Ulbrich Loses Head Coaching Debut
Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon
MetLife Stadium
Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon
MetLife Stadium
By Shara Talia Taylor
A beautiful 52-yard Hail Mary pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers into the hands of wide receiver Allen Lazard was overshadowed by the New York Jets’ 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Instead of acknowledgement of the talent, accuracy and effort of the moment, the focus became examining the reasons behind a loss that was in the Jets’ grasp. Two missed field goals, penalties and an interception in the second half of the game paved the way for the Bills to take off. “This was a golden opportunity, Rodgers said. “We had plenty of chances, had the momentum, had good drives, moved the ball up and down the field. So, it’s disappointing.”
Todd Downing stepped in to call the plays as Jeff Ulbrich coached his first game as interim head coach. The Jets had the advantage early. They received first and were on the scoreboard in their first possession after a 34-yard field goal by kicker Greg Zuerlein. They scored on their second possession when Rodgers threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide reciever Garrett Wilson. The Jets led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. Rodgers connected with Lazard for the 52-yard touchdown pass with less than 8 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Gang Green trailed 20-17 at halftime.
The Jets’ accuracy declined in the second half of the game. Zuerlein kicked a 22-yard field goal in the their first possession of the third quarter, but uncharacteristically missed two field goals afterwards. He missed a 32-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter and a 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Rodgers was sacked three times in the second half of the game. His pass intended for wide receiver Mike Williams was intercepted in the fourth quarter. Jets’ receivers connected less with Rodgers’ passes in the second half of the game. Rodgers completed 23 of 35 for 294 yards. There were 13 receptions at half time and 10 in the second half.
“We were terrible in the red zone, missed two field goals, didn’t convert on a two-minute drive,” Rodgers said.
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen completed 19 of 25 for 215 yards. He threw two touchdown passes in the first half of the game.
“From a defensive perspective, just not the start that we’re accustomed to having from this defense,” said Coach Ulbrich. “We have to have more urgency in all that we do.”
Both teams had 11 penalties each. “It seemed a little ridiculous,” Rodgers said.
“It’s not a good feeling,” Wilson added about the penalties. “It’s tough. We got to be better. We got to do what it takes during the practice week to be better.”
Breece Hall, who caught five of six passes for 56 yards, said he plans to hold himself to a higher standard in the week ahead and ask what more he can do. “We just got to finish and be more locked-in in the red zone like I said today,” he said. “I felt like I should have scored.”
The Jets next travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers.
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