Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets 23-20 on Monday night after Aaron Rodgers' first-half Hail Mary touchdown to clinch the AFC East.
Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, and Tyler Bass kicked a 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left to correct an earlier mistake and help the Bills (4-2) snap a two-game skid. . They have never lost three in a row under Allen's quarterback.
The third straight loss for the Jets (2-4) capped off a busy week. Then coach Robert Saleh was fired, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich replaced him as interim coach and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was demoted from play-calling duties in favor of Todd Downing.
Greg Zuerlein, normally a reliable kicker, missed two potential go-ahead field goals for the Jets, hitting the left upright on both attempts. The game was littered with penalty flags throughout the night – each team had 11.
The Jets got into an early rhythm as Rodgers brought New York into the red zone and Downing called the plays. A drop by Hall on third down set the Jets up for a 34-yard field goal by Zuerlein – New York's first points on an opening drive this season.
Buffalo ran all over New York's defense, rushing Ulbricht's unit for 61 yards – including 48 on six carries by Davis – and Allen capped the Bills' opening drive with a one-yard keeper to make it 7-3. Allen's 56th career TD run tied him for second in franchise history behind OJ Simpson.
Garrett Wilson put the Jets back in front on their next drive, catching a five-yard pass from Rodgers in the back of the end zone, dropping both feet, and was initially ruled incomplete but later overturned on video replay. Ulbrich had to challenge.
Allen then led the Bills on a 90-yard drive to give Buffalo the lead again, scoring on an eight-yard TD pass to Mack Hollins. Quinnen got a hand on the extra point attempt off a Williams pass that sailed wide left. Allen sparked the drive as he danced out of the end zone, rustling to his right and throwing across his body to the middle of the field, where Davis got his hands on the ball, scooped it up and came down with it for a 42-yard catch. . Allen's second touchdown pass, a 12-yard throw to Dawson Knox, with 21 seconds left put Buffalo up 20-10 before halftime.
But could not score in the first half. Rodgers' deep throw on the final play of the half sent the Jets, their fans – and social media – into a frenzy. At the Jets' own 48 and hoping to get within 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 quick fumble, the officials ruled it a touchdown and the score was 20-17 to the Bills in the second half.
On a windy night, Bass missed another kick on Buffalo's opening drive of the second half, a 47-footer wide right. Zuerlin tied the score at 20-20 with a 22-yarder midway through the third quarter.
The Jets took the lead late on their next possession when Braylon 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 catch the ball after being walloped by Tamar Hamlin and Taylor Robb.
Zuerlein hit the left upright on a 32-yard attempt to tie the game. He also missed an upright 43-yarder with 9:44 left in the fourth quarter.
With the Jets trailing 23-20 late, Rodgers threw deep to Mike Williams, but the pass was short and Darren Johnson – after breaking his forearm earlier in the season – came up with the interception. Allen and the Bills were able to run out the clock and seal the win. They are the only team with a winning record in the division.
Allen completed 19 of 25 for 215 yards. Rookie Ray Davis, who replaced the injured James Cook, rushed 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 an interception, and Brees Hall had 113 yards rushing and 56 receiving.
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