Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 14th 2024
Preview and Prediction
It is anticipated that Aaron Rodgers will assist the New York Jets in transforming from a team that is often ridiculed to one that is a serious contender in the league.
However, the Jets were not showing enough signs of improvement to feel confident about ending their 13-season playoff drought.
The dismal start ultimately led to the dismissal of coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday. Now, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich will take the reins for the team's crucial AFC East matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night at East Rutherford, N.J.
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The Jets (2-3) made the decision to change coaches after suffering back-to-back losses to the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett also had his playcalling duties taken away, and passing game coordinator Todd Downing will now be calling the plays against the Bills.
Rodgers acknowledged that he and his teammates played a part in the coaching change.
"I believe we need to do everything in our power to make the most of this opportunity," Rodgers stated on Thursday. "... We need to hold ourselves accountable. When something like this happens, it serves as a reset for everyone involved."
At 40 years old, Rodgers will need to elevate his own performance on the field. He has only completed 61% of his passes and has been sacked 13 times while throwing for 1,093 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Three of those interceptions came during last week's 23-17 loss to the Vikings.
The former four-time MVP with the Green Bay Packers is now leading an offense that ranks 25th in scoring (18.6 points per game) and 27th in total offense (286.6 yards per game). The Jets also have the lowest-ranked rushing offense in the league, averaging just 80.4 yards per game.
Rodgers stressed the need for immediate improvement under Ulbrich, who has been the team's defensive coordinator since 2021.
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"I believe the spotlight is on the players," Rodgers said. "Changing coaches can only do so much, as we are the ones out on the field playing. We need to play better, but we also need to come together and support 'Brick' as we move forward."
Ulbrich, who spent 10 seasons as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, retired from playing in 2009 and went on to pursue a career in coaching. He has been with the Jets since 2021 and is now in his fourth season as their defensive coordinator.
"We can't be afraid to make mistakes or hold back," Ulbrich stated. "We need to play this game on our own terms, and I am confident that we will see that on Monday night."
Meanwhile, Buffalo (3-2) is facing their own struggles after suffering consecutive losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.
Star quarterback Josh Allen had a rough outing in last weekend's 23-20 road loss to the Texans, completing only 9 of 30 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown.
"I need to be better," Allen admitted. "I need to work on my ball placement, and there were a couple of throws that I wish I could have back from last game.
"We need to make sure we are on the same page, and it all starts with the quarterback. That's on me. We need to find ways to sustain drives, improve on third down, and avoid getting into third-and-long situations."
Bills coach Sean McDermott is confident that Allen's struggles are only temporary.
"Throughout a season, the path to success is never a straight line," McDermott said. "You have to navigate through the ups and downs of the season and manage them.
"I know Josh is extremely competitive, and we have full faith in him. I am confident that he will get back to his usual self, and that is crucial for us."
Buffalo currently ranks third in scoring, averaging 28.4 points per game, but they are only 22nd in total offense, averaging 299.8 yards per game. So far, no standout receiver has emerged, with Khalil Shakir leading the team in both receptions (18) and receiving yards (230).
Shakir was unable to practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury, along with running back James Cook (toe) and defensive tackle Ed
Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets Recap OCT 14TH 2024
Tyler Bass kicked a 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left and Taron Johnson made a game-clinching interception as the Buffalo Bills notched a 23-20 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night at East Rutherford, N.J.
Josh Allen was 19-of-25 passing for 215 yards and two touchdown passes and also tacked on a rushing score for Buffalo (4-2), which halted a two-game losing streak. Ray Davis rushed for 97 yards for the Bills while playing in place of James Cook (toe).
Aaron Rodgers completed 23 of 35 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for New York (2-4). One of Rodgers' touchdowns was a 52-yard 'Hail Mary' score to Allen Lazard to end the first half.
The contest was the first for the Jets under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich. New York dismissed Robert Saleh on Tuesday.
Breece Hall totaled a season-high 169 scrimmage yards (113 rushing, 56 receiving) for the Jets. Garrett Wilson had eight receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown and Lazard made six catches for 114 yards.
Buffalo drove 64 yards on 11 plays to set up Bass' tiebreaking field goal. Johnson then intercepted Rodgers' third-down throw at the Bills' 18-yard line with 1:52 to play.
Allen ran for a key first down to help the Bills run out the clock.
New York's Greg Zuerlein twice missed field goals in the second half by hitting the left upright.
Buffalo led 20-10 near the end of the first half when Rodgers dropped back and tossed a long throw toward the end zone. A pack of Bills were nearby, but Lazard was able to make the 52-yard scoring catch with no time remaining.
The Jets later tied the score at 20 on Zuerlein's 22-yard field goal with 6:13 left in the third quarter.
But Zuerlein clanked a 32-yard field goal off the left upright with 55 seconds remaining in the period. Then he hit the left upright from 43 yards out with 9:44 left in the contest.
Zuerlein started the game's scoring with a 34-yard field goal on New York's initial drive.
Less than five minutes later, Allen scored from the 1 for Buffalo with 6:12 left in the quarter. Rodgers hit Wilson on a 5-yard score four-plus minutes later as the Jets took a 10-7 edge.
Allen threw second-quarter touchdown passes of 8 yards to Mack Hollins and 12 yards to Dawson Knox. Bass was way wide to the left while missing the extra point after the first of those scores.
Both teams were penalized 11 times -- New York for 110 yards and the Bills for 94.