New York Jets (2-4) – Buffalo Bills (4-2): 20-23
Intense but not pretty. The second half of the game between the Jets and the Bills took a while to produce a winner. But it was Buffalo who missed the fewest chances and were the most realistic.
Because the Jets and Aaron Rodgers (23/35, 294 yards, 2 TDs, 1 int) had the opportunity to take this game. Their last three offensives ended with two missed field goals – each time on the post – and an interception. In this festival of clumsiness, New York also saw a touchdown canceled by a penalty for a down.
“ We gave this match away. We were terrible in the red zone. We missed two field goals“, noted a disappointed Aaron Rodgers at a press conference.
In these conditions, a successful kick by Tyler Bass a little less than four minutes from time was enough to put Buffalo away.
The Jets offensive entry, and then…
Everything started off pretty well though. For everyone. On their first two possessions, the Jets scored a field goal, then a touchdown from Garrett Wilson (8 rec, 107 yards, 1 TD). In the meantime, Buffalo rolled out a great offensive led by rookie Ray Davis (20 races, 97 yards – 3 rec, 55 yards). New York therefore leads 10-7.
But that’s about where the Jets’ effectiveness ends. Because the attack now led by Todd Downing stalls, with two punts, while Mack Hollins and Dawson Knox find the end zone to give Buffalo some air (10-20).
It takes a small miracle with a touchdown on an Avé Marie pass just before the break for the Jets to stay in the game. Rodgers finds Allen Lazard (6 rec, 114 yards, 1 TD) for a 52-yard touchdown in the middle of three defenders (17-20).
Would you like a little yellow again?
After a kick from Greg Zuerlein to equalize (20-20), the second half becomes a festival of defense, clumsiness and, above all, penalties. Eleven for each team! Including the one that cancels a Braelon Allen touchdown for the Jets. The ineffectiveness of the Jets in the red zone mentioned by Rodgers forces them to settle for… missed kicks.
Josh Allen (19/25, 215 yards, 1 TD), very solid this Monday evening, will therefore look for one last field goal to get in front (20-23). Rodgers then has a possession with 3mn43 on the clock, but he is the victim of an opportunistic Taron Johnson, who takes advantage of Mike Williams' slide to emerge and intercept the ball. Buffalo eats up the rest of the clock.
If Josh Allen also lacked efficiency with his attack after the break, the Bills quarterback delivered a solid performance, to bounce back well after his difficult match against Houston.
The Jets will be able to be satisfied with having offered a more dynamic offensive game, with a good Rodgers, a well-used Breece Hall (18 carries, 113 yards) and two receivers above 100 yards. Now we will have to add realism.
