New York Jets (1-0) – Buffalo Bills (0-1): 22-16, ap
Will Jets players and their fans be happy this Tuesday after their team’s victory? They won. And in a pretty crazy way. After the defense stopped Buffalo at the start of overtime, Xavier Gipson received the punt, before slaloming to the end zone for the winning touchdown. A victorious 65-yard ride for the rookie, celebrated by his teammates and his coach.
THE ROOKIE DID IT! THE ROOKIE DID IT!@Gipson22X TAKES THE PUNT BACK AND WE WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME.#BUFvsNYJ on ESPN pic.twitter.com/VxK1q6W802
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 12, 2023
But not by Aaron Rodgers. Because the four-time MVP was already in the locker room. Hit the Achilles tendon, probably a tear. His season should end there.
The Jets win with their defense
If the victory was actually obtained on a punt return, it is because the defense had stopped Josh Allen (29/41, 236 yards, 1 TD, 3 int) and Buffalo. Again. And even.
The Bills quarterback experienced an ordeal against a top-flight defensive squad. The line put on the pressure. Jordan Whitehead, who made all three interceptions, led equally impressive coverage. Enough to further add to the ambient spite. Yes, the Jets defense has the potential to be immense.
Buffalo led 13 to 3 at the break thanks to a touchdown from Stefon Diggs (10 rec, 102 yards, 1 TD). But the Greens, authors of 5 sacks in total, put the lid back on after the interruption to only allow one field goal. A 50-yard kick 2 seconds from the end of regulation time, to snatch the extra period. A short respite for Josh Allen and his gang, immediately stopped without gaining ground in overtime, before Gipson’s victorious punt return.
Zach Wilson provides the essentials
Aaron Rodgers in the infirmary, the Jets therefore found Zach Wilson (14/21, 140 yards, 1 TD, 1 int). As if nothing had happened, or almost. And always without much effectiveness, or almost. Their star pitcher gone, the white and green relied on Breece Hall (10 races, 127 yards) in great shape. But against the Bills defense, it’s not always enough. Punt, punt, field goal and interception. The first half is sluggish for New York.
The recovery is not more exciting with another field goal (6-13) and two new punts. We had to wait until the start of the last five minutes for Wilson to find Garrett Wilson (5 rec, 34 yards, 1 TD) for a gem of a 3-yard touchdown and the equalizer (13-13).
The defense snatches the ball from Josh Allen’s hands on the next play to offer an easy field goal and the advantage to the Jets (16-13). Buffalo finds solutions in the air and equalizes 2 seconds from time, but overtime therefore turns to New York’s advantage. A bittersweet victory.
