Protection shines in key moments as Payments knock out Jets, strengthen AFC East lead

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — All sport lengthy, the Buffalo Payments gave up uncharacteristic huge performs in opposition to the New York Jets. None extra notable than permitting the Jets to attain on a Hail Mary on the finish of the primary half to make it a three-point sport, regardless of the Payments’ offense scoring a landing on three of its first 4 drives.

But it surely was on one other throw when nickel nook Taron Johnson introduced his return to the beginning lineup within the loudest means doable, choosing off an Aaron Rodgers move with slightly below two minutes remaining to protect a 23-20 win.

Johnson, a 2023 second-team All-Professional, was taking part in in his first sport since Week 1 when he suffered a forearm damage.

The Payments’ protection gave up eight performs of 20 or extra yards to the Jets. Within the first three video games of the 12 months, the Payments allowed seven such performs. That quantity is now at 15 from Weeks 4 to six. Buffalo additionally allowed a Jets offense that got here into the sport averaging 80.4 dashing yards per sport to get 121 yards on the bottom.

The unit was saved by two missed subject targets by Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein within the second half, along with a powerful crimson zone protection that allowed the Jets to transform on certainly one of 4 crimson zone journeys.

Although the Payments missed alternatives (notably the place penalties had been concerned), they got here away with the win by forcing wanted turnovers and avoiding essential errors. Quarterback Josh Allen has now gone six straight video games with out throwing an interception, the longest stretch of his profession.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Bouncing again. It wasn’t fairly, however the Payments prevented their first three-game shedding streak since 2018 and maintained a major lead within the AFC East.

Eye-popping stat: Josh Allen was touring 16.26 mph when he let go of the ball on his 42-yard completion to RB Ray Davis within the second quarter, the quickest velocity by a quarterback on a deep completion (20-plus air yards) over the previous two-plus seasons (since Week 1, 2022), per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats.

Most shocking efficiency: Davis. Ty Johnson has been the crew’s second again behind James Cook dinner when it comes to snaps, and whereas Davis has flashed his potential, this was a major efficiency on an evening when Cook dinner (toe) was inactive. Davis’ 116 scrimmage yards within the first half had been probably the most by a Payments rookie in a half since 1980. He completed with 20 rushes for 97 yards and three catches for 55 extra. This offense is at its greatest when the operating sport will get going, and this type of depth behind Cook dinner is an efficient signal.

Troubling pattern: Tyler Bass’ kicking. Bass’ woes have been a priority since coaching camp, and Monday evening was a reminder. Whereas it was a blustery evening — 17 mph sustained winds and gusts within the 30-35 mph vary — the problems aren’t new. Bass probably would have missed a PAT that went very broad left, however it was additionally blocked, and he missed a 47-yard subject purpose too. He made a 22-yard subject purpose within the fourth quarter however is now 2-of-5 from 40-49 yards this season (tied for the Thirty first-worst share from that distance). — Alaina Getzenberg

Subsequent sport: vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

New head coach, new offensive playcaller, similar consequence for the New York Jets, who dropped their third straight sport and missed an opportunity to seize a share of first place within the AFC East.

Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who changed the abruptly fired Robert Saleh six days in the past, presided over the identical form of efficiency that prompted proprietor Woody Johnson to sack Saleh: too many penalties (11 for 110 yards), too many wasted alternatives and too many factors left on the sphere, together with a pair of missed subject targets by kicker Greg Zuerlein within the second half.

The Jets confirmed some indicators of life on offense underneath new playcaller Todd Downing, who changed the demoted Nathaniel Hackett, however the consequence was one other crushing loss. They’ve misplaced by a mixed 10 factors previously three video games, and now they’re on the verge of falling out of rivalry.

It wasn’t purported to go like this for the Jets (2-4), who fancied themselves as Tremendous Bowl contenders. Johnson known as this the perfect roster he has had in 25 years, however it’s not performing as much as expectations. Not even shut. Johnson figured a training shake-up would assist, however this was simply extra of the identical. Except they flip it round rapidly, the 2024 Jets will go down as one of many largest busts in latest historical past.

QB breakdown: You’ll be able to maintain the “Rodgers-is-washed up” headlines. Rebounding from final week’s three-interception clunker, Aaron Rodgers handed for 294 yards — simply shy of his first 300-yard efficiency in 28 video games. Typical, proper? The entire evening was only a tease. Rodgers performed effectively sufficient to win, however he was undermined by three dropped passes; the Jets lead the league in drops. Rodgers (23-for-35, 2 TD, 1 INT) made one magical second, a 52-yard Hail Mary landing to finish the primary half, however he ran out of magic with an interception on the Jets’ last drive of the sport.

Most shocking efficiency: Welcome again, Breece Corridor. A nonfactor within the earlier two video games, Corridor got here alive with Downing calling the performs. Buffalo’s shaky run protection may need had one thing to do with it, too. Both means, Corridor was again to his dual-threat methods, producing 113 yards dashing and 56 receiving. There was extra creativity within the run sport and the holes had been greater. Finally, it wasn’t adequate due to the crimson zone inefficiency (1-for-4).

Troubling pattern: What’s it with the Jets and backup operating backs? That they had no solutions for rookie Ray Davis (152 yards from scrimmage), who changed James Cook dinner and have become the most recent understudy to shine in opposition to them. Keep in mind Week 1? San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey was a late scratch and in got here Jordan Mason, who rushed for a career-high 147 yards. Fact is, the Jets’ run protection wasn’t superb. As soon as once more, the tackling was shoddy, and the hole self-discipline left so much to be desired. Linebacker C.J. Mosley returned from a three-game toe damage, however he performed restricted snaps as Jamien Sherwood remained the Mike linebacker. Mosley was eliminated within the nickel.

Eye-popping stat: Rodgers’ Hail Mary to Allen Lazard traveled 52 air yards — probably the most on a completion by a Jets quarterback since Mark Sanchez in 2010. It was the fourth Hail Mary landing of Rodgers’ profession; no different participant had greater than two since 2008. — Wealthy Cimini

Subsequent sport: at Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)