Revisiting five New York Jets to watch vs. the Buffalo Bills

The New York Jets lost to the Buffalo Bills on Monday, dropping a 23-20 contest that their quarterback called a "giveaway" game rather than a loss. Granted, the Jets did outgain the Bills, traveling 393 yards to Buffalo's 359, and they even possessed the ball a hair longer by keeping it for 30:26 on the night.

However, the Jets were just 1-of-4 in the red zone while the Bills were 3-of-4, and New York's kicker missed two easy field goals while Buffalo's missed an extra point and a slightly less-easy field goal in the swirling winds of MetLife Stadium. The Bills didn't commit a turnover, while the Jets committed one. In all, it was a pretty evenly matched contest.

The Jets had a few players put up pretty big numbers Monday night. Here's how our five players to watch fared.

QB Aaron Rodgers The elder statesman of the game was sharp throughout. Rodgers completed 23-of-35 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and a very costly interception. Facing a 3rd & 16 right before the two-minute warning during the fourth quarter, Rodgers went for the dagger by throwing a deep ball to wide receiver Mike Williams rather than taking the easy money and checking down to running back Breece Hall — who had plenty of room to gain most, if not all, of the 16 yards needed for that first down.

Rodgers expected Williams to run his route closer to the sideline, but when he saw that Williams had run it as an "in-breaker," the quarterback had to adjust his motion at the last second. That led to a wounded duck of a throw, which hung high and short. Williams slipped while trying to turn to catch it, and Buffalo's Taron Johnson made a fantastic catch to secure an interception.

Why do I know exactly what was supposed to happen on the play? Because, conveniently, Rodgers told everyone in his press conference right after the game. Nothing screams "leader" like making sure everyone in the world knows that it wasn't your fault, right? Whether you believe in Rodgers' public call-out of his receiver or agree with the Ryan Fitzpatrick method of dealing with the situation , I respect your opinion. As for me, I'm with Fitz.

RB Braelon Allen I guess I was a little too cute with this pick, as Allen carried just three times for eight yards on the night. He dropped two passes, as well. Allen did have a touchdown called back on a holding penalty, which led to one of Greg Zuerlein's two short field-goal misses. Breece Hall, on the other hand, was dynamite, rushing 18 times for 113 yards and catching five passes for 56 more.

WR Garrett Wilson Wilson was tremendously difficult to guard on Monday night, whether the Bills used Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, or Rasul Douglas as the primary defender. Rodgers found his top man eight times for 107 yards and a touchdown, but it was his other leading man, Allen Lazard, who had the big highlight.

Lazard caught a Hail Mary touchdown at the end of the first half that was played so poorly by the Bills that it almost looked like they gave it to him on purpose. Lazard had six grabs for 114 yards and the aforementioned 52-yard touchdown.

Both wideouts were able to find plenty of space against a Buffalo defense that was content to play coverage and let the veteran quarterback make throws from a clean pocket for much of the evening.

T Olu Fashanu Right tackle Morgan Moses was not out, so Fashanu did not play. The Bills notched three sacks, two of which came from defensive end A.J. Epenesa when he was working on left tackle Tyron Smith.

DL Will McDonald IV Things were a little chippy on Monday, and McDonald's battle with Bills right tackle Spencer Brown was a big part of that. McDonald had two tackles, and he was credited with a sack and a forced fumble on quarterback Josh Allen. However, the forced fumble looked less like McDonald actually doing anything and more like Allen losing his grip on the ball while trying to evade the rush. In any case, that makes seven sacks so far this season for the second-year man.