The New York Jets host the Buffalo Bills at Metlife Stadium in a division matchup this Sunday September 14. Both teams had a good outing in week one even though the Jets came up short there were still a lot of positives from both teams to look at. During Week one, the Bills took on the Ravens at home and the Jets took on the Steelers at home as well.
On Sunday Night Football, two of the league’s best quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen put on a show. The Bills started the scoring ending the first quarter with a 7-3 lead. In the 2nd quarter Derrick Henry, running back of the Baltimore Ravens rushed for 30 yards resulting in a touchdown. Jackson would also score a rushing touchdown extending the lead to 17-7. In the 3rd quarter, the Ravens offense would explode as wide receiver Zay Flowers scored a 23-yard touchdown and Deandre Hopkins snagged a one handed pass from 29 yards into the endzone for the touchdown.
The 4th quarter would be a turning point for the Bills. The Ravens had a 40-25 after Josh Allen ran for a touchdown and Derrick ran for 46 yards for a touchdown of his own. With 7 minutes remaining Josh Allen put the Bills on his back. Allen threw a 10-yard pass to wide receiver Keon Coleman into the endzone for the touchdown with the lead now 40-32. The Ravens would fumble the football. On the Ravens 30, Josh Allen would move the football down the field resulting in his own rushing touchdown as Prater would kick in the field goal. The score is now 40-38. The Ravens had a quick 3 and out. Matt Prater the Bills kicker would kick in the game winning field which gave the Bills the win 41-40.
The Jets would make a lot of noise against the Steelers. Quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers Aaron Rodgers would return to play his old team just like Jets quarterback Justin Fields. Both teams have been in the headlines all summer. This game was an old fashioned shootout. In the first quarter Jets kicker Nick Folk scored a 35-yard field goal. Rodgers would throw a 22-yard pass to Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek for the touchdown. Fields would respond by throwing a 33-yard pass to Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson for the touchdown. In the 2nd quarter Jets running back Braelon Allen would rush into the endzone for the touchdown giving the Jets a 16-10 lead. With just under three minutes left in the 1st half Rodgers initiates a drive ultimately finding Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith for a 3-yard touchdown.
In the 3rd quarter it was a punt fest until the end of the quarter where Justin Fields ran for a 2-yard rushing touchdown giving the Jets a 26-17 lead. In the 4th quarter Aaron Rodgers found Steelers running back Jaylen Warren in the endzone for a touchdown. Jets receiver/kick returner Xavier Gipson fumbled the football and the Steelers regained possession. Aaron Rodgers would throw his fourth touchdown to Calvin Austin III as the Steelers took the lead 31-26. Justin Fields took over and ran once again for his 2nd rushing touchdown. The Jets tried to go for the 2-point conversion but couldn’t capitalize. The Jets and Steelers had back-to-back 3 and outs. The Steelers had one last chance down 32-31 Steelers kicker Chris Boswell made a 60 yard field goal to give the Jets the lead. On 4th and 3 to extend the drive Justin Fields threw it to Garrett Wilson but he was taken down quickly by Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Steelers won 34-32.
Both teams have a lot to work on, especially on defense. The Bills gave up 40 points while the Jets gave up 34. These two teams are viewed by some if not most as the #1 and #2 teams in the AFC East. The stellar QB play of Josh Allen and Justin Fields in Week one look to carry over into Week two for this division rivalry.
