By Zack Rosenblatt, Tim Graham, Joe Buscaglia and Lauren Merola
The Buffalo Bills secured their current place atop the AFC East with a 23-20 win over the New York Jets during Jeff Ulbrich’s interim-coaching debut at MetLife Stadium on “Monday Night Football.” The Jets fired former head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start to the season.
The Bills snatched the 23-20 lead with less than four minutes to play on Tyler Bass’ 22-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, veteran Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson picked off New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers with under two minutes to play to all but decide the game.
TARON JOHNSON PICKS RODGERS.
📺: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/oQMZtfCNVr— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2024
As time expired at halftime, Rodgers threw a 52-yard Hail Mary into the end zone, where Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard high-pointed the ball to bring the game within three. The Hail Mary was the fourth of Rodgers’ career and the most by a single QB in NFL history.
On the day, there were 22 accepted penalties, tying the most of the 2024 season so far, per the ESPN broadcast.
The Bills improve to 4-2 as New York drops to 2-4.
Bills defensive effort wills team to win
The Buffalo defense really took the bend-but-don’t-break cliché philosophy to the extreme against the Jets. The Bills managed to hold the New York to 20 points, ultimately helping them to a victory — but it wasn’t pretty.
The Jets managed 14 explosive plays of 10 or more yards, eight of which went for 20-plus. But when they needed a play deep in their own zone, Buffalo got one the entire second half. And then, to end the game, Johnson sealed the win with a sliding interception in his first contest back from a four-game injury absence.
The Bills still have things to figure out defensively because the explosive plays again have become too common this season, but they helped tie up the game when the offense failed to do much of anything in the second half. Buffalo held on to have the defensive effort on third downs deep in their territory to thank. — Joe Buscaglia, Bills beat writer
Different Jets coaches, same problems
New York changed coaches but its same issues remained — and if anything, the defense looked worse with Ulbrich taking over for Saleh. The Jets were penalized 11 times for 110 yards. Some of the calls were questionable — but not enough to excuse another undisciplined effort
New York’s defense took a major step back this week, too, allowing 361 total yards. Rookie running back Ray Davis (97 yards on 20 carries) beat the Jets up, though New York was without nickel corner Michael Carter II and lost both safety Chuck Clark and cornerback D.J. Reed to injuries last Sunday.
Still, it was an overall disappointing effort by the defense — and there were too many mental errors by the team at large. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets beat writer
Ray Davis to the rescue
Davis was a revelation. Pro Bowler James Cook was unable to play because of a toe injury, but that wasn’t the reason Buffalo almost lost. Rather than rely on veteran Ty Johnson, the Bills leaned on Davis early.
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady probably should’ve used him even more than he did. But, in a game of dubious coaching decisions, Buffalo finally came to its senses and asked its fourth-round pick to pound out the fourth quarter, too.
On a dominant opening drive, Davis had six carries for 48 yards, helping the Bills move the chains six times while never reaching third down. For the record, through his first five games, Davis never topped 29 yards and had 75 rushing yards combined.
Four minutes into the second quarter Monday night, with the help of a 42-yard reception, Davis had nine touches for 94 yards. He finished with 20 carries for 97 yards and 152 yards from scrimmage, both game-highs for any Buffalo player this year. — Tim Graham, Bills beat writer
New York’s offense improves, but not enough to win
As for the offense: Offensive coordinator Todd Downing looks like a clear upgrade, though the group still didn’t completely get the job done.
They gained 393 yards and the running game (Breece Hall had 113 yards) got back on track. But the Jets still finished 4 of 12 on third down, 1 for 4 in the red zone and Zuerlein clanked two field goals off the uprights that would’ve been the difference.
Rodgers’ Hail Mary touchdown before halftime kept New York in the game — but his interception (which came when wide receiver Mike Williams slipped) ended things. The offense showed some encouraging signs — but not enough to overcome all the mistakes. — Rosenblatt
(Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)
