5 key takeaways from Jets-Bills Week 6 MNF showdown

The New York Jets and Buffalo Bills met on Monday Night Football in a pivotal game – over a year since Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on his Jets debut – with the AFC East lead on the line.

Ultimately, it would be the Bills, the reigning division champions, who prevailed 23-20 after Taron Johnson intercepted the multiple-time MVP with two minutes left.

Here's a look are five big takeaways from the game.

5 biggest takeaways from Buffalo Bills' 23-20 win over New York Jets

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#5. Greg Zuerlein needs to be replaced

Monday was not a good time to be a kicker. Tyler Bass missed one of his field goal attempts as well as an extra point. But Greg Zuerlein managed to be even worse, missing two field goal attempts off the uprights – one of which would have tied the game.

There have been past instances of kickers being cut midseason, and it looks to be the case here. The Jets surely should be enviously looking at the Bills, who tried out Cade York and Anders Carlson last month. Riley Patterson and Rodrigo Blankenship are also available.

#4. The Bills' secondary once again proves its mettle

When the Bills lost cornerback Tre'Davious White and the safety duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde during the offseason, speculation arose as to whether those left behind would step up.

Tonight, they did. Damar Hamlin had seven tackles (six solo) but it was Taylor Rapp and Taroin Johnson with the strongest impact. Each man had eight tackles and stopped some big plays, even as Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard hit 100 yards and a touchdown each.

#3. Breece Hall is back to his best under Todd Downing

Heading into 2024, Breece Hall was expected to be a focal point of the Jets' offense after nearly hitting 1,000 yards as a sophomore. In the first five games, however, he was almost nowhere to be found, failing to crack even a hundred yards in each of them.

Then, Nathaniel Hackett lost playcalling duties to Todd Downing, who has had a history of run-heavy systems dating back at least to when he was with the Tennessee Titans. And the move paid off – Hall had 113 yards on 18 carries.

More performances like these may be expected in future games with this duo.

#2. Bills may be the AFC East's only playoff team in 2024

The 2024 NFL season has seen its fair share of shocking regressions. The San Francisco 49ers most notably look nothing like Super Bowl contenders after six games, especially with Christian McCaffrey still not playing, while the Los Angeles Rams have been ravaged by injuries again, especially to the offensive line.

But they pale in comparison to the disappointment that the AFC East currently is. The New England Patriots are still struggling and rebuilding in the post-Bill Belichick era, but the Miami Dolphins have also completely collapsed – and that was even before Tua Tagovailoa went to IR with a concussion. And then there are the Jets, struggling even with Aaron Rodgers under center.

If the current situation holds well into January 2025, then the Bills may be the division's only playoff representative.

#1. Aaron Rodgers must be benched for Jordan Travis

It is time – time for a youth movement to arise in Gang Green.

When Aaron Rodgers was traded to the Jets, he was expected to instantly turn them into Super Bowl contenders. Much has been said about the shocking Achilles rupture on his debut, but his 2024 performance has proven just as shocking: Disappointing and mired in various problems.

There is arguably only one solution to the situation and that is to permanently replace him with Jordan Travis. The fifth-round rookie was dominant at Florida State, leading the Seminoles to an undefeated record in 2023. Such an alpha mentality is what a team with capable weapons on both the offense and defense needs.