Aaron Rodgers, Jets regret penalties, missed opportunities in loss to Bills

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – For the third week in a row, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers had to account for a loss in which his team missed a chance to win the game on its final possession. This time he seemed more frustrated – and worried – than ever before.

“We've got to get going,” Rodgers said Monday night after the Jets – in their first game under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich – fell to 2-4 with a 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. “This was a unique opportunity. Some games you win in the NFL, others you give away. That was a gift.”

Not only did he criticize the Jets' performance, Rodgers also questioned the officiating. The teams combined for 22 penalties and 204 yards, including 11 of 110 by the Jets, who suffered from the same problems under former coach Robert Saleh.

“It seemed a little ridiculous,” Rodgers said over the line. “Some of (the calls) seemed really bad, including the rough handling of the passer (by AJ Epenesa). “I’ll name these things. And I thought (Javon) Kinlaw wasn’t roughing up the passer either.”

Rodgers also lamented a “phantom holding call” on tackle Tyron Smith that negated a scoring run by Braelon Allen that would have given the Jets a 27-20 lead in the third quarter. They didn't score any points as Greg Zuerlein missed his second field goal of the night.

The Jets, who fired Saleh last Tuesday, capped a tumultuous week with a performance unlike many others. There were too many penalties and too many missed opportunities.

Under new playcaller Todd Downing, who replaced the demoted Nathaniel Hackett, the offense managed to gain 393 total yards, but went 1-for-4 in the red zone. One of his two touchdowns was a miracle play – a 52-yard Hail Mary to Allen Lazard at the end of the first half that cut the Bills' lead to 20-17.

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson described the penalties, mistakes and missed opportunities as “demoralizing.” “We have to find a way to score touchdowns because I don’t want to keep feeling like this,” he said.

The Jets have lost three straight times by a total of 10 points. The last two games ended with a Rodgers interception on their final possession. For the first time in his 20-year career, Rodgers has a losing record after six games.

“It’s frustrating,” he said. “I’m here to win these games.”

This time, Rodgers got the ball on his 30th point with 3:43 left in the game – 70 yards from a touchdown that might have put the Jets in a tie for first place with the Bills (4-2). The last time the Jets shared first place after Week 6 was 2012 – the NFL's longest losing streak.

There was no Rodgers magic.

The drive imploded with a sack and two Jets penalties (one tied) and ended with a third-and-16 deep ball to Mike Williams that was intercepted by Taron Johnson at the Bills' 18-yard line. Rodgers suggested there was a miscommunication between him and Williams, who suffered a head injury on the play.

Rodgers (23 of 35) threw for a season-high 294 yards, including two touchdowns, but was not pleased with the overall performance of the offense. He said attention to detail needed to be improved. He could also improve. He was just 3 of 8 in the red zone, including four passes that were either tipped or defended.

“I thought we were going to have a big night offensively,” he said. “Again, there should have been a 30-plus point game on offense and that shouldn’t even be talked about.”

Owner Woody Johnson fired Saleh in hopes of creating a new energy under the fiery Ulbrich. It worked – for a short time. After Rodgers' Hail Mary to Lazard – the fourth Hail Mary touchdown of Rodgers' career – the Jets entered halftime with momentum. But they left it in the locker room and managed just one field goal in the second half.

Now there is a risk that they will be eliminated from the competition.

“We are far from out of this thing. Absolutely not,” said Ulbrich. “I know the character of this locker room. I know how we will react. …We need to start stacking up these weeks of extraordinary preparation. I promise you it will pay off on Sundays.”