Late Tyler Bass field goal, Taron Johnson interception help Bills sink Jets, 23-20

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After a tumultuous week, the Jets could not end their losing streak.

A Tyler Bass game-winning 25-yard field goal with 3:46 remaining gave the Bills a 23-20 victory over the Jets (2-4) at MetLife Stadium.

Aaron Rodgers tried to lead the Jets for a potential game-winning touchdown, but his deep pass was intercepted by Taron Johnson with 1:52 left.

Monday marked the Jets’ first game with Jeff Ulbrich as interim coach. The Jets fired coach Robert Saleh last Tuesday following a 26-40 record in three-plus seasons.

After becoming interim coach, Ulbrich stripped offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of his play-calling duties and made passing-game coordinator Todd Downing the new play-caller after the Jets’ offense was 27th in yards.

The change was a success, at least for one game on the offensive side of the ball at least.

Breece Hall registered his first 100-yard rushing game of the season (111) after the Jets were last in the NFL in rushing entering the night. Rodgers completed 23 of 35 passes for 293 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson finished with eight catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Jets (2-4) had a 100-yard rusher and receiver in a game for the first time since 2018.

However, the Jets’ defense did not play up to its usual standard after allowing 350 yards. Bills backup running back Ray Davis rushed for 97 yards on 20 carries in place of James Cook, who was out due to a toe injury.

Josh Allen completed 19 of 25 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

It also didn’t help kicker Greg Zuerlein missed two of his four field-goal attempts on back-to-back tries. First, in the third quarter, Zuerlein missed a 32-yard chip-shot field goal that bounced off the left upright. Then, in the fourth quarter, his 43-yard field goal hit the left upright again.

The Jets received the ball to start the game and got off to an early 3-0 lead after Zuerlein’s 34-yard field goal. That marked the Jets’ first points on an opening drive this season.

Buffalo (4-2) quickly responded as it ran the ball down the Jets’ throat on a nine-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard Allen touchdown run to take a 7-3 lead. Of the 70 yards on the drive, the Bills registered 61 yards on the ground.

The Jets answered back with points of their own before the end of the first quarter. Just like the first drive, the Jets mixed the run with the pass, allowing them to get the ball quickly into the Bills’ territory.

On an improv play by Rodgers at the five-yard line, he used his legs and found Wilson for a touchdown after the receiver dragged his leg in-bounds in the back of the end zone to take a 10-7 lead.

Buffalo regained the lead, 13-10, in the second quarter when Allen found Mack Hollins for an eight-yard touchdown catch after he beat safety Ashtyn Davis in coverage. The highlight on the drive came on the Bills’ 10-yard line when Allen rolled to his right and found Ray Davis on a 42-yard reception. Quinnen Williams blocked Bass’ extra point attempt.

Allen’s second touchdown, this time to tight end Dawson Knox, extended the Bills’ lead to 20-10. Allen used his legs to extend the play, and Knox got free on the left-hand side for the touchdown.

When it appeared the Bills were about to run away with the game, Rodgers completed a Hail Mary pass to Allen Lazard with no time left to close the gap to 20-17 at halftime. It was Rodgers’ fourth Hail Mary touchdown of his career.

Rodgers’ 52-yard Hail Mary to Lazard traveled 61.4 yards in the air, the longest completion by a Jets quarterback since 2016, according to Next Gen Stats.

Following a Bass miss from 47 yards in the third quarter, the Jets got the ball inside the five-yard line after Hall’s 42-yard run. But Gang Green could not punch it in for six points and settled for a Zuerlein 22-yard field goal, which tied the game at 20-20.

Bass made a 22-yard field goal to give the Bills a 23-20 lead with 3:46 remaining, which gave the Jets one last chance to tie or win the game in regulation. But Johnson intercepted Rodgers’ pass to Williams on the Bills’ 18-yard-line.

Next up, on a short week, the Jets will visit the Steelers Sunday night. The Bills will host the Titans in Week 7.