The New York Jets lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers on their fourth snap of the season on Monday night. The Jets had traded for the four-time NFL MVP in April to be the final piece of their Super Bowl puzzle.

But while the air might have gone out of MetLife Stadium when Rodgers went to the locker room, the Jets took a deep breath and beat the Buffalo Bills 22-16 in overtime.

MORE NFL:

· PATRIOTS QB MAC JONES: ‘I DEFINITELY LET THE TEAM DOWN’

· HAYDEN HURST SAYS ‘TO DIAL IT BACK’ ON BRYCE YOUNG’S KEEPSAKE FOOTBALL

· STATE NFL WEEK 1: TYREEK HILL JOINS DON HUTSON, JERRY RICE

New York didn’t need Rodgers for its winning score.

After Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass banked a 50-yard field goal off the left upright with two seconds left in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Xavier Gipson returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown to win the game without the New York offense getting on the field in the extra period. Gipson is an undrafted rookie from Stephen F. Austin who was playing in his first NFL game.

Rodgers left the game after getting sacked on New York’s opening possession of the 2023 season. The Jets first announced that Rodgers’ return was questionable because of an ankle injury, then ruled him out for Monday night’s game.

After the game, New York coach Robert Saleh said he thought Rodgers had suffered an Achilles tendon injury, which would likely mean the end of the quarterback’s season.

RELATED: AARON RODGERS LASTS 4 SNAPS IN FIRST GAME WITH JETS

Zach Wilson resumed his spot as New York’s quarterback and completed 14-of-21 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen completed 29-of-41 passes for 236 with one touchdown and three interceptions. Jets safety Jordan Whitehead had all three interceptions.

Eight players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Buffalo-New York game:

· Bills running back Damien Harris (Alabama) had a 3-yard run and two receptions for 16 yards in his first game with Buffalo. Harris had played his previous four NFL seasons with the New England Patriots.

· Jets defensive end Bryce Huff (St. Paul’s Episcopal) made two tackles and registered one quarterback hit.

· Jets defensive end Carl Lawson (Auburn) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· C.J. Mosley (Theodore, Alabama) started at linebacker for the Jets. Mosley made seven tackles.

· Bills cornerback Siran Neal (Eufaula, Jacksonville State) made one special-teams tackle.

· Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers (Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (Auburn) made two tackles on defense and one on special teams.

· C.J. Uzomah (Auburn) started at tight end for the Jets.

· Quincy Williams (Wenonah) started at linebacker for the Jets. Williams made 10 tackles, including nine solo stops, recorded one tackle for loss and broke up a pass.

· Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Jets. Williams made five tackles, recorded one tackle for loss, registered one quarterback hit and recovered a fumble. Williams recovered a fumble by Allen at the Buffalo 27-yard line with 4:51 left in the fourth quarter, and New York got a field goal out of it for a 16-13 lead with 1:48 remaining in regulation.

On Sunday, Buffalo hosts the Las Vegas Raiders at noon CDT and New York visits the Dallas Cowboys at 3:25 p.m.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.