The Buffalo Bills secured a 23-20 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Monday night, taking sole possession of first place in the AFC East. This win improved the Bills’ record to 4-2, while the Jets dropped to 2-4.
Key Milestones and Lineup Notes:
- Bills QB Josh Allen played his 100th career game, and RT Spencer Brown marked his 50th.
- RB Frank Gore Jr. made his NFL debut.
- S Taylor Rapp and CB Taron Johnson returned from injuries, with Johnson having missed four games due to a forearm injury.
- WR Khalil Shakir came back after recovering from an ankle injury.
- RB James Cook missed the first game of his career due to a toe injury, giving RB Ty Johnson his first start for the Bills.
Game Overview:
Josh Allen led the Bills’ offense, throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns while adding 19 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Even without James Cook, the Bills established a strong running game, racking up 149 rushing yards as a team, with rookie RB Ray Davis leading the charge with 97 yards.
The Bills’ defense played a critical role, with standout performances from S Taylor Rapp and CB Taron Johnson, who each recorded eight tackles. Johnson sealed the game with a late interception. Defensive linemen A.J. Epenesa (2.0 sacks) and DaQuan Jones (1.0 sack) also made significant impacts.
Notable Achievements:
- This was the Bills’ first road win against the Jets since November 14, 2021.
- The Bills are now 4-2 for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.
- Josh Allen improved his primetime record to 18-7.
- The Bills hold the NFL’s best divisional record since 2020, going 21-5 against AFC East opponents.
Game Highlights:
1. Sparks Fly Early
The Jets started strong, with QB Aaron Rodgers leading a drive that culminated in a field goal after a big 24-yard catch by WR Garrett Wilson and a long run by RB Breece Hall. The Jets took an early 3-0 lead.
The Bills responded with a methodical nine-play drive, predominantly focused on the run. Rookie RB Ray Davis rushed for 48 yards on the drive, including gains of 14 and 15 yards. Josh Allen capped it off with a one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Bills a 7-3 lead.
Rodgers and the Jets answered back with a touchdown. Rodgers connected with Wilson for a five-yard score, putting the Jets up 10-7.
2. Applying Pressure
The Bills began to exert pressure on both sides of the ball as the second quarter progressed. On offense, Allen orchestrated another scoring drive, finding WR Mack Hollins for a touchdown after a 42-yard completion to Davis. This put the Bills ahead 14-10.
The Jets offense attempted to respond, with Rodgers again connecting with Wilson for 24 yards. However, the Bills’ defensive line began to assert itself, sacking Rodgers twice on the same drive. DT DaQuan Jones recorded the first sack, followed by DE A.J. Epenesa on a critical third down, forcing the Jets to punt.
3. Knox Delivers
Just before halftime, the Bills extended their lead. Two pass interference calls against the Jets moved the Bills deep into Jets territory. With under a minute left in the second quarter, Josh Allen broke free from a sack, scrambled to his left, and found TE Dawson Knox in the front corner of the end zone for a touchdown, making it 20-10. This marked Knox’s first touchdown of the season.
Second Half and Game-Winning Defense:
The Jets mounted a comeback in the second half, cutting the Bills’ lead to 23-20, but Buffalo’s defense held strong. Late in the fourth quarter, with the Jets threatening to tie or win the game, CB Taron Johnson intercepted Rodgers, sealing the victory for the Bills.
Overall, the Bills dominated the Jets with balanced offense and key defensive plays, earning an important divisional win and positioning themselves as the team to beat in the AFC East heading into their Week 7 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
