The Buffalo Bills held on for a 23-20 victory over the New York Jets in the battle for first place in the AFC East on “Monday Night Football.” Here’s a recap of all the notes and stats you need to know from the Bills and Jets’ prime-time matchup.
Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets Box Score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | T | |
| Bills | 7 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| Jets | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
Bills-Jets Stat Leaders
Leading Passers
Josh Allen: 19-of-25, 215 yards, 2 touchdowns
Aaron Rodgers: 24-of-36, 296 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Leading Rushers
Ray Davis: 19 carries, 96 yards
Ty Johnson: 4 carries, 34 yards
Josh Allen: 9 carries, 18 yards, 1 touchdown
Breece Hall: 17 carries, 111 yards
Braelon Allen: 3 carries, 8 yards
Leading Receivers
Ray Davis: 3 receptions, 55 yards
Dalton Kincaid: 6 receptions, 51 yards
Curtis Samuel: 3 receptions, 44 yards
Allen Lazard: 6 receptions, 114 yards, 1 touchdown
Garrett Wilson: 8 receptions, 107 yards, 1 touchdown
Breece Hall: 6 receptions, 58 yards
Bills-Jets Game Recap
New York’s offense came out on fire in their first possession with Todd Downing calling the plays as the team’s new offensive coordinator. Jets QB Rodgers was perfect to start the drive before Hall dropped what would have likely been a first down. The Jets settled for a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead on Monday night.
Jets RB Breece Hall with a bad drop on third down… pic.twitter.com/MNY8yQtOe4
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli)
For Buffalo’s offense, it was no James Cook, no problem on their first possession against the Jets. Bills rookie RB Davis shouldered the load for Buffalo as he gained 48 yards on six carries during the team’s opening drive. Josh Allen capped off the team’s first possession with a one-yard touchdown run to give the Bills a 7-3 lead in the first quarter.
Josh Allen sneaks in for the TD!
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After an unfortunate drop halted New York’s first offensive possession, the Jets marched right down the field once again. Hall led the Jets down the field with big gains both on the ground and through the air. Rodgers connected with Wilson on a toe-drag, five-yard touchdown to give the Jets a 10-7 lead.
Rodgers to Wilson! Touchdown, Jets!
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Following a relatively quiet start to the game, Allen showcased his elite playmaking ability in the second quarter against the Jets. It appeared as though New York was close to bringing down Allen for a safety, yet he managed to escape the pocket and complete a 42-yard pass to Davis.
Josh Allen’s big-time completion eventually led to a touchdown pass to Mack Hollins in the red zone late on the drive, as Buffalo regained the lead, 13-10.
WHAT A THROW.
📺: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/fZTnwEL6ud
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills)
Allen continues to evade pressure from New York’s defensive front and extend plays. After leading Buffalo’s offense into the red zone once again, Allen capped off the drive with a Houdini-esque escape and 12-yard touchdown throw on the run to Knox to extend the Bills’ lead to 20-10.
Josh Allen is just doing Josh Allen things.
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— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills)
Rodgers wasn’t going to let Allen steal the show to end the first half. While many expected the Jets to settle for a 10-point deficit at halftime, Rodgers had other plans. He launched a Hail Mary attempt into the end zone, and Lazard came down with a 52-yard touchdown, which was confirmed by the NFL’s replay assistance rule.
ANOTHER AARON RODGERS HAIL MARY.
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Despite an unexpectedly slow start to the regular season, Hall is off to a solid start in Downing’s offense after Monday night. Hall has generated several explosive plays on his own, and his 42-yard run in the third quarter led the Jets back into the red zone. While New York was unable to score a touchdown on this drive, they were able to tie up the game, 20-20.
Breece Hall goes 42 yards!
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📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1WSizWkvzS— NFL (@NFL)
Missed field goals continue to plague the Jets as Greg Zuerlein missed his second field goal attempt of the game. While New York was looking to capitalize on several trips into Buffalo’s territory in the second half, Zuerlein has proved to be unreliable.
It remains tied after another Jets missed field goal.
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New York’s defense was able to halt Buffalo’s trip into the red zone late in the fourth quarter. Luckily for the Bills, Tyler Bass was able to overcome a missed field goal attempt earlier in the game and knocked in a much-needed field goal to give the Bills a 23-20 lead.
Big stop for the Jets defense to force a field goal.
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The Jets were attempting to drive into field goal range late in the fourth quarter to tie up the game. After penalties forced New York back into 3rd-and-16, Rodgers launched a deep pass down the field to Mike Williams.
Yet Williams slipped and Bills cornerback Taron Johnson was able to make an impressive diving play on the ball to come away with a timely interception.
TARON JOHNSON PICKS RODGERS.
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Bills Overcome Penalties, Improve to 4–2
Monday night’s prime-time matchup was littered with penalties as the Bills and Jets combined for the most penalty yardage in a single game this season. Despite being called for 11 penalties resulting in 94 yards, Buffalo was able to escape with a 23-20 victory on the road.
After improving to 4-2, the Bills are alone at the top of the AFC East, as they created much-needed separation within the division. Despite many people questioning Buffalo’s strategy to move on from talented playmakers such as Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the offseason, Allen has performed like a superstar QB thus far.
Although the Bills were without starting RB Cook on Monday night, Buffalo’s offense was still able to move the ball at will against New York’s defense. Allen was responsible for three total touchdowns, while five different players recorded two or more receptions.
It was an impressive performance from Buffalo on the road, given that many expected New York to play with extra energy following the dismissal of former head coach Robert Saleh.
