Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen threw two touchdowns and ran for another as the Bills overcame Aaron Rodgers’ first-half fireworks to beat the New York Jets 23-20 Monday.
Tyler Bass atone for a miss by kicking a 22-yard field goal that gave the Bills the lead with 3:43 left and Buffalo held on to end a two-game skid, improving to 4-2 to tighten their grip on the NFL’s AFC East. division.
The Jets fell to 2-4, third behind the Bills and Miami Dolphins with the New England Patriots 1-5 in last place.
“We found a way to win,” Allen told ESPN. “I was sloppy in the second half, had to find a way to score more points, but it was a team win. We’ll take ’em as we get ’em.”
The Jets suffered their third straight loss, and their first since the firing of head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was named interim coach during the shakeup, which saw offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett relieved of play-calling duties.
But there was no change in the outcome, despite an impressive 294 passing yards for Rodgers with two touchdowns and an interception.
Rodgers finished the first half with a spectacular Hail Mary pass that Allen Lazard recovered for a 52-yard touchdown that brought the Jets within 20-17 at halftime.
Greg Zuerlein kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 20-20 in the third quarter. But Zuerlein missed field goal attempts from 32 and 43 yards from the left post in the second half.
Those are just two of the Jets’ missed opportunities.
With less than two minutes remaining, Rodgers threw a long pass intended for Mike Williams, but the throw was short and Taron Johnson – returning after breaking his right arm in the season opener – grabbed the ‘interception.
Allen and the Bills managed to run out the clock and seal the victory in a game in which both teams took 11 penalties for a total of 204 yards.
After the Jets scored a field goal on their first drive, the Bills responded with a drive capped by Allen’s 1-yard TD run.
Rodgers connected with Garrett Wilson with a five-yard scoring pass to make it 10-7 after one quarter, but Allen completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to Mack Hollins and a 12-yard pass to Dawson Knox at the end of the second quarter. put the bills in front.
BB/DH
