Aaron Rodgers laments missed 'golden opportunity' in 'giveaway' loss to Bills

The New York Jets had a lot of potential to pull off a Monday night win over the Buffalo Bills. Instead, like every other Gang Green game of the past generation, they squandered the opportunity, falling 23-20 in a misfired matchup at MetLife Stadium.

“It 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. It was a gift.”

The Jets fell behind in the second quarter in the Bills' running game behind a defense that allowed Buffalo three scoring drives of 70-plus yards in the first half. A Rodgers Hail Mary prayer was answered to close the quarter, pulling the Jets to within 20-17.

A Jets field goal on the first drive in the third quarter tied the game at 20, and the clubs traded errors throughout the second half. Buffalo finally broke through with a late three-pointer, and Gang Green had a chance to go ahead.

“We were terrible in the red zone,” Rodgers said. “We missed two field goals. We didn't convert on the 2-minute drive. We had plenty of opportunities.”

The game essentially ended with a Rodgers interception after a two-minute warning on a play where receiver Mike Williams was open but slipped to adjust to the ball, allowing the Bills' Taron Johnson to make a diving pick.

“It's frustrating,” Rogers said. “I'm here to win those games, but we have to be about our details. It's the little things every time.”

The Jets moved the ball under new play-caller Todd Downing, going 393 yards without going three-and-outs. Rodgers finished 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two touchdowns and an INT. Brice Hall ran for 113 yards and had 56 receptions. Garrett Wilson had eight catches for 107 yards and Allen Lazard had six receptions – including a Hail Mary grab – for 114 yards.

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

“I thought we were going to have a big night on offense,” Rodgers said. “On offense it should have been a 30-plus point game and it shouldn't even have been a conversation.”

Instead, the second-half drive stalled, and Greg Zuerlein hit two straight kicks, sealing the Jets' fate.

Rodgers decried the penalty-filled contest, in which each club produced 11 recognized flags for 204 penalty yards.

“It seemed a little ridiculous,” Rogers said of officiating. “Something [the calls] Felt really bad with the roughness of the passerby on me [by AJ Epenesa]. That trail is not rough. You can also play Sarcastable [referencing the TV show South Park] If we're going to call those things.”

With a chance to take over the AFC East lead under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, the same ol' Jets show up. Gang Green lost their third straight game, falling to 2-4.

“We're not out of this thing by any means. No way,” Ulbricht said. “I know the character in that locker room. I know how we're going to respond. … We've got to start stacking up this week's exceptional preparation. I promise you it's going to start paying off on Sunday.”

With another primetime game on tap — against the 4-2 Steelers in Pittsburgh — in Week 7, Ulbricht needs his crew to respond quickly before things get dark in New York.