Buffalo Bills Secure Victory
The Buffalo Bills secured a 23-20 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey, overcoming a dramatic Hail Mary touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers just before halftime. Tyler Bass kicked a 22-yard field goal with 3:43 remaining, and cornerback Taron Johnson sealed the win by intercepting a Rodgers throw in the final two minutes. This victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Bills, improving their record to 4-2.
Jets’ Coaching Changes
The Jets played their first game after firing head coach Robert Saleh, promoting defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to interim coach and demoting offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, handing play-calling duties to Todd Downing. The changes seemed to have an immediate impact, as New York scored a field goal and a touchdown on their first two offensive drives, taking a 10-7 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Allen’s Impressive Performance
Quarterback Josh Allen delivered an impressive performance, completing 19 of 25 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown in the first quarter. According to the NFL, this marked the 21st game of Allen’s career in which he had multiple passing touchdowns and at least one rushing score, placing him just behind Cam Newton’s record of 22 in that category. Josh Allen reflected on the game, saying, “The first half was strong, and we need to maintain that momentum in the second half. There’s a lot to learn from, as we got a bit sloppy towards the end with some penalties, but overall, it was a team win.”
Contributions from Ray Davis
Second-year running back Ray Davis stepped up in the absence of James Cook, who was sidelined with a toe injury. Davis rushed 20 times for 97 yards and added 55 receiving yards, contributing significantly to the victory.
Rodgers’ Stunning Hail Mary
However, the Jets’ lead was short-lived. Josh Allen responded in the second quarter, connecting on touchdown passes to receiver Mack Hollins and tight end Dawson Knox, helping Buffalo mount a comeback. Buffalo appeared set to head into halftime with a 20-10 lead when Aaron Rodgers pulled off a stunning play. With just seconds left in the first half, the four-time NFL MVP launched a Hail Mary from near the 50-yard line. Allen Lazard managed to outjump two Bills defenders, catching the 52-yard touchdown pass. This marked the fourth Hail Mary of Rodgers’ impressive career, making him the all-time leader in such plays since 1970, according to the NFL.
Social Media Buzz
The moment garnered significant attention on social media, with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeting, “Why is Aaron so good at that?” NBA superstar LeBron James chimed in with, “Right!! It’s ridiculous!” After an offense-heavy first half, both teams struggled to score in the second half.
Jets’ Kicking Woes
New York was haunted by an uncharacteristic night for kicker Greg Zuerlein, who missed two potential go-ahead field goals in a windy MetLife Stadium as the Jets dropped a third straight game to move to 2-4 on the season. For the Bills, the win cemented their position atop the AFC East division ahead of their home game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.