Wilson, the Jets’ defense stunned Allen, the Bills in a 20-17 victory

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – The Jets defense shut down Josh Allen, Zach Wilson threw a touchdown pass and Greg Zuerlein kicked a 28-yard field goal with 1:43 left to lift New York to a stunning 20-17 victory over Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

With the score tied at 17, the Jets got the ball at their own 4 with 7:53 left — and headed to the ground.

After marching down the field to the Bills 18 on eight straight plays against a tired Buffalo defense, Wilson connected with Denzel Mims for 12 yards on third-and-5. But the drive stalled when Wilson was sacked by Damar Hamlin on third down and the Jets settled for Zuerlein’s field goal.

Allen got the ball with a chance to tie or win, but didn’t do much against the Jets (6-3). A holding call on Dion Dawkins wiped out a long pass to Stefon Diggs. Two plays later, Bryce Huff had an Allen strip sack that Buffalo recovered at its own 14.

After an incompletion to Diggs, Allen threw a deep desperation pass to Gabe Davis — but rookie Sauce Gardner threw the ball away to seal the Jets’ unlikely win. The Bills’ four-game winning streak was also snapped.

New York enters last break just a half-game behind AFC East-leading Buffalo (6-2). The Jets even overcame a brief delay in the second half when the overhead camera malfunctioned.

“That only happens to the Jets,” said a smiling coach Robert Saleh.

Wilson completed 18 of 25 for 154 yards and a TD pass to James Robinson, who scored for the first time since being acquired by Jacksonville last week. Michael Carter had a 6-yard touchdown run.

But the defense did its job against Allen, intercepting him twice and sacking him five times. Allen was 18 of 34 for 205 and INTs to Gardner and Jordan Whitehead. He also ran for two touchdowns.

Wilson and the Jets offense were marching down the field on the first drive of the second half when the SkyCam went out of control, delaying the game on the field for 12 minutes until the cameraman was able to catch it.

The teams resumed play, but the Jets were immediately called for a fielding penalty. Three plays later, Von Miller sacked Wilson, and his fumble was recovered by AJ Epenes to give Buffalo the ball.

The sack gave Miller 122 1/2 for his career, passing Simeon Rice (122) for 20th on the NFL list.

But then New York’s defense stiffened, Quinnen Williams sacked Allen, and then Gardner came up with an interception to give the Jets the ball back at the Bills 19. Wilson’s 7-yard pass to Robinson gave the Jets a 17-14 lead with 4:03 left in the the third quarter.

Tyler Bass’ 51-yarder tied the game for Buffalo with 13:33 left.

After Allen was intercepted by Whitehead on the Bills’ third play from scrimmage, Buffalo converted three third-down plays on its next drive, including Allen’s 11-yard run that was initially ruled a touchdown before video review showed it was missing the goal line. On the next play, the Bills’ quarterback pushed forward to give Buffalo a 7-0 lead.

Allen’s second touchdown run came with 6:30 left in the first half on a 36-yard scamper – the longest TD run of his career.

Coming out after the two-minute warning, Wilson hit CJ Uzomah for 5 yards on fourth-and-1 to put the Jets at the Bills 27. Three plays later, Carter had a 10-yard catch and then a 6-yard run up the middle to cut New York’s deficit to 14. -10.

The Bills had a chance to add to their lead, but Bass’ 55-yard field goal was wide just as time expired in the half.

INJURIES

Bills: Greg Rousseau left the first half with an ankle injury. … CB Kaiir Elam injured his ankle in the third quarter. … CB Tre’Davious White was activated from injured reserve this week and did not appear on Buffalo’s injury report, but was inactive. … LB Matt Milano (oblique) is out after questionable.

Jets: DT Sheldon Rankins injured his elbow in the first quarter and did not return.

NEXT

Bills: Return home to play the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday.

Jets: Head into their week off before a rematch with the AFC East rival Patriots in New England on Nov. 20.

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