The New York Jets had numerous opportunities to beat the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Instead, like so many other Gang Green games over the generations, they squandered the opportunity, falling 23-20 in a flawless match at MetLife Stadium.

“This was a golden opportunity,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said, via the Associated Press. “Some games you win in the NFL and some games you give away. This was a giveaway.”

The Jets fell behind in the second quarter behind a defense stuffed by the Bills running game, allowing Buffalo three scoring drives of more than 70 yards in the first half. A Rodgers Hail Mary prayer was answered to end the quarter, putting the Jets up 20-17.

A Jets field goal on the first drive of the third quarter tied the game at 20, and the clubs traded fouls throughout the second half. Buffalo finally broke through with a late 3-pointer, and Gang Green gagged on opportunities to take the lead.

“We were terrible in the red zone,” Rodgers said. “We missed two field goals. We didn’t convert on a two-minute drive. We had plenty of chances.”

The game essentially ended with a Rogers interception after the two-minute warning on a play in which receiver Mike Williams got open but slipped as he adjusted to the ball, allowing Bills’ Taron Johnson to make a diving pick.

“It’s frustrating,” Rodgers said. “I’m here to win those games, but we have to pay attention to the details. It’s the little things every time.”

The Jets moved the ball under new play-caller Todd Downing, never going three-and-out and gaining 393 yards. Rodgers finished 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two TDs and the INT. Breece Hall ran for 113 yards and had 56 receptions. Garrett Wilson had eight catches for 107 yards, and Allen Lazard had six receptions — including the Hail Mary grab — for 114 yards.

The Jets had multiple receivers with more than 100 receiving yards and a rusher with more than 100 rushing yards against the Bills for the first time since Week 2, 2016.

“I thought we were going to have a big night on offense,” Rodgers said. “It should have been a 30-plus point offensive game and this shouldn’t even be a conversation.”

Instead, the drives stalled in the second half and Greg Zuerlein hit the upright with two punts, sealing the Jets’ fate.

Rodgers lambasted the penalty-filled match, which saw each club generate 11 accepted flags, totaling 204 penalty metres.

“It seemed a little ridiculous,” Rodgers said of the officiating official. “Some of (the calls) seemed really bad, including the roughing of the passer on me (by AJ Epenesa). That’s not roughing the passer. You might as well play Sarcastaball (referring to the TV show South Park) if we’re going to call those things.”

With a chance to take over the reins of the AFC East under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Same Ol’ Jets showed up. Gang Green lost their third straight match, falling to 2-4.

“We are certainly not out of this situation. Not under any circumstances,” Ulbrich said. “I know the character of that locker room. I know how we will respond. … We have to start building these weeks of exceptional preparation. I promise you it will pay off on Sunday.”

With another primetime game on the schedule – in Pittsburgh against the 4-2 Steelers – in Week 7, Ulbrich needs his team to respond quickly before things get darker in New York.