East Rutherford, NJ — The Buffalo Bills survived a thrilling Hail Mary touchdown by Aaron Rodgers to defeat the New York Jets 23-20 in a penalty-laden game on Monday night. Bills kicker Tyler Bass sealed the victory with a 22-yard field goal with just 3:43 left, and Buffalo’s defense intercepted a late Rodgers pass to snap a two-game losing streak.
Josh Allen Leads the Charge
Bills quarterback Josh Allen was efficient, completing 19-of-25 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a score in the first quarter. This marked the 21st game of Allen’s career with multiple passing touchdowns and at least one rushing score, placing him just behind Cam Newton’s record of 22. Despite Buffalo’s offensive lull in the second half, Allen acknowledged the team’s need to clean up penalties but celebrated the hard-fought win: “The first half was very good, and we’ve got to find a way in that second half to keep that momentum going.”
Ray Davis Emerges as a Key Player
Rookie running back Ray Davis stepped up in place of the injured James Cook, rushing for 97 yards on 20 carries and adding 55 receiving yards. Davis was instrumental in the Bills’ opening drive, contributing 48 yards on six carries. His hard running and a diving 42-yard reception made him a standout performer in Buffalo’s victory.
Rodgers’ Hail Mary Heroics Not Enough
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, playing in his first game since New York fired head coach Robert Saleh, delivered a Hail Mary touchdown pass to Allen Lazard at the end of the first half, reducing Buffalo’s lead to 20-17. The 52-yard miracle marked Rodgers’ fourth career Hail Mary completion, the most by any NFL player since 1970. Despite Rodgers completing 23-of-35 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns, the Jets fell short.
Missed opportunities haunted New York, particularly two failed field goal attempts by kicker Greg Zuerlein, who hit the uprights twice on a windy night at MetLife Stadium. Rodgers’ final pass, aimed at a potential game-winning drive, was intercepted in the last two minutes, closing the game in Buffalo’s favor.
Post-Saleh Changes Show Mixed Results
The Jets played their first game under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich after firing Saleh earlier in the week. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing took over play-calling duties from Nathaniel Hackett, and early results seemed promising as New York scored on its first two offensive possessions to take a 10-7 lead. However, penalties plagued the Jets, with 11 flags for 110 yards, mirroring the Bills’ 11 penalties for 94 yards.
Despite flashes of offensive success, New York faltered defensively and struggled to recover after Rodgers’ late-game interception, falling to 2-4 on the season.
Penalties Mar the Contest
Both teams suffered from sloppy play, combining for 22 penalties. A holding call erased a Braelon Allen touchdown for the Jets, contributing to their inability to pull ahead in the second half. While Buffalo held strong defensively, the Jets’ miscues on both sides of the ball proved too much to overcome.