Bills Stunned By Jets in OT Loss After Aaron Rodgers Injury
A defensive scrum unfolded at MetLife Stadium Monday night after New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of the game on his team's first series.
But in the end, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who led the NFL in turnovers last season, was the one that succumbed to the defensive pressure, as he committed four more turnovers while the Jets came from behind to win 22-16 in overtime on a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown by rookie Xavier Gipson.
Victimized by three Jordan Whitehead interceptions, a fumble and a monster pass rush that flushed him out of the pocket all night, Allen was unable to lift the Bills. All three of his interceptions were on ill-advised, forced throws to well-covered receivers.
He finished with 29 completions in 41 attempts for 236 yards and one TD, His passer rating was 62.7.
"We prepared so hard, the effort was there ... the defense gave us opportunities," Allen said. "They played a heck of a game, and that sucks when you feel like you're the reason, and I am the reason why we lost tonight."
Whitehead's third interception set up a late fourth-quarter touchdown that enabled the Jets to tie the game at 13-13 after an incredible catch in the end zone from receiver Garrett Wilson.
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On Buffalo's ensuing possession, Allen fumbled a shotgun snap on the first play, picked it up, tried to make a run for it and fumbled again, setting the Jets up for a short go-ahead field goal with 1:48 to go.
Although the Bills fell behind for the first time with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, they were able to get far enough on their last series for Tyler Bass to kick a 50-yard field goal that bounced off the left upright and fell through safely to the other side as time expired.
Buffalo took the ball after winning the overtime toss and immediately found itself behind the chains due to a false-start penalty on first down. That led to a three-and-out that would guarantee a sudden-death finish that came much earlier than anyone expected, as Gipson eluded all Bills tacklers on the punt return and made it all the way to the end zone fora 65-yard game-winning score.
Rodgers had gone down on a sack by Leonard Floyd two plays after barely escaping a sack attempt by Greg Rousseau on New York's first series.
After a short time in the medical tent, Rodgers was carted off with what the Jets admitted after the game was an Achilles heel injury.
His replacement, Zach Wilson, finished with 140 yards on 14-of-21 passing, and the Jets finished with just 289 yards and 13 first downs.
The Bills will now look to regroup on a short week as they prepare for the Las Vegas Raiders at home on Sunday.
