied suggestions that he was involved in the sacking of Robert Salih. Why are these allegations always ignored? Other quarterbacks may also have something to say about the Jets' future. And when the game came at a crucial moment, Josh Allen succeeded where Rodgers had failed.
With less than four minutes on the clock – with the Jets trailing by three points – Rodgers got the ball. He moved New York 10 yards downfield. And then he intercepted the ball – just like he did last week in London.
Moments later, with the game in hand and the Bills on 3rd and 4, Allen threw for the game-tying first down. Six yards that could prove crucial in both teams' seasons.
By then, MetLife Stadium was virtually empty, and much of the optimism surrounding the new start was gone. The Jets are now 2-4; The Bills are two wins atop the AFC East.
Rodgers arrived at the game in a navy blue suit and dark sunglasses shortly before clouds enveloped the Meadowlands and bitter winds whipped the MetLife parking lots.
Early birds wrapped up in the cold to watch the Mets on screens big and small. Flagpoles bent in the wind, smoke rose sideways from the grills. It started to rain, and for a while the swirling debris made it look like it was snowing too.
Things aren't that grim yet. But it's been another tumultuous week in New York. Saleh was fired just days after the loss to Minnesota in London, and the league soon came out of the locker room when one player slammed his “selfish…embarrassing” teammates.”
Compare that to the last time the Bills were in town. On the evening of the 2023 MNF kickoff, Rodgers took the field carrying an American flag and carrying his hopes for the franchise on his shoulders.
Even when the unthinkable happened a few snaps later, the night ended with a dramatic overtime victory. It was the climax of a disastrous season. This year was supposed to be different. Instead, after five games, the Jets have scored the same number of points as they did in 2023 when Zach Wilson was under center.
Unsurprisingly, Rodgers' entry on Monday was rather restrained. No wonder Salih paid with his work.
The first drive of this new era ended with Rodgers slamming into the bench in frustration. This year, however, his Achilles was intact and the quarterback led the Jets down the field with more fluidity than he had for much of the season.
They had to settle for a field goal, but the fuse was lit. Buffalo responded with a ferocious attack of its own, with Ray Davis – taking over for the absent James Cook – racking up 48 yards in six passes before Josh Allen scored from the one-yard line.
The guests scored 70 yards in nine actions and 4 minutes 54. So the Jets went 70 yards in nine plays and took 4 minutes and 11 seconds. Rodgers found Garrett Wilson in the end zone and New York took the lead again.
It was breathtaking, brilliant stuff. Unfortunately for the Jets, it didn't last long. They gained 124 yards on their first two drives. Their next two scored two punts, two sacks on Rodgers and just 26 yards.
But Allen wasn't done. The Bills' offense has stalled as their season has fallen into trouble in recent weeks. But he soon found Mack Hollins in the end zone. Boos soon erupted around MetLife as penalties were assessed against the Jets and the Bills found themselves in the red zone again. This time, Allen avoided another sack and picked off Dawson Knox.
Suddenly, with just 21 seconds on the clock, the Jets were down 10 seconds and looking down the barrel. Miraculously, there was still time for another twist. On the final play of the half, Rodgers stood at the 52-yard line and threw a Hail Mary into the swirling wind.
In the end zone, Lazard rose highest. Touchdown. Suddenly the stage was set for a shooting.
Unfortunately, officials began to take over. The third quarter brought three points and nine penalties. There was another one during the break. Just for good measure
By then the match had become almost impossible to watch. Braelon Allen thought he had given the Jets the lead, but his touchdown was called back. Of course.
The Jets missed a field goal that would have given them the lead. And then they fumbled another one early in the fourth quarter. Both of Greg Zuerlein's attempts hit the left post. Earlier in the evening, Tyler Bass failed on a field goal and conversion.
Trailing with less than four minutes remaining, Bass finally found his range from 22 yards out. Rodgers had no answer.
