New Play-caller, Coach Can’t Deliver Aaron Rodgers a Win in First Game Post-Saleh Firing
One play sums up the New York Jets’ 2024 season: Mike Williams slipping.
In their first game under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, following Robert Saleh’s firing, the Jets had a chance to beat the Buffalo Bills despite multiple mistakes, including numerous penalties and missed field goals. Late in the game, Aaron Rodgers connected with Williams on what looked like a huge gain, positioning the Jets in the red zone. But as Williams came back to the ball, he slipped, allowing Bills cornerback Taron Johnson to dive in and grab a game-sealing interception.
That moment encapsulates the Jets’ season—opportunity within reach, only to stumble. After the pick, the Bills ran out the clock to secure a 23-20 win.
The Jets knew the stakes. A win would put them at 3-3 and atop the AFC East. A loss dropped them to 2-4, two games behind the Bills. Mid-October felt like a must-win situation, especially after the coaching shakeup.
With no further changes coming, the Jets are left in a tough spot, struggling to get out of their own way.
Jets Get a Big Hail Mary Despite their struggles, the Jets stayed in the game thanks to big plays from their stars. Breece Hall broke out of his slump, resembling his former self, while Garrett Wilson caught a touchdown and had a strong first half. The change in play-calling, from Nathaniel Hackett to Todd Downing, was noticeable.
The Jets’ biggest first-half play came from a bit of luck—or maybe skill—on another Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary. At the end of the first half, Rodgers launched a 52-yard touchdown to Allen Lazard, marking his fourth career Hail Mary and first with the Jets.
Rodgers’ magic kept the Jets close despite a dominant performance from Bills QB Josh Allen, who scored on a QB sneak, threw for two touchdowns, and made big plays all over the field, including a 42-yard pass to Ray Davis.
While Allen was the best player on the field, the Jets had their moments but kept making costly mistakes.
Jets Keep Making Mistakes Despite the coaching change, the Jets’ issues persisted. A holding penalty in the third quarter negated a Braelon Allen touchdown. Garrett Wilson dropped a would-be touchdown after taking a hard hit, and Greg Zuerlein missed a 32-yard field goal that bounced off the crossbar. Later, Zuerlein missed another crucial field goal, this time from 43 yards, which also hit the crossbar. The Jets squandered opportunities to take control of the game, tied at 20-20.
All season, the Jets have been plagued by poor execution—mistimed routes, key penalties, and missed field goals. Monday night’s game was no different, despite the change in leadership.
The Bills made mistakes too, with kicker Tyler Bass missing both an extra point and a field goal. Their offense stalled in the second half but still managed a go-ahead field goal with 3:43 left. Jets defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw added to New York’s problems with a questionable roughing the passer penalty and a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the field goal.
The Jets had one final chance, helped by a replay review overturning a Rodgers fumble and a defensive pass interference call. However, a holding penalty wiped out a Breece Hall first down, and Williams’ slip led to Rodgers’ interception.
Allen’s final scramble secured a first down, allowing the Bills to run out the clock.
In tight games, few teams make as many critical mistakes as the Jets. Saleh may have taken the fall for the team’s poor start, butthe results stayed the same.