The New York Jets battled back to pick up an opening week win in dramatic fashion as rookie running back Xavier Gipson ran for a 65-yard game-winning touchdown to seal the deal from MetLife , but that was the second story at the Meadowlands on Monday night. Aaron Rodgers went down early with a lower leg injury, and many in New York feared the worst after the 22-16 victory.
Disaster came early for the Jets
The buzz in New York is electric as Aaron Rodgers is set to make his Jets debut on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11. He took the American flag from the tunnel as he was introduced for the first time to Jets fans at the Meadowlands, but the stadium was silenced on New York’s fourth offensive play of the game as Rodgers went down with a lower leg injury.
He was helped off the field and then taken to the locker room with a boot on his leg before missing the rest of the game. The first one though is a potential ankle injury, but there are rumblings around New York that it could be an achilles injury more serious. Jets fans and players seemed stunned as all the hype and excitement disappeared in an instant and Robert Saleh told reporters after the game that “it doesn’t look good,” when asked about Rodgers’ injury status.
Zach Wilson entered the game after Rodgers went to the locker room, and the Jets offense sputtered for most of the game, but the defense was heroic on a night when the Jets had to deal with the devastation of a potential loss. of their QB1 for the foreseeable future.
Allen had a terrible night
Josh Allen and Buffalo were unable to break open the Jets’ defense, despite going up 10-3 thanks to a second quarter touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs. That’s the only bright spot in the Bills’ opener Allen went on to throw three interceptions, all by Jordan Whitehead.
Thanks to Whitehead’s third interception of the night, the Jets gained good field position that led to their only offensive touchdown in the game. Wilson found future superstar Garrett Wilson making a one-handed snag in the end zone to tie the game at 13-13 with less than five minutes remaining.
On the next play from scrimmage, Josh Allen fumbled the ball, causing his fourth turnover of the game, and the Jets took the lead on a Greg Zuerlein chip shot from 30 yards out with 1:48 left in the game.
Rookie Gipson is the hero
That was enough time for Allen to hit Diggs on three of his four completions on the final drive of regulation and put up 50 yards. Tyler Bass’ field goal bounced off the left goal post and through the uprights to tie the game at 16-16 with two seconds on the clock.
The Bills won the toss in overtime, but had three and outs on their first drive, and on the ensuing punt. Rookie Xavier Gipson took it 65 yards to the house for the walkoff winner to give the Jets an emotional Week 1 win.
It was a bittersweet victory for the Jets who knew their season was riding on the results of Aaron Rodgers’ left foot test.
