Aaron Rodgers laments missed “golden opportunity” in “treacherous” loss to Bills

The New York Jets had plenty of chances to get the win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Instead, like so many other Gang Green games of the past generation, they missed their chance and lost 23-20 in a mistake-filled match at MetLife Stadium.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said, via the Associated Press. “Some games you win in the NFL, others you give away. That was a gift.”

The Jets fell behind in the second quarter behind a defense overloaded by the Bills' running game, allowing Buffalo to score three 70-yard scoring drives in the first half. A Rodgers Hail Mary prayer was answered to end the quarter and put the Jets up 20-17.

A first-period field goal by the Jets in the third quarter tied the game at 20-0, and the clubs traded errors throughout the second half. Buffalo finally prevailed with a late three-pointer, and Gang Green missed opportunities to take the lead.

“We were terrible in the red zone,” Rodgers said. “We missed two field goals. We didn't convert the ball after two minutes. We had a lot of chances.”

The game essentially ended with an interception by Rogers after the two-minute warning on a play where receiver Mike Williams was open but slipped while adjusting to the ball, allowing Bills' Taron Johnson to hit a diving pick.

“It’s frustrating,” Rodgers said. “I'm here to win these games, but we have to pay attention to our details. It’s little things every time.”

The Jets moved the ball under new play-caller Todd Downing without a three-and-out and gained 393 yards. Rodgers finished 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two touchdowns and the INT. Breece Hall ran for 113 yards and had 56 yards. Garrett Wilson had eight catches for 107 yards and Allen Lazard had six receptions – including the Hail Mary grab – for 114 yards.

The Jets had multiple receivers with more than 100 receiving yards and a rusher with more than 100 rushing yards compared to the Bills for the first time since Week 2 of 2016.

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

Instead, the attacks faltered in the second half and Greg Zuerlein hit the post with two kicks, sealing the Jets' fate.

Rodgers condemned the penalty-only competition, which saw each club generate 11 accepted flags, totaling 204 penalty meters.

“It seemed a little ridiculous,” Rodgers said over the line. “Some (of the calls) seemed really bad, including the rough tackle on the passer (by AJ Epenesa). That doesn't mean that I attack the passer roughly. You might as well play Sarcastaball (based on the TV show). South Park), if we want to name these things.”

The Same Ol' Jets had a chance to take control of the AFC East under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich. Gang Green lost their third straight game 4-2.

“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.”

With another primetime game coming up in Pittsburgh against the 4-2 Steelers in Week 7, Ulbrich will need his team to respond quickly before things get bleaker in New York