New York Jets Coach Robert Saleh Walks Back Josh Allen Comments, Calls Buffalo Bills QB 'Superman'
The Buffalo Bills fell to the New York Jets, 22-16, in Week 1—a loss that was as shocking as it was embarrassing given what happened that night. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw three interceptions to Jets safety Jordan Whitehead and lost a fumble late in the game. Even against a Jets team that lost starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers on their first drive of that game, Buffalo still constantly got in its own way.
Week 1 wasn’t an anomaly for either team.
The Bills' struggles, quite publicly, have continued. Allen leads the league in interceptions, and while that isn’t a direct indictment of his talent, it’s clear the team has a ball security issue. Whether it be receivers putting otherwise acceptable passes in harm’s way, Allen making an ill-advised throw, or running back James Cook fumbling multiple times in Monday's loss the Denver Broncos, Buffalo has not stopped turning the ball over.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen attempts a pass against the Jets in Week 1.
© Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY
That, in part, played into offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey’s firing. The tensions are rising on the Jets’ end, too.
Without Rodgers, young quarterback Zach Wilson has struggled mightily. He’s headlined a Jets offense that has consistently left the defense out to dry—a defense that has rendered New York competitive against the league’s best quarterbacks.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh commented on the defense’s performance after a six-week stretch where the defense shut down Allen, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
“These first six weeks we’ve played a gauntlet of quarterbacks and I know we haven’t gotten all wins,” Saleh said. “But we embarrassed all of them.”
It’s not like the Bills needed any more reason to be fired up. At 5-5 and the sky all but falling, Buffalo needs to beat New York on Sunday. A divisional game, at home, with the weight of playoff expectations bearing down on the Bills is more than enough to be motivated.
Either way, Saleh hedged his bet and walked back his comments a bit on Friday.
“Embarrassing was the wrong choice of words,” Saleh said. “Josh is one of the best quarterbacks and a damn-near Superman. They’re talented all around him. He’s punched us in the mouth a couple of times.”
Even if Saleh wasn’t as boisterous this time around, he has a point. This Jets defense is incredible. Each week, they go up against a quarterback better than their own (save, perhaps, the New York Giants), and each week the defense does its part.
New York ranks fifth in expected points added per play and second in success rate. The Jets have one of the deepest pass-rushing units in football, backed by an elite trio of cornerback and linebackers C.J. Mosely and Quincy Williams, both of whom are playing out of their minds this season.
Subsequently, Sunday won’t be easy for a Buffalo offense that is still trying to find some semblance of confidence. With Superman under center and Joe Brady calling the shots, the Bills will look to overcome one of the league’s toughest defenses.
