It's deja vu all over again.
Jets quarterback once again found himself under center for the Jets, maybe a lot sooner than he expected. After Aaron Rodgers suffered an apparent Achilles injury just four snaps in his Jets debut on "Monday Night Football," Zach Wilson took the reins and helped lead the Jets to a win over the Bills in Week 1.
While it was the plan for Wilson to eventually take the baton from Rodgers, it wasn't supposed to be in 2023. Still, Wilson made enough of the moment, taking the win on Monday.
It's not the first time Wilson has helped guide the Jets to a win vs. Buffalo. In 2022, Wilson and the Jets beat the Bills at home on the strength of one of Wilson's more efficient games as a passer in the NFL — and some really good defense, too. It was a familiar formula.
MORE: What to know about Aaron Rodgers' apparent Achilles injury
Here's how Wilson played vs. the Bills on "Monday Night Football":
Zach Wilson stats vs. Bills
In relief of Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson went 14-of-21 passing with 141 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Wilson's lone touchdown pass came on a dazzling catch by Garrett Wilson in the end zone.
.@GarrettWilson_V IS. NOT. HUMAN.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 12, 2023
📺 #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN pic.twitter.com/rLL298HdH2
Wilson was helped by a strong running game. Breece Hall's return to the field was fruitful, with 127 yards on 10 carries, including an 83-yard run that set up a Jets field goal.
How did Zach Wilson play vs. the Bills?
Beyond the box score, it was a typical Wilson performance, maybe a bit more efficient than usual. He wasn't spectacular — Wilson had trouble with the Bills' pass rush at times, escaping the pocket and oftentimes running backwards to escape rushers.
Wilson rebounded after a dreadful interception — and didn't let it "snowball" into anything else, per Robert Saleh — and thanks to a strong running game, threw a touchdown late in the fourth quarter that led to the Jets tying the game.
WIlson didn't have a chance to make his mark in overtime, with rookie Xavier Gipson taking a punt to the house to seal the game for the Jets.