Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets lose to Buffalo Bills in first game since firing of head coach despite Hail Mary touchdown

CNN
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The Buffalo Bills overcame an Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary touchdown pass at the end of the first half to beat the New York Jets 23-20 on a penalty kick on Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Bills kicker Tyler Bass hit a 22-yard field goal with 3:43 to play and Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson intercepted a Rodgers pass in the final two minutes to break a two-game losing streak and move to 4-4. 2 to improve.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen shone in the win, completing 19 of 25 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns and also scored a score in the first quarter.

According to the NFL, Monday's game was the 21st of Allen's career with multiple passing touchdowns and at least one rushing score, putting him just behind Cam Newton – who has 22 – at the top of the all-time list.

“The first half was very good and we have to find a way to keep that momentum going in the second half,” Allen said afterwards. “There's a lot to learn, we were a little sloppy at the end, there were a few penalties, but it was a team win.”

Sophomore running back Ray Davis ran 20 times for 97 yards and had 55 yards through the air in the win. Davis filled in for James Cook, who was sidelined before the game with a toe injury.

It was the Jets' first game since firing head coach Robert Saleh, with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich being named interim coach, while the franchise also demoted offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from officiating duties in favor of Todd Downing.

And the moves seemed to have paid off from the start, as New York scored a field goal and a touchdown on the team's first two offensive possessions to take a 10-7 lead after the first quarter.

New York's advantage was short-lived, however, as Allen completed long drives in the second quarter with touchdown passes to receiver Mack Hollins and tight end Dawson Knox as Buffalo came back.

Buffalo appeared poised to take a 20-10 halftime lead until Rodgers conjured some magic. With just seconds left in the first half, the four-time NFL MVP began a prayer toward the end zone from near the 50-yard line, where Allen Lazard got over two Bills defenders for the 52-yard touchdown from Hail Mary.

The Hail Mary was the fourth of Rodgers' distinguished career, meaning he has the most of any NFL player since 1970, according to the NFL.

The moment was widely praised on social media, with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes writing on social media, “Why is Aaron so good at this?”, to which NBA superstar LeBron James responded, “Right!! It’s ridiculous!”

After an offensive first half, both teams struggled to score in the second half.

New York was hit by an unusual night for kicker Greg Zuerlein, who missed two potential field goals at windy MetLife Stadium as the Jets lost a third straight game and were 2-4 on the season.

For the Bills, the win solidified their position at the top of the AFC East division heading into their home game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.