In an insane season opener for the Jets, it was only fitting that it ended the way it did.
Rookie Xavier Gipson took a punt return 65 yards for a touchdown in overtime to complete the Jets’ 22-16 comeback win over the Bills at MetLife Stadium on Monday night.
Gang Green’s defense forced a three-and-out after Buffalo had won the coin toss in OT, setting up the dramatic finish.
“It was amazing,” Gipson told SNY’s Jeane Coakley about the winning play.
Gipson caught the short punt at the Jets’ 35-yard line and then turned on the afterburners dodging two tackles en route to the game-winning score.
“I just seen the ball in there, knew I had the opportunity,” Gipson said. “Secured the ball, secured the catch first and then let the team work. After that, it just happened.”
The rookie juked out his first defender right after he made the catch, causing Buffalo’s Cam Lewis fall just to the side Gipson as he tried to wrap up the returner. Chazz Surratt cleared a lane for Gipson with a key block around the Bills’ 25-yard line.
Gipson danced around punter Sam Martin to reach the end zone.
The 22-year-old was holding the game ball in his hands when he spoke with SNY and said that he would be giving it to his mom, who he thought was probably going crazy at home about the win.
It’s amazing. Man, it’s more than fun, I don’t know what else to say about it,” Gipson added, still basking in the aftermath of the comeback win.
Monday night seemed like it would be a total disaster for Gang Green after Aaron Rodgers went down in their first drive with an injury and they trailed 13-3 at halftime.
“It was exciting and then we fell behind. A-Rod got hurt and after that, it started going uphill from there,” Gipson said about the emotions of the night.
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