In case you missed Monday’s wild end to Week 1, Jets starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with an injury after only four snaps, leaving Zach Wilson (yes, that Zach Wilson) to lead the team the rest of the way.
It was going exactly as you thought it would, except Bills quarterback Josh Allen missed the memo that he could easily win the game, practically giving the football away at every turn. His four turnovers led to a Hail Mary field goal that barely made it in, sending the game to overtime.
In the most Jets way possible, they somehow forced Allen to make more terrible throws, leading to the most “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” ending to a Monday Night Football game I’ve ever seen.
Rookie Xavier Gipson returned a punt for a walk-off touchdown to win. Seriously.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh’s reaction to that moment was EVERYTHING.
SALEH IS TAKING IT ALL IN AFTER THE WIN‼️ pic.twitter.com/IRYf4iq8Tf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 12, 2023
Robert Saleh was one of the first to celebrate with Xavier Gipson after his game-winning punt return 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vU4Dx8CXnL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 12, 2023
Saleh ran onto the field like it’s Christmas morning, encapsulating all we love about football. I can’t say I blame him. The man experienced a lifetime’s worth of emotions in three hours. (He also likely pulled out what little hair he does have watching his team fight without its starting quarterback.)
As we have seen with Rodger’s injury, sports can be cruel, but sometimes, sports can bring you childlike joy. What a game.
