EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — — Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills expected to go into halftime against the New York Jets with a 10-point lead and all the momentum.

That changed with a dazzling pass from Aaron Rodgers that sent the Jets and their fans into a frenzy and set social media abuzz.

“Kind of like a gut punch,” Allen said.

But he and the Bills overcame Rodgers’ 52-yard touchdown throw as the first half ended to outlast the Jets 23-20 on Monday night and take early-season control of the AFC East.

“We’re fighting adversity, coming into halftime, regrouping, saying let’s just control one play at a time,” Allen said. “We didn’t score as many points as I would like in the second half, but we found a solution.”

Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and Tyler Bass made up for an earlier miss by kicking a go-ahead 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left to help the Bills (4-2) snap a two-game skid . They have never lost three in a row with Allen starting at quarterback.

“It was a gritty win led by Josh,” coach Sean McDermott said.

The loss was the third in a row for the Jets (2-4), who capped a tumultuous week in which coach Robert Saleh was fired, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich replaced him as interim coach and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was demoted from the playoffs . the calling of duties in favor of Todd Downing.

“Yeah, it’s been a weird week,” Rodgers said.

Normally reliable kicker Greg Zuerlein missed two would-be go-ahead field goals for the Jets, hitting the left upright on both.

The match was also filled with yellow penalty flags: both teams were awarded 11 penalties.

Allen finished 19 of 25 for 215 yards. Rookie Ray Davis, filling in for the injured James Cook, ran for 97 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 55 yards.

With the Jets trailing 23-20 in the closing minutes, Rodgers threw deep for Mike Williams, but the pass was short and Taron Johnson – back after breaking his right forearm in the season opener – came up with a diving interception. Williams was assessed after the game for a head injury.

Allen and the Bills were then able to run out the clock and seal the victory. They are the only team in the AFC East with a winning record.

“Our main goal is to make the playoffs and you do that by winning your division,” Allen said. “We understand the gravity of these types of games, where we are 4-2 with a 2 1/2 game lead and a head-to-head win, instead of being 3-3 and in second place.

Rodgers was 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two TDs and the INT, and Breece Hall had 113 yards rushing and 56 receiving.

“I thought we were going to have a big night on offense,” Rodgers said.

It certainly looked like that’s where they were going.

With the Jets at their own 48 and perhaps hoping to get into field goal range before halftime, Rodgers took a few steps back and danced around a bit before launching the ball toward the end zone. Allen Lazard reached out in front of two Bills defenders and fell on his back.

After a brief meeting, the officials ruled it a touchdown.

“When you catch those waves of momentum, you have to ride them,” Ulbrich said. “And you have to finish a team, which we didn’t do.”

The Jets got into an early rhythm on offense, with Downing making the call as Rodgers got New York into the red zone. The Jets settled for a 34-yard field goal from Zuerlein, but it was New York’s first points on an opening drive this season.

Buffalo bounced back by rushing Ulbrich’s defense for 61 yards — including 48 on six carries from Davis — and capping the Bills’ opening drive with a 1-yard keeper from Allen to make it 7–3.

Allen’s 56th career TD run put him one behind OJ Simpson for second in franchise history.

Garrett Wilson gave the Jets the lead back on their next drive with a 5-yard TD catch that was initially ruled incomplete, but was reversed on replay of the video before Ulbrich had to challenge.

Allen led the Bills on a 90-yard drive to give Buffalo the lead back, capped by an 8-yard TD pass to Mack Hollins. Quinnen Williams got his hand on Bass’ extra point attempt, which sailed wide left.

Allen’s second touchdown pass was a 12-yard throw to Dawson Knox with 21 seconds left before halftime, putting Buffalo up 20–10.

Bass pushed a 47-yard wide right on Buffalo’s opening drive of the second half. Zuerlein tied the score at 20 midway through the third quarter with a 22-yarder.

The Jets looked to take the lead late on their next possession when Braelon Allen ran up the middle from four yards out, but left tackle Tyron Smith was called for holding. Rodgers connected with Wilson in the back of the end zone on the next play, but the wide receiver couldn’t hold onto the ball after being beaten by Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp.

Zuerlein then hit the left upright on a 32-yard attempt to keep the game tied. He also missed a potential go-ahead 43-yarder with 9:44 left in the fourth quarter, setting him up again.

Injuries

Jets S Chuck Clark sat out in the second quarter due to an ankle injury. …CB DJ Reed left in the third quarter with an injured groin.

Next

Bills: Host Tennessee on Sunday.

Jets: Play Sunday night at Pittsburgh.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL