Jets are sloppy all around, lose to Bills in prime time in Jeff Ulbrich's first game as interim head coach
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is pressured by Jets defensive end Will McDonald IV at MetLife Stadium on Monday. Credit: Ed Murray
The more things change, the more the Jets are still the Jets.
After firing Robert Saleh last week and replacing him with interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets had the type of head-scratching performance that has become all too normal for this team. They also did some things you don’t see very often — even from them.
With a chance to move into first place in the AFC East, the Jets fell to Buffalo, 23-20, on Monday night at MetLife Stadium. Instead, they lost their third straight game.
Greg Zuerlein had two field-goal tries — 32 and 43 yards — doink off the left upright in the second half. The Jets (2-4) committed 11 penalties for 110 yards. A penalty negated a touchdown. And Aaron Rodgers, who was brought in to win games like this, threw an interception in Buffalo territory with less than two minutes to play.
“This was a golden opportunity,” he said. “Some games you win in the NFL and some games you give away. This was a giveaway.”
You could point to so many areas in which the Jets lost to the Bills (4-2). Penalties, red-zone ineffectiveness — they were 1-for-4 — and the missed field goals were the main culprits.
“I thought we were going to have a big night on offense,” a frustrated Rodgers said. “It should have been a 30-plus-point game on offense and this shouldn’t even be a conversation.”
The Jets now face an uphill climb to be the contender Woody Johnson expects them to be. He made the coaching change to save their season. They still need help.
“We are by no means out of this thing,” Ulbrich said. “By no means.
Rodgers completed 24 of 36 pass attempts for 294 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
He had the chance to lead the Jets on a game-winning drive at the end. The series was extended when Christian Benford was flagged for pass interference on Garrett Wilson on third down. Two plays after a 13-yard pass from Rodgers to Breece Hall was nullified by a holding penalty on Joe Tippmann, Rodgers’ pass to Mike Williams was picked off at the Buffalo 18 by Taron Johnson with 1:52 to go. Williams was hurt on the play and is being evaluated for a head injury.
Rodgers said Allen Lazard and Williams were running vertical routes. He saw three defenders go with Lazard when he put his hand up, so Rodgers threw it to Williams, who changed his route. Rodgers had to adjust his throw and underthrew Williams.
It was the second straight game in which Rodgers threw a pass intended for Williams that was intercepted to stop a potential game-winning drive.
“It’s frustrating,” Rodgers said. “I’m here to win those games.”
Ulbrich was happy to see the offense get going after he stripped the play-calling duties from Nathaniel Hackett and gave them to passing-game coordinator Todd Downing. The Jets ran the ball well and drove down the field with little resistance.
Hall rushed 18 times for 113 yards and caught five passes for 56 yards. Lazard had six catches for 114 yards, including a 52-yard Hail Mary for a touchdown just before halftime. Wilson caught eight passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Wilson lamented a third-down drop in the end zone after he took a hit from Taylor Rapp. “I can’t drop the damn ball no matter how hard I get hit,” he said.
The Jets had the chance at points, but Zuerlein clunked a 32-yard attempt. “In general, I’m just not hitting the ball the proper way, the way I know how,” he said. “Today, it came to bite us.’’
Josh Allen was 19-for-25 for 215 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one rushing touchdown. Rookie running back Ray Davis, playing for the injured James Cook (toe), had 152 scrimmage yards.
After the Rodgers-Lazard Hail Mary made it 20-17 with no time left in the first half, the Jets tied it on the opening series of the third quarter on Zuerlein’s 22-yard field goal.
The Jets had a chance to go ahead on their next series, but Braelon Allen’s 4-yard touchdown run was negated by a holding on Tyron Smith.
After Zuerlein’s second field-goal miss, the Bills regained the lead on Tyler Bass’ 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left. The Jets’ defense made a big stand to keep the Bills out of the end zone after a roughing-the-passer penalty on Javon Kinlaw gave Buffalo a first-and-goal from the 9.
“We’ve got to find a way to not get all these penalties,” Wilson said. “Just finish drives because at the end of the day, we’re going to lose games. You just never want to live in that world and rely on the kick. We’ve got to find a way to finish drives and score touchdowns.”
Notes & quotes: C.J. Mosley returned after missing the last three games with a toe injury . . . Cornerback D.J. Reed left the game in the third quarter because of a groin injury . . . Safety Chuck Clark (ankle) exited in the first half. . . . Defensive tackle Leki Fotu was activated from injured reserve and made his Jets debut. The Jets released defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.