EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers did it again.
The New York Jets quarterback threw a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Allen Lazard as time expired in the first half of a 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday evening.
With the Jets trailing 20-10 and at their 48-yard line, Rodgers took a few steps back and danced around a bit before launching the ball toward the end zone. Lazard jumped and reached in front of two Bills defenders and fell on his back in the end zone.
“I saw the ball calling my name,” Lazard said.
After a brief exchange, the officials ruled it a touchdown, overwhelming the Bills and sending the Jets and their fans into a frenzy. Rodgers raised both arms to signal a TD and running back Breece Hall hugged him.
It is the fourth Hail Mary Rodgers he has completed in his career, with the first three coming with Green Bay.
“They decided to rush two guys, so I had all day,” Rodgers said. “I basically threw it exactly where I wanted it. I tried throwing it between the hashes. Tonight the wind was a bit swirly. There was a lot of jostling, and then I saw Allen coming down with it.
“Quite a good feeling.”
The ball traveled 61.4 yards through the air – the longest completion by a Jets quarterback since then Next generation statistics started collecting statistics in 2016.
“We are fortunate to have the best Hail Mary pitcher in the history of this game,” Jets interim coach said Jeff Ulbrich said. “He made someone pay again.”
The Hail Mary even got Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath excited on social media.
“What a play!” Namath wrote on X. “Talk about it to make the team and the fans feel better going into the half.”
Rodgers’ knack for Hail Mary throws is something that amazes Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“Why is Aaron so good at that,” Mahomes wrote on X with three laughing emojis.
Rodgers finished 23 of 35 for 294 yards with two touchdowns, but threw an interception on the Jets’ final drive for the second straight game.
“Yes, it is frustrating,” he said. “I’m here to win those games. But we have to pay attention to our details. It’s always little things.”
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