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Fearless Taylor Rapp's three goals helped Bills to a primetime victory over the Jets


Fearless Taylor Rapp's three goals helped Bills to a primetime victory over the Jets

Despite suffering a concussion, Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp wasn't afraid to relieve the pressure on the New York Jets' receivers.

The veteran defensive back, who was wearing a protective cap as a precaution due to his recent head injury, provided three key moments in the Bills' 23-20 road win in prime time. Two of the plays saved touchdowns and one prevented the Jets from moving the chains late in the game.

Rapp not only stopped running back Breece Hall short of the end zone, but also managed two monster pass breakups – the result of clean, hard hits that separated the targeted receiver from the ball.

“You just use your technique and when the plays come, you're in the right position to make the plays and make the plays. I guess today I’ll definitely just take advantage of the opportunities,” Rapp said in a media scrum after the game.

It started in the middle of the third quarter with a lead of 20:17 for the visiting Bills. Hall charged upfield on a throw to the left and appeared destined for pay dirt until Rapp chased the Jets running back from the middle of the field. Rapp cut off Hall inside the 5-yard line and tackled the ball carrier out of bounds on third down. The Bills' goal-line defense took advantage of Rapp's attempt, forcing the Jets to settle for a game-tying 22-yard field goal.

On New York's ensuing possession, Rapp struck again in the red zone. This time it was the pass defense on a 3rd-and-12 from Buffalo's 14. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers fired a perfect touchdown from Garrett Wilson over the middle into the end zone, but the receiver couldn't complete the catch thanks to a crushing hit from Rapp. Wilson was shaken by the collision but escaped uninjured.

“I just had a good break on the ball,” Rapp said. “Read A-Rod, and I just had a good break on the ball and I was able to push him away.”

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With the Jets on the move and facing a 23-20 deficit, Rapp once again delivered a performance in pass defense. On a 2nd-and-16 from his own 40, Rodgers hit tight end Jeremy Ruckert with a shot over the middle. Rapp tracked it perfectly and his strike released the ball right at the first-down marker with 2:01 left in the game. Bills nickel cornerback Taron Johnson, who missed time with a forearm injury, intercepted Rodgers on the next snap, nearly sealing the victory.

“We missed her last week. It's nice that they're both back. They made some great plays for us,” Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said.

Rapp finished the game with eight tackles and three passes defended.

Taylor Rapp PBU

Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp (9) breaks up a pass intended for the Arizona Cardinals tight end. Trey McBride (85) / Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

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