Rodgers Lost For The Year Jets Stun Buffalo in OT

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

On the night that America remembered the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks and 24 hours after the New York Football Giants stunk up MetLife Stadium getting embarrassed 40-0 to the Dallas Cowboys, the Aaron Rodgers era began when the Jets hosted their division rival Buffalo Bills in front a sold out nationally televised crowd (ABC/ESPN). 

 

The Jets would win the coin toss and elected to kick off to Buffalo. 5-plays later, the Jets forced a punt with Rodgers taking the field to a rousing ovation. The euphoria didn’t last long as Rodgers suffered a left ankle injury after getting sacked by defensive end Leonard Floyd forcing him out of the game. It was announced that his return was questionable. 

 

It forced Jets head coach Robert Saleh to insert back-up Zach Wilson who completed 4 of his first 5 passes for 39 yards but failed to get on the board in the first quarter. Allen moved the Bills into field goal range and watched as Tyler Bass converted a 40-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead.

 

The Jets would come up with the first turnover of the game when Allen attempted a long pass to wide receiver Deonte Harty. Safety Jordan Whitehead intercepted the pass at the 4-yard line. Running back Breece Hall, coming off ACL/Meniscus surgery which ended his season last October, showed he has fully recovered. On the first play from their 4, Hall ran right and was caught 83 yards later to the Bills 13. The Jets had to settle for a Greg Zuerlein 26-yard field goal tying the game at 3.

 

The turnover bug hit the Jets on their next possession as Wilson throws into triple coverage looking for wide receiver Randall Cobb with linebacker Matt Milano coming up with the pick. 11 plays, 75 yards later Allen connects with wide receiver Stefan Diggs for the 5-yard touchdown reception giving Buffalo a 10-3 lead. Buffalo added another Bass field goal (34 yards) right before the half extending the leads to 13-3. Although x-rays came back negative, the Jets had to go the rest of the way without Rodgers who was ruled out with a sprained ankle and was seen with a boot on limping into the locker room.

 

The highly touted Jets defense, lived up to their reputation in the second half. Gang Green forced 3 second half turnovers with safety Jordan Whitehead coming up with 2 picks. His second int led to Wilson driving the team 57 yards in 8 plays resulting in a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Garrett Wilson tying the game at 13. The Bills would fumble on their next possession and Zuerlein converted a 30-yard field goal giving the Jets their first lead 16-13. Allen responded and watches as Bass nails a 50-yard field goal sending the game into overtime.

 

Buffalo wins the coin toss and 5-plays later punts to rookie Xavier Gipson who scampers 65 into the end zone for the game winning touchdown. “I felt like I was dreaming”, Gipson would say afterward. “I think we all know what we have in that locker room,” Saleh said Saleh. “We’ll continue to keep speaking with the way we play.” 

 

The New York Jets fan base was in disbelief after watching Rodgers leave the game. They went home ecstatic seeing them come back against a division rival. Unfortunately, the news on Rodgers was devastating as it was announced Tuesday morning that the MRI test revealed a complete tear of his Achilles tendon.

 

The New York Jets travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys Sunday afternoon.