After upset of Bills, Jets eye revenge against Patriots: ‘I can’t wait to go against them again’

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson (52) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won, 20-17.

D.J. Reed just finished helping the Jets pull off one of the biggest upsets of the NFL season. And the locker room was still buzzing after the 20-17 win over the Bills. And Reed could have been savoring the moment, or looking forward to the upcoming weekend off with the Jets’ bye finally at hand.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets running back James Robinson (23) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won, 20-17.

Instead, Reed’s face lit up when he was asked about the Jets’ next opponent: they travel to Foxborough to face the Patriots in two weeks.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) leaves the field after he led the Jets to an upset win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won, 20-17.

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© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims (11) takes a big hit but hangs onto the ball for a key first down during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won, 20-17.

“Yeah,” Reed said, when asked if he was excited about the chance to play the Patriots, grinning for emphasis and then doing it again as he repeated his answer. “Yeah. Exciting. I’m very happy about that. I think everybody is.”

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is hit by New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) during the second half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won, 20-17.

The Jets win over the Bills might have turned a lot of doubters into believers outside the building. But inside of it was no surprise. They thought they were going to win, and they did. What they were more surprised about and upset about, is the way they played against the Patriots when they had a chance to snap a 12-game losing streak to their most hated divisional rival, and let it slip away with mistakes in all three phases of the ball.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh begins the celebration after his team stops the Buffalo Bills on their final drive, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defense held on for a 20-17 victory.

The end result was a 22-17 loss and the Patriots’ 13th straight win over the Jets, who don’t have a win over the Patriots since December 2015.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets running back James Robinson (23) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won, 20-17.

Jets fans are obviously desperate to break the streak. But even guys who haven’t been here for long have it at the top of their minds moving forward.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Buffalo Bills guard Greg Van Roten (75) congratulates New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) after the Jets beat the Bills on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won, 20-17.

When asked what he works on during the week, star rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner brought up the loss to the Patriots on his own.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) puts his head down to absorb a hit from New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J.

“I always feel like I got a lot of stuff to work on, that’s why I’ve been able to play well, ” Gardner said. “But it took me a little minute to bounce back from that game last [week]. Because I’m like, ‘Ain’t no way we lost that game.’ It took me until Wednesday, when we had a practice, to be like, ‘Alright, last week’s behind us, we’ve got a great group of receivers that I’ve got to go against.’”

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets running back Michael Carter (32) scores a rushing touchdown during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J.

Gardner was able to dial in just fine. He got burned by Bills star Stefon Diggs early in the game, but rebounded to make several key plays, including a game-changing interception in the third quarter and the game-sealing pass breakup, securing the Jets’ fifth win in their last six games.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (30) breaks u a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (6) during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J.

But Gardner, much like Reed, says he’s thinking a lot more about the Jets’ next challenge than the off-weekend ahead.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws a pass during the second quarter against the New York Jets during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J.

“Man, it defintely is [something I’m looking forward to],” Gardner said. “I was telling myself, ‘I can’t wait to go against them again.’ But I can’t wait for the bye week as well. I need that.”

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (92) delivers a hit on New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. Wilson was shaken up on this play, but returned to the game.

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© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) sits on the bench as quarterback Joe Flacco (in sweats) chats with tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) during the first half against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J.

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© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) lays a hit on Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26), but Singletary is able to hang onto the ball during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J.

And when Gardner and the Jets return, the stakes will be quite high: A win over the Patriots (4-4) would give the Jets wins over all three teams in the division – after going three two straight seasons without a single win against a divisional opponent – and put them in position to potentially win the division for the first time since 2002.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) carries the ball for a first down against the New York Jets during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J.

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© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Umpire Paul King (121) points to New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) who was injured on a play in the first half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. Wilson was able to return to the game.

Andy Vasquez may be reached at avasquez@njadvancemedia.com.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (92) delivers a hit on New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. Wilson was shaken up on this play, but returned to the game.

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© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets running back Michael Carter (32) runs by Buffalo Bills safety Jaquan Johnson (4) for a big gain during the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff (47) delivers a hit on Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17), causing a fumble on the Bills final drive on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defense held on for a 20-17 victory.