Instant Observations: Josh Allen, Bills meltdown in brutal loss to Aaron Rodgers-less Jets on MNF

East Rutherford, N.J. — A battle between AFC East heavyweights took a wild turn early in the game when New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers left the game with an ankle injury.

What followed was four quarters of sloppy football by the Buffalo Bills and one of the worst regular-season losses of Josh Allen’s career.

The Bills blew a 13-3 halftime lead and gave up the game-winning touchdown in overtime on a returned punt by Jets rookie Zavier Gipson. The Bills turned over the ball four times in the loss – three interceptions and a fumble by quarterback Josh Allen.

Here are some immediate takeaways.

Josh Allen takes Bills fans on nightmarish roller coaster

Allen spoke numerous times this offseason about making better decisions as a runner and he threw that plan out the window against the Jets. Allen had multiple runs in the first half where he put his body in jeopardy, none more egregious than a run that earned a first down in the second quarter. Allen had the opportunity to step out of bounds after making enough yards for the first down but instead chose to take on a defender.

Allen took plenty of chances with his arm, too. He finished with three interceptions, all by safety Jordan Whitehead. The first two were deep balls from Allen into double coverage. The last one was just a bad throw that allowed Whitehead to jump in front of Gabe Davis and pick it off.

Allen’s protection was brutal, which didn’t help things for the Bills quarterback. He was hit eight times and sacked five times, often looking to escape the pocket before he had a chance to move to his second or third reads. Arguably the worst play of the night for Allen, who had a bunch, was a fumble after the Jets tied the game at 13 late in the fourth quarter. He fumbled the snap on the first play of the next drive, recovered the ball, and then fumbled it again as he was tackled. The Jets recovered and scored a field goal to take their first lead of the game.

Allen drove the Bills down the field for the game-tying field goal with just two seconds left in regulation but threw an incompletion on 3rd down in overtime after the Bills got the ball first. Buffalo went three and out and had to punt – which the Jets returned for a touchdown.

Leonard Floyd and Greg Rousseau wreak havoc

One of the bright spots for the Bills – and there aren’t many – was the defensive line. With Von Miller out for the first four weeks, third-year pass rusher Greg Rousseau needed to come out hot to start the season. He delivered on Monday night, pressuring the quarterback consistently throughout the game. His new teammate Leonard Floyd was just as dominant. Floyd had 1.5 sacks in his Bills debut after coming over from the Los Angeles Rams in free agency.

Once Zach Wilson entered the game for Rodgers, he was under duress most of the night. One of Rousseau’s best rushes of the night forced Wilson to move up in the pocket and right into a Floyd and Ed Oliver sack. The Bills defensive line played big throughout and it was Floyd’s hit on Rodgers that ended his night.

Christian Benford with huge early play

Jets running back Breece Hall came storming out in his return from a torn ACL, breaking off two explosive runs against the Bills. He got out and forced two missed tackles before taking in 83 yards. The only thing that stopped him from scoring a touchdown was cornerback Christian Benford, who was on the other side of the field. He ran behind Hall and caught him from behind to keep from scoring. The Jets had to settle for a field goal.

Tre’Davious White gave up a touchdown in one-on-one coverage against Garrett Wilson in the fourth quarter, getting outmuscled but the second-year pass catcher.

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