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Allen and Bills overcome Rodgers' Hail Mary and beat Jets 23-20 to take control in AFC East

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Allen and Bills overcome Rodgers' Hail Mary and beat Jets 23-20 to take control in AFC East
Sport

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Allen and Bills overcome Rodgers' Hail Mary and beat Jets 23-20 to take control in AFC East

2024-10-15 13:11 Last Updated At:13:20

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills were expecting to go into halftime against the New York Jets with a 10-point lead and all the momentum.

That changed with one eye-popping pass by Aaron Rodgers that sent the Jets and their fans into a frenzy and had social media buzzing.

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New York Jets place kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) reacts after missing a field goal attempt with Thomas Morstead during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets place kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) reacts after missing a field goal attempt with Thomas Morstead during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, right, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, right, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, left, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, left, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates with running back Frank Gore Jr. (20) after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates with running back Frank Gore Jr. (20) after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins, left, celebrates with quarterback Josh Allen (17) and wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) after scoring against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins, left, celebrates with quarterback Josh Allen (17) and wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) after scoring against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

“Kind of a gut punch,” Allen said.

But he and the Bills overcame Rodgers' 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown throw as the first half ended to outlast the Jets 23-20 on Monday night and take early season control of the AFC East.

“Fighting through adversity, getting in at halftime, regrouping, saying let’s just control one play at a time,” Allen said. “We didn’t score as many points as I’d like in the second half, but found a way.”

Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and Tyler Bass made up for an earlier miss by kicking a go-ahead 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left to help the Bills (4-2) snap a two-game skid. They have never lost three straight with Allen starting at quarterback.

“It was a gritty win led by Josh,” coach Sean McDermott said.

The loss was the third in a row for the Jets (2-4), who capped a tumultuous week during which coach Robert Saleh was fired, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich replaced him as the interim coach and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was demoted from play-calling duties in favor of Todd Downing.

“Yeah, it was a weird week,” Rodgers said.

Normally reliable kicker Greg Zuerlein missed two potential go-ahead field goals for the Jets, hitting the left upright on both.

The game was also filled with yellow penalty flags — both teams had 11 penalties.

Allen finished 19 of 25 for 215 yards. Rookie Ray Davis, filling in for the injured James Cook, ran for 97 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 55 yards.

With the Jets trailing 23-20 in the closing minutes, Rodgers threw deep for Mike Williams but the pass was short and Taron Johnson — back after breaking his right forearm in the season opener — came up with a diving interception. Williams was evaluated for a head injury after the play.

Allen and the Bills were able to then run out the clock and seal the win. They're the only team in the AFC East with a winning record.

“Our No. 1 goal is making the playoffs and you do that by winning your division,” Allen said. "We understand the gravity of this type of game, us being 4-2 with a 2 1/2-game lead with a head-to-head win, as opposed to being 3-3 and in second place.

Rodgers was 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two touchdowns and the INT, and Breece Hall had 113 yards rushing and 56 receiving.

“I thought we were going to have a big night on offense,” Rodgers said.

It certainly seemed they were headed for that.

With the Jets at their own 48 and perhaps hoping to get into field goal range before halftime, Rodgers took a few steps back and danced around a bit before launching the ball toward the end zone. Allen Lazard reached up in front of two Bills defenders and fell on his back.

After a quick huddle, officials ruled it a touchdown.

“When you catch those waves of momentum, you’ve got to ride it,” Ulbrich said. “And you’ve got to finish a team, which we didn’t do.”

The Jets got in an early rhythm on offense with Downing calling the plays as Rodgers got New York into the red zone. The Jets settled for a 34-yard field goal by Zuerlein, but it was New York's first points on an opening drive this season.

Buffalo bounced back by gashing Ulbrich's defense for 61 yards rushing — including 48 on six carries by Davis — and capping the Bills' opening drive with a 1-yard keeper by Allen to make it 7-3.

Allen's 56th career TD run put him one behind O.J. Simpson for second in franchise history.

Garrett Wilson gave the Jets back the lead on their next drive with a 5-yard TD catch that was initially ruled incomplete but reversed on video replay before Ulbrich needed to challenge.

Allen led the Bills on a 90-yard drive to give Buffalo back the lead, capped by an 8-yard TD pass to Mack Hollins. Quinnen Williams got his hand on Bass' extra point try that sailed wide left.

Allen's second touchdown pass was a 12-yard throw to Dawson Knox with 21 seconds remaining before halftime to put Buffalo up 20-10.

Bass pushed a 47-yarder wide right on Buffalo's opening drive of the second half. Zuerlein tied it at 20 with a 22-yarder midway through the third quarter.

The Jets appeared to take the lead late on their next possession when Braelon Allen ran up the middle from 4 yards out, but left tackle Tyron Smith was called for holding. Rodgers connected with Wilson in the back of the end zone on the next play, but the wide receiver couldn't hold onto the ball after being walloped by Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp.

Zuerlein then hit the left upright on a 32-yard attempt to keep the game tied. He also missed a potential go-ahead 43-yarder with 9:44 left in the fourth quarter, hitting the upright again.

Jets S Chuck Clark was ruled out in the second quarter with an ankle injury. ... CB D.J. Reed left in the third quarter with an injured groin.

Bills: Host Tennessee on Sunday.

Jets: Play at Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

New York Jets place kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) reacts after missing a field goal attempt with Thomas Morstead during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets place kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) reacts after missing a field goal attempt with Thomas Morstead during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, right, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, right, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, left, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, left, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates with running back Frank Gore Jr. (20) after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates with running back Frank Gore Jr. (20) after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins, left, celebrates with quarterback Josh Allen (17) and wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) after scoring against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins, left, celebrates with quarterback Josh Allen (17) and wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) after scoring against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Quincy Jones, the multi-talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91.

Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, says he died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family. Jones was to have received an honorary Academy Award later this month.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Jones rose from running with gangs on the South Side of Chicago to the very heights of show business, becoming one of the first Black executives to thrive in Hollywood and leaving behind a vast musical catalog that includes some of the richest moments of American song and rhythm. Over the past half century, it was hard to find a music lover who did not own at least one record with Jones’ name on it or someone in the music, television or movie industries who did not have some connection to him.

Jones kept company with presidents and foreign leaders, movie stars and musicians, philanthropists and business leaders. He toured with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged records for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, composed the soundtracks for “Roots” and “In the Heat of the Night,” organized President Clinton’s first inaugural celebration and oversaw the all-star recording of “We Are the World.”

In a career that began when records were still played on vinyl at 78 rpm, singling out any work seems unfair. But honors likely go to his productions with Jackson on “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad,” albums universal in their style and appeal. Jones’ versatility and imagination fit perfectly with the bursting talents of Jackson as he sensationally transformed from child star to the “King of Pop.” On such classic tracks as “Billie Jean” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” Jones and Jackson drew upon disco, funk, rock, pop, R&B and jazz and African chants. For “Thriller,” some of the most memorable touches originated with Jones, who recruited Eddie Van Halen for a guitar solo on the genre-defying “Beat It” and brought in Vincent Price for a ghoulish voiceover on the title track.

“Thriller” sold more than 20 million copies in 1983 alone, helped Jackson become the first major Black artist to have a video played on MTV and influenced countless performers.

“Michael had the look and the voice, and I had every sound you can think of,” Jones would explain.

The list of his honors and awards fills 18 pages in his 2001 autobiography “Q”: 28 Grammys (out of 80 nominations), an honorary Academy Award and an Emmy for “Roots.” He also received France’s Legion d’Honneur and the Rudolph Valentino Award from the Republic of Italy. In 2001, Jones was named a Kennedy Center Honoree for his contributions to American culture. He was the subject of a 1990 documentary, “Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones,” and his memoir made him a best-selling author.

“Despite all the Grammys and the special awards and testimonials that maturity bestows, it will always be the values you carry within yourself — of work, love, and integrity — that carry the greatest worth, because these are what get you through with your dreams intact, your heart held firm and your spirit ready for another day,” he wrote in his book.

Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones would cite the hymns his mother sang around the house as the first music he could remember. But he looked back sadly on his childhood, telling Oprah Winfrey that “There are two kinds of people: those who have nurturing parents or caretakers, and those who don’t. Nothing’s in between.” Jones’ mother suffered from emotional problems and was eventually institutionalized, a loss that made the world seem “senseless” for Quincy. He spent much of his time in Chicago on the streets, with gangs, stealing and fighting.

Music was his passion, and, almost literally, his salvation. As a boy, he learned that a Chicago neighbor owned a piano and he soon played it constantly himself. His father moved to Washington state when Quincy was 10 and his world changed at a neighborhood recreation center. Jones and some friends had broken into the kitchen and helped themselves to lemon meringue pie when Jones noticed a small room nearby with a stage. On the stage was a piano.

“I went up there, paused, stared, and then tinkled on it for a moment,” he wrote in his autobiography. “That’s where I began to find peace. I was 11. I knew this was it for me. Forever.”

Within a few years he was playing trumpet and befriending a young blind musician named Ray Charles, who became a lifelong friend. He was gifted enough to win a scholarship at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out when Hampton invited him to tour with his band. Jones went on to work as a freelance composer, conductor, arranger and producer. As a teen, he backed Billie Holiday. By his mid-20s, he was touring with his own band.

“We had the best jazz band on the planet, and yet we were literally starving,” Jones later told Musician magazine. “That’s when I discovered that there was music, and there was the music business. If I were to survive, I would have to learn the difference between the two.”

His survivors include actor Rashida Jones and five other daughters: Jolie Jones Levine, Rachel Jones, Martina Jones, Kidada Jones and Kenya Kinski-Jones; son Quincy Jones III; brother Richard Jones and sisters Theresa Frank and Margie Jay.

AP Entertainment writer Andrew Dalton and former AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen contributed to this report from Los Angeles.

FILE - President Barack Obama presents a 2010 National Medal of Arts to musician and record producer Quincy Jones, Wednesday, March 2, 2011, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Quincy Jones has died at age 91. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

FILE - President Barack Obama presents a 2010 National Medal of Arts to musician and record producer Quincy Jones, Wednesday, March 2, 2011, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Quincy Jones has died at age 91. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

FILE - Legendary musician Quincy Jones poses amongst his many Grammy awards at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, Calif., Friday, April 9, 2004. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

FILE - Legendary musician Quincy Jones poses amongst his many Grammy awards at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, Calif., Friday, April 9, 2004. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

FILE - Quincy Jones cradles his Grammy awards including the album of the year award, for his eclectic album "Back on the Block" during the 33rd annual Grammy Awards, at New York's Radio City Music Hall night of Feb.20,1991. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)

FILE - Quincy Jones cradles his Grammy awards including the album of the year award, for his eclectic album "Back on the Block" during the 33rd annual Grammy Awards, at New York's Radio City Music Hall night of Feb.20,1991. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)

FILE - Musician Quincy Jones and his wife, actress Peggy Lipton, hold Jones' star which was placed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on March 14, 1980. (AP Photo/Barfield, File)

FILE - Musician Quincy Jones and his wife, actress Peggy Lipton, hold Jones' star which was placed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on March 14, 1980. (AP Photo/Barfield, File)

FILE - U.S. musician Quincy Jones directs the Orchestra National de France Tuesday, July 4, 2000, in Paris, during rehearsals prior the evening's unique concert. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/Laurent Emmanuel, File)

FILE - U.S. musician Quincy Jones directs the Orchestra National de France Tuesday, July 4, 2000, in Paris, during rehearsals prior the evening's unique concert. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/Laurent Emmanuel, File)

FILE - Quincy Jones, famed composer recovering from recent brain-blood-vessel surgery, relaxes at his Los Angeles music studio on Oct. 16, 1974. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/George Brich, File)

FILE - Quincy Jones, famed composer recovering from recent brain-blood-vessel surgery, relaxes at his Los Angeles music studio on Oct. 16, 1974. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/George Brich, File)

FILE - Michael Jackson, left, holds eight awards as he poses with Quincy Jones at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb. 28, 1984. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)

FILE - Michael Jackson, left, holds eight awards as he poses with Quincy Jones at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb. 28, 1984. Quincy Jones died at age 91. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)

Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91

Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91

FILE - Music producer Quincy Jones poses for a portrait to promote his documentary "Quincy" during the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Music producer Quincy Jones poses for a portrait to promote his documentary "Quincy" during the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91

Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91

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