EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Throughout the game, the Buffalo Bills had uncharacteristic big plays against the New York Jets. Nothing is more remarkable than allowing the Jets to score on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half, resulting in a three-point game despite the Bills' offense scoring a touchdown on three of their first four drives.

But it was another shot as nickel corner Taron Johnson announced his return to the starting lineup as loudly as possible and intercepted a pass from Aaron Rodgers with just under two minutes left to secure a 23-20 victory.

Johnson, a 2023 second-team All-Pro, was playing in his first game since Week 1 when he suffered a forearm injury.

The Bills defense allowed the Jets eight plays of 20 or more yards. In the first three games of the year, the Bills allowed seven such plays. From Weeks 4 to 6, that number is now 15. Buffalo also allowed a Jets offense that came into the game averaging 80.4 rushing yards per game to rack up 121 yards on the ground.

The unit was saved by two missed field goals by Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein in the second half, in addition to a strong red zone defense that allowed the Jets to convert on one of four red zone trips.

Despite missing opportunities (especially when it came to penalties), the Bills won by forcing necessary turnovers and avoiding crucial mistakes. Quarterback Josh Allen has now gone six straight games without throwing an interception, the longest stretch of his career.

Describe the game in two words: Jump back. It wasn't pretty, but the Bills avoided their first three-game losing streak since 2018 and maintained a commanding lead in the AFC East.

Amazing statistics: Josh Allen was traveling at 16.26 mph when he released the ball on his 42-yard completion to RB Ray Davis in the second quarter, the fastest speed a quarterback has on a deep completion (over 20 yards in the air ) had achieved in the last two years. plus seasons (since Week 1, 2022), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Most surprising performance: Davis. Ty Johnson was the team's second fullback behind James Cook in terms of snaps, and while Davis showed his potential, it was a significant performance on a night when Cook (toe) was inactive. Davis' 116 scrimmage yards in the first half were the most by a Bills rookie in a half since 1980. He finished the game with 20 rushes for 97 yards and three catches for an additional 55 yards. This offense is at its best when the game gets going, and that depth behind Cook is a good sign.

Worrying trend: Tyler Bass kicks. Bass' issues have been a concern since training camp, and Monday night was a reminder of that. Although it was a stormy night – sustained winds at 17 mph and gusts in the 50-60 mph range – the problems are not new. Bass probably would have missed a PAT that went very far left, but that too was blocked, and he also missed a 47-yard field goal. He made a 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter but is now 2 of 5 from 40-49 yards this season (tied for the 31st-worst rate from that distance). — Alaina Getzenberg

Next game: vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

New head coach, new offensive playcaller, same result for the New York Jets, who lost their third game in a row and missed the chance to secure a share of first place in the AFC East.

Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced the suddenly fired Robert Saleh six days ago, produced the same performance that led owner Woody Johnson to fire Saleh: too many penalties (11 for 110 yards), too many missed opportunities and too many points left the field, including two missed field goals by kicker Greg Zuerlein in the second half.

The Jets showed some signs of life on offense under new playcaller Todd Downing, who replaced the demoted Nathaniel Hackett, but the result was another crushing defeat. They have lost a total of 10 points in their last three games and are now on the verge of being eliminated from the competition.

Things shouldn't have worked out that way for the Jets (2-4), who believed themselves to be Super Bowl contenders. Johnson called this the best squad he's had in 25 years, but it's not living up to expectations. Not even close. Johnson assumed a coaching change would help, but this was just more of the same. If they don't turn things around quickly, the 2024 Jets will go down as one of the biggest busts in recent history.

QB breakdown: You can keep the “Rodgers washed up” headlines. Aaron Rodgers rebounded from last week's three-interception spree to rush for 294 yards, just shy of his first 300-yard performance in 28 games. Typical, right? The whole night was just a joke. Rodgers played well enough to win, but was undermined by three dropped passes; The Jets lead the league in drops. Rodgers (23-for-35, 2 TD, 1 INT) managed a moment of magic, a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown to end the first half, but he ran out of magic on the Jets' final drive of the game intercepted.

Most surprising performance: Welcome back, Breece Hall. Hall, who hadn't played a role in the last two games, came to life as Downing called the shots. Buffalo's shaky run defense might also have something to do with it. Whatever the case, Hall returned to his dual-threat approach and managed 113 yards rushing and 56 yards receiving. There was more creativity in the running game and the holes were bigger. Ultimately, it wasn't good enough due to the inefficiency of the red zone (1 for 4).

Worrying trend: What about the Jets and the backup running backs? They had no answer for rookie Ray Davis (152 yards from scrimmage), who replaced James Cook and shined against them as the latest backup player. Remember week 1? San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey arrived late, and in came Jordan Mason, who rushed for a career-high 147 yards. The truth is that the Jets' run defense wasn't very good. Once again the tackling was poor and the distance discipline left a lot to be desired. Linebacker CJ Mosley returned from a three-game toe injury but played limited snaps as Jamien Sherwood remained Mike's linebacker. Mosley was removed in nickel.

Amazing statistics: Rodgers' Hail Mary to Allen Lazard traveled 52 yards, the most on a completion by a Jets quarterback since Mark Sanchez in 2010. It was the fourth Hail Mary touchdown of Rodgers' career; No other player has had more than two since 2008. — Rich Cimini

Next game: at Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)