Game Thread: NY Jets @ Buffalo Bills
- Thread starter Green Jets & Ham
- Start date
Although I agree there could be a letdown, but that was against a very good Steeler team. We will be playing a below average Bills team with some motivation but nothing to play for. We are better top to bottom with plenty of experience.
I am starting to get a bit concerned. The stars are aligning too nicely. Buffalo announcing that Rex is back for next year takes away his whole, "rally the troops to save Uncle Rex's job." The announcement that they will be cutting Mario Williams means he'll be a malcontent, and effectively negates him (and some other guys).
I'm getting really worried here, because this is setting up too well.
I'm getting really worried here, because this is setting up too well.
If we come ready to play, we'll win and maybe convincingly, mostly because the Bills are so banged up. My only fear is an emotional letdown coming off the Patriots game. IMO thats the only way we get beat on Sunday.
I just feel like this team is going to make a run in the playoffs. We should be able to throw all over this team. They have no CB's and no way to cover Marsh & Deck!!
the line was 3
Why in the hell did it drop to 2 1/2 today?
This makes no sense and makes me nervous
Agreed!
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flgreen
Guest
One good omen this game. They aren't wearing those hideous pickle uni's
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Guest
Besides McCoy, who else is missing this game for Buffalo? I keep hearing they're banged up.
ACTIVE ROSTER INJURY NOTES
Tyrod Taylor has been limited in practice this week with a right shoulder injury. He said he's fine and will definitely play on Sunday. 12/31
Marcel Dareus suffered a pinched nerve in his neck against Dallas. He lost feeling in his fingers for a while but has gained it back. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday but was full go on Thursday and seems on target to play in the finale. 12/31
Mario Williams has been limited in practice this week with his ongoing hand issue. 12/31
Nigel Bradham missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday but sat out Thursday. He is unlikely to play on Sunday. 12/31
John Miller aggravated his high ankle sprain against Washington but started against Dallas. He couldn't finish the game exiting in the second half. They may shut him down for the finale as he continues to aggravate the same injury everytime he plays. He did not practice on Wednesday but did return on Thursday in a limited capacity. 12/31
Ronald Darby did not play against the Cowboys with a groin injury. Rex Ryan hopes he will be back for the finale but they will have to wait and see if he's available. They are working him back slowly and he took part in practice on Wednesday and Thursday on a limited basis. 12/31
Bacarri Rambo continues to battle shoulder and knee injuries that has hampered his play. He did play against Dallas but struggled tackling with the shoulder injury. Rex Ryan said he may not use him in the finale or at least limit his play. He did not practice on Wednesday but did return on Thursday. He was limited. 12/31
LeSean McCoy remains sidelined with an MCL injury suffered against Washington. He is currently not practicing and doesn't look like he'll play in the finale. 12/30
He is out
As for the Jets
RB Chris Ivory (knee), RB Bilal Powell (ankle), RT Breno Giacomini (ankle) and LB Erin Henderson (illness) did not practice. Bowles said he is not overly concerned about any of the injuries. In addition to Fitzpatrick, LB Calvin Pace (abdomen) and DE Muhammad Wilkerson (toe) were limited.
Thanks Moe. Also just saw that CB Stephon Gilmore is out. If he and Darby are both out, Marshall and Decker are going to run wild.
We are currently one of the healthiest teams which can bode well in the playoffs.
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Bills Motivation Level Will Be Key Factor
Bills Motivation Level Will Be Key Factor
Vic Carucci’s Take Five: Bills’ motivation level will be key factor
Here are my five takes on Sunday’s game between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium:
1. How much will keeping the Jets out of the playoffs mean to anyone not named Rex Ryan? The players have been saying all of the right things about having some extra motivation to give their best effort. Boobie Dixon went a bit too far with that theme by calling the game the Bills’ “Super Bowl.” Nothing on the regular-season schedule should ever be described that way, especially for a franchise that actually played in a bunch of Super Bowls. But we get the point. The question is, do the players really believe in what they’re saying or is it mere lip service? The performance should provide an unequivocal answer.
You have at least one player, defensive end Mario Williams, who knows that the team intends for this to be his final game. You have a forecast calling for snow and temperatures around the freezing mark. You have a battered Bills roster. You have a healthier Jets team with every reason to play its very best. You have a large number of secondary market tickets that have been purchased by Jets fans. In short, you have conditions that are ripe for a lopsided loss by the home team.
2. Can the Bills do a good enough job of covering the Jets’ dynamic receiving duo of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker? The best news here is that cornerback Ronald Darby is expected to return from the groin injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s victory against Dallas. He will spend the majority of his time lined up against Marshall. The Bills did a good job with Marshall when the teams met on Nov. 12, limiting him to three receptions (on 10 targets) for 23 yards, although 14 came on a touchdown catch. Darby excelled at being physical with Marshall, highlighted by his crucial open-field tackle of the receiver for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-two from the Buffalo 20-yard line early in the fourth quarter.
The bad news here is that Leodis McKelvin is again starting in place of Stephon Gilmore, who is on the injured-reserve list. Gilmore was a key factor in the earlier game against the teams. McKelvin, who could very well be playing his final game for the Bills, has shown multiple times this season that he can be a liability in coverage.
Injuries have caused the Bills’ secondary depth to be severely challenged, and Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey will undoubtedly look to exploit that with his frequent use of four-receiver sets. Decker, who is at his best when operating from the slot, should seemingly benefit the most from facing the likes of Nickell Robey. Buddy Noel, who was elevated from the practice squad this week, is also likely to be targeted by Gailey and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
3. The offensive line holds its own in pass protection against one of the better defensive lines in the NFL. When the teams last met, the Jets sacked Tyrod Taylor four times and were credited with eight quarterback hits. Muhammad Wilkerson had two of the sacks, showing incredible speed (given his 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame) to chase down arguably the NFL’s fastest quarterback on one. Taylor’s 14 runs against the Cowboys last Sunday were far too many because they enhanced his exposure to injury. He also tends to resist sliding, choosing instead to gain as many yards as possible before going out of bounds. That’s probably a bad idea against a big, nasty front that might not exactly hate the idea of delivering some damaging shots to next season’s likely starter of a division rival.
4. Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee keep up their impressive running against the No. 1 run-stopping defense in the league. In the earlier game at MetLife Stadium, the Bills ran effectively, with LeSean McCoy having one of his three 100-plus-yard performances (112 in each case, to be exact) of the season. McCoy will miss his second game in a row and fourth of the season with a knee injury, so it will be up to Williams and Gillislee to do what they did against the Cowboys and make McCoy’s absence a non-factor.
The chore will, of course, require the line to again be at the very top of its game. And there is reason to think this gritty group will step up to the challenge. As with most offensive linemen, they thrive on a game plan that calls for them to concentrate more on opening holes rather than protecting the passer. They have the capability, mentally and physically, to take the brawling-style approach necessary to control the tempo of the game. They also feed off of the energy of Williams and Gillislee, who are eager to take full advantage of sharing the rushing stage and reminding the Bills they can perform every bit as well – if not better than – the $16-million back not playing.
5. How about the Bills generating even a little bit of pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick? Is that possible? In November, the Bills sacked their former quarterback once and were credited with three hits. Overall, they did do a good job against him by intercepting two of his 34 pass attempts and helping to limit his completions to only 15 for a quarterback rating of 57.6. But strong pressure is the order of the day, because the Jets’ best chances for winning this game are going to come down to whether Fitzpatrick can beat the Bills with his passing arm. His awkward delivery and tendency to force throws into tight spaces have a way of creeping into his game when the heat is on.
But will the Bills produce that heat from a line that includes at least one player potentially having almost no motivation to be on the field and others who continue to have issues with a defensive scheme that doesn’t suit them? Ryan finally admitted, in a conference call with New York media last Wednesday, those complaints bothered him. Figuring out how to make them go away is likely to be among his higher priorities of the offseason.
Bills Motivation Level Will Be Key Factor
Vic Carucci’s Take Five: Bills’ motivation level will be key factor
Here are my five takes on Sunday’s game between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium:
1. How much will keeping the Jets out of the playoffs mean to anyone not named Rex Ryan? The players have been saying all of the right things about having some extra motivation to give their best effort. Boobie Dixon went a bit too far with that theme by calling the game the Bills’ “Super Bowl.” Nothing on the regular-season schedule should ever be described that way, especially for a franchise that actually played in a bunch of Super Bowls. But we get the point. The question is, do the players really believe in what they’re saying or is it mere lip service? The performance should provide an unequivocal answer.
You have at least one player, defensive end Mario Williams, who knows that the team intends for this to be his final game. You have a forecast calling for snow and temperatures around the freezing mark. You have a battered Bills roster. You have a healthier Jets team with every reason to play its very best. You have a large number of secondary market tickets that have been purchased by Jets fans. In short, you have conditions that are ripe for a lopsided loss by the home team.
2. Can the Bills do a good enough job of covering the Jets’ dynamic receiving duo of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker? The best news here is that cornerback Ronald Darby is expected to return from the groin injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s victory against Dallas. He will spend the majority of his time lined up against Marshall. The Bills did a good job with Marshall when the teams met on Nov. 12, limiting him to three receptions (on 10 targets) for 23 yards, although 14 came on a touchdown catch. Darby excelled at being physical with Marshall, highlighted by his crucial open-field tackle of the receiver for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-two from the Buffalo 20-yard line early in the fourth quarter.
The bad news here is that Leodis McKelvin is again starting in place of Stephon Gilmore, who is on the injured-reserve list. Gilmore was a key factor in the earlier game against the teams. McKelvin, who could very well be playing his final game for the Bills, has shown multiple times this season that he can be a liability in coverage.
Injuries have caused the Bills’ secondary depth to be severely challenged, and Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey will undoubtedly look to exploit that with his frequent use of four-receiver sets. Decker, who is at his best when operating from the slot, should seemingly benefit the most from facing the likes of Nickell Robey. Buddy Noel, who was elevated from the practice squad this week, is also likely to be targeted by Gailey and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
3. The offensive line holds its own in pass protection against one of the better defensive lines in the NFL. When the teams last met, the Jets sacked Tyrod Taylor four times and were credited with eight quarterback hits. Muhammad Wilkerson had two of the sacks, showing incredible speed (given his 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame) to chase down arguably the NFL’s fastest quarterback on one. Taylor’s 14 runs against the Cowboys last Sunday were far too many because they enhanced his exposure to injury. He also tends to resist sliding, choosing instead to gain as many yards as possible before going out of bounds. That’s probably a bad idea against a big, nasty front that might not exactly hate the idea of delivering some damaging shots to next season’s likely starter of a division rival.
4. Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee keep up their impressive running against the No. 1 run-stopping defense in the league. In the earlier game at MetLife Stadium, the Bills ran effectively, with LeSean McCoy having one of his three 100-plus-yard performances (112 in each case, to be exact) of the season. McCoy will miss his second game in a row and fourth of the season with a knee injury, so it will be up to Williams and Gillislee to do what they did against the Cowboys and make McCoy’s absence a non-factor.
The chore will, of course, require the line to again be at the very top of its game. And there is reason to think this gritty group will step up to the challenge. As with most offensive linemen, they thrive on a game plan that calls for them to concentrate more on opening holes rather than protecting the passer. They have the capability, mentally and physically, to take the brawling-style approach necessary to control the tempo of the game. They also feed off of the energy of Williams and Gillislee, who are eager to take full advantage of sharing the rushing stage and reminding the Bills they can perform every bit as well – if not better than – the $16-million back not playing.
5. How about the Bills generating even a little bit of pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick? Is that possible? In November, the Bills sacked their former quarterback once and were credited with three hits. Overall, they did do a good job against him by intercepting two of his 34 pass attempts and helping to limit his completions to only 15 for a quarterback rating of 57.6. But strong pressure is the order of the day, because the Jets’ best chances for winning this game are going to come down to whether Fitzpatrick can beat the Bills with his passing arm. His awkward delivery and tendency to force throws into tight spaces have a way of creeping into his game when the heat is on.
But will the Bills produce that heat from a line that includes at least one player potentially having almost no motivation to be on the field and others who continue to have issues with a defensive scheme that doesn’t suit them? Ryan finally admitted, in a conference call with New York media last Wednesday, those complaints bothered him. Figuring out how to make them go away is likely to be among his higher priorities of the offseason.
Please checkout my first unofficial mock draft if you have some spare time.
Thanks
Hams first unoffical mock draft
Thanks
Hams first unoffical mock draft
Uggggg
This guy is pretty good hope to help he's wrong this week
odds not on our side , from a betting perspective that is
Go Jets
"The New York Jets head to Buffalo with their playoff fate in their own hands and control their own destiny. The Buffalo Bills had a lot of promise for this season, but came up short of their goal to make the playoffs, and this will not be an easy game for the Jets. Buffalo will be bringing it as this is their Super Bowl, and nothing could make a sour season sweeter than knocking the Jets out of the the playoffs. Add to the story line the irony that standing in the way is Rex Ryan, and you know his team is going to be jacked up for this game. The Jets are in a historically bad situation that plays against better than .500 teams off a huge home dog win, and are now in a division game. The situation is 16-56 ATS, and the Jets are looking down the teeth of it for their finale. Make the play on Buffalo."
I will not
go Jets
This guy is pretty good hope to help he's wrong this week
odds not on our side , from a betting perspective that is
Go Jets
"The New York Jets head to Buffalo with their playoff fate in their own hands and control their own destiny. The Buffalo Bills had a lot of promise for this season, but came up short of their goal to make the playoffs, and this will not be an easy game for the Jets. Buffalo will be bringing it as this is their Super Bowl, and nothing could make a sour season sweeter than knocking the Jets out of the the playoffs. Add to the story line the irony that standing in the way is Rex Ryan, and you know his team is going to be jacked up for this game. The Jets are in a historically bad situation that plays against better than .500 teams off a huge home dog win, and are now in a division game. The situation is 16-56 ATS, and the Jets are looking down the teeth of it for their finale. Make the play on Buffalo."
I will not
go Jets
It will come down to our OL & our DB,s plus flags & TO's that simple
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flgreen
Guest
The Other Side: Slater on Fitz, Gailey, 'bloodbath' motivation
It's come to this for the Buffalo Bill: a chance to play spoiler against the New York Jets. With a win, ex-Bill Ryan Fitzpatrick can punch his team's ticket to the postseason (with ex-Bill Chan Gailey calling the plays).
Down several starters across the board, it's a daunting match-up for the Bills at home.
To get the answers on the Jets, we check in with Darryl Slater of The Star-Ledger. Slater dishes on Fitz's motivation on returning to Buffalo, how Gailey helped turn the Jets' season around, where New York has injuries and if Sunday will, indeed, be a "bloodbath."
Q: How motivated is Ryan Fitzpatrick to win back in Buffalo, where he played four years?
Slater: Fitzpatrick mentioned this week that the game has some "extra meaning" to him. He still looks back fondly on his time in Buffalo. A bigger motivator for Fitzpatrick, though, is a chance to reach the playoffs for the first time in his 11-year career. He thought he might make it in 2011, when the Bills started 5-2, but wound up 6-10. Fitzpatrick said the start to that season is the highlight of his experience with the Bills. He realizes how rare these opportunities are, to seriously contend for a playoff spot. So this is the biggest game of his career for multiple reasons.
Q: The last time the Bills faced New York, the offense seemed to be taking a nosedive. How did former Bills OC Chan Gailey turn it all around?
Slater: Gailey simplified things. He cut back on all the moving parts in the offense and got back to doing what worked well during the 4-1 start — running the ball with Chris Ivory and throwing to Brandon Marshall in the red zone. After their fast start, the Jets hit a 1-4 slide during which their offense tried to "reinvent the wheel," according to Fitzpatrick. Todd Bowles came right out and said, after the loss in Houston, that the Jets got "too creative" with their offensive approach, and needed to get back to "algebra." Since the Jets lost to Houston (a week after that Bills loss), they are 5-0, and are averaging 27.2 points per game and 422.6 yards per game.
Q: Buffalo is really banged up on both sides of the ball. What's the state of the Jets' health? Any key injuries that could play a factor Sunday?
Slater: Three offensive starters are questionable: right tackle Breno Giacomini (ankle), No. 2 running back Bilal Powell (ankle), and tight end Kellen Davis (foot). Bowles expects them all to be game-time decisions. Powell has played well lately, and his emergence is one of the reasons for the Jets' recent offensive uptick. But even if he's out, the Jets still have Ivory and Stevan Ridley. The Jets can live without Davis, since they have Jeff Cumberland. But Giacomini would be a big loss. The Jets would have to start either Ben Ijalana or Brent Qvale in his place. Ijalana has been a healthy scratch every game this season. Qvale has played 33 snaps. Giacomini hasn't had a great year. He is rated 71st out of 75 tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, and has allowed three sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 44 hurries (the most of any tackle). But he's a better option than Ijalana or Qvale, obviously.
Q: Calvin Pace said he expects a "bloodbath." What did he mean by that and do others feel the same way?
Slater: I think he meant that Rex Ryan will have his guys motivated to play hard. Listening to Ryan during his teleconference with Jets reporters this week, he sounded like a defeated and humbled guy. It's pretty clear this season has been tough for him, what with some Bills players openly questioning his approach. That stuff stung him. But Pace's perception, at least, is that Ryan's players will be just as fired up as their coach for this game — and the chance to play spoiler. Yes, other Jets veterans feel similarly to Pace. Darrelle Revis expects Ryan to "throw the kitchen sink at us," because he has nothing to lose. The Jets' older players know what they're getting into, with this game, even though the Jets are favored/expected to win against a banged-up Bills team that has been struggling.
Q: What's your prediction for Sunday, and why?
Slater: Jets 27, Bills 14. I don't see how the Bills' injury-depleted offense will be able to score a bunch against this Jets defense. The Jets' offense has played better lately, after Ryan's defense won that battle the first time around. But I do think there's a chance for a repeat of that performance by the Bills' defense, so maybe that 27 is too high for the Jets' score. But as long as the Jets get to 20 points, they should win this game, simply because Tyrod Taylor doesn't have a lot of healthy options, besides Sammy Watkins. If the Jets can shut down Watkins, the Bills probably have no chance.
It's come to this for the Buffalo Bill: a chance to play spoiler against the New York Jets. With a win, ex-Bill Ryan Fitzpatrick can punch his team's ticket to the postseason (with ex-Bill Chan Gailey calling the plays).
Down several starters across the board, it's a daunting match-up for the Bills at home.
To get the answers on the Jets, we check in with Darryl Slater of The Star-Ledger. Slater dishes on Fitz's motivation on returning to Buffalo, how Gailey helped turn the Jets' season around, where New York has injuries and if Sunday will, indeed, be a "bloodbath."
Q: How motivated is Ryan Fitzpatrick to win back in Buffalo, where he played four years?
Slater: Fitzpatrick mentioned this week that the game has some "extra meaning" to him. He still looks back fondly on his time in Buffalo. A bigger motivator for Fitzpatrick, though, is a chance to reach the playoffs for the first time in his 11-year career. He thought he might make it in 2011, when the Bills started 5-2, but wound up 6-10. Fitzpatrick said the start to that season is the highlight of his experience with the Bills. He realizes how rare these opportunities are, to seriously contend for a playoff spot. So this is the biggest game of his career for multiple reasons.
Q: The last time the Bills faced New York, the offense seemed to be taking a nosedive. How did former Bills OC Chan Gailey turn it all around?
Slater: Gailey simplified things. He cut back on all the moving parts in the offense and got back to doing what worked well during the 4-1 start — running the ball with Chris Ivory and throwing to Brandon Marshall in the red zone. After their fast start, the Jets hit a 1-4 slide during which their offense tried to "reinvent the wheel," according to Fitzpatrick. Todd Bowles came right out and said, after the loss in Houston, that the Jets got "too creative" with their offensive approach, and needed to get back to "algebra." Since the Jets lost to Houston (a week after that Bills loss), they are 5-0, and are averaging 27.2 points per game and 422.6 yards per game.
Q: Buffalo is really banged up on both sides of the ball. What's the state of the Jets' health? Any key injuries that could play a factor Sunday?
Slater: Three offensive starters are questionable: right tackle Breno Giacomini (ankle), No. 2 running back Bilal Powell (ankle), and tight end Kellen Davis (foot). Bowles expects them all to be game-time decisions. Powell has played well lately, and his emergence is one of the reasons for the Jets' recent offensive uptick. But even if he's out, the Jets still have Ivory and Stevan Ridley. The Jets can live without Davis, since they have Jeff Cumberland. But Giacomini would be a big loss. The Jets would have to start either Ben Ijalana or Brent Qvale in his place. Ijalana has been a healthy scratch every game this season. Qvale has played 33 snaps. Giacomini hasn't had a great year. He is rated 71st out of 75 tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, and has allowed three sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 44 hurries (the most of any tackle). But he's a better option than Ijalana or Qvale, obviously.
Q: Calvin Pace said he expects a "bloodbath." What did he mean by that and do others feel the same way?
Slater: I think he meant that Rex Ryan will have his guys motivated to play hard. Listening to Ryan during his teleconference with Jets reporters this week, he sounded like a defeated and humbled guy. It's pretty clear this season has been tough for him, what with some Bills players openly questioning his approach. That stuff stung him. But Pace's perception, at least, is that Ryan's players will be just as fired up as their coach for this game — and the chance to play spoiler. Yes, other Jets veterans feel similarly to Pace. Darrelle Revis expects Ryan to "throw the kitchen sink at us," because he has nothing to lose. The Jets' older players know what they're getting into, with this game, even though the Jets are favored/expected to win against a banged-up Bills team that has been struggling.
Q: What's your prediction for Sunday, and why?
Slater: Jets 27, Bills 14. I don't see how the Bills' injury-depleted offense will be able to score a bunch against this Jets defense. The Jets' offense has played better lately, after Ryan's defense won that battle the first time around. But I do think there's a chance for a repeat of that performance by the Bills' defense, so maybe that 27 is too high for the Jets' score. But as long as the Jets get to 20 points, they should win this game, simply because Tyrod Taylor doesn't have a lot of healthy options, besides Sammy Watkins. If the Jets can shut down Watkins, the Bills probably have no chance.
It's come to this for the Buffalo Bill: a chance to play spoiler against the New York Jets. With a win, ex-Bill Ryan Fitzpatrick can punch his team's ticket to the postseason (with ex-Bill Chan Gailey calling the plays).
Down several starters across the board, it's a daunting match-up for the Bills at home.
To get the answers on the Jets, we check in with Darryl Slater of The Star-Ledger. Slater dishes on Fitz's motivation on returning to Buffalo, how Gailey helped turn the Jets' season around, where New York has injuries and if Sunday will, indeed, be a "bloodbath."
Q: How motivated is Ryan Fitzpatrick to win back in Buffalo, where he played four years?
Slater: Fitzpatrick mentioned this week that the game has some "extra meaning" to him. He still looks back fondly on his time in Buffalo. A bigger motivator for Fitzpatrick, though, is a chance to reach the playoffs for the first time in his 11-year career. He thought he might make it in 2011, when the Bills started 5-2, but wound up 6-10. Fitzpatrick said the start to that season is the highlight of his experience with the Bills. He realizes how rare these opportunities are, to seriously contend for a playoff spot. So this is the biggest game of his career for multiple reasons.
Q: The last time the Bills faced New York, the offense seemed to be taking a nosedive. How did former Bills OC Chan Gailey turn it all around?
Slater: Gailey simplified things. He cut back on all the moving parts in the offense and got back to doing what worked well during the 4-1 start — running the ball with Chris Ivory and throwing to Brandon Marshall in the red zone. After their fast start, the Jets hit a 1-4 slide during which their offense tried to "reinvent the wheel," according to Fitzpatrick. Todd Bowles came right out and said, after the loss in Houston, that the Jets got "too creative" with their offensive approach, and needed to get back to "algebra." Since the Jets lost to Houston (a week after that Bills loss), they are 5-0, and are averaging 27.2 points per game and 422.6 yards per game.
Q: Buffalo is really banged up on both sides of the ball. What's the state of the Jets' health? Any key injuries that could play a factor Sunday?
Slater: Three offensive starters are questionable: right tackle Breno Giacomini (ankle), No. 2 running back Bilal Powell (ankle), and tight end Kellen Davis (foot). Bowles expects them all to be game-time decisions. Powell has played well lately, and his emergence is one of the reasons for the Jets' recent offensive uptick. But even if he's out, the Jets still have Ivory and Stevan Ridley. The Jets can live without Davis, since they have Jeff Cumberland. But Giacomini would be a big loss. The Jets would have to start either Ben Ijalana or Brent Qvale in his place. Ijalana has been a healthy scratch every game this season. Qvale has played 33 snaps. Giacomini hasn't had a great year. He is rated 71st out of 75 tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, and has allowed three sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 44 hurries (the most of any tackle). But he's a better option than Ijalana or Qvale, obviously.
Q: Calvin Pace said he expects a "bloodbath." What did he mean by that and do others feel the same way?
Slater: I think he meant that Rex Ryan will have his guys motivated to play hard. Listening to Ryan during his teleconference with Jets reporters this week, he sounded like a defeated and humbled guy. It's pretty clear this season has been tough for him, what with some Bills players openly questioning his approach. That stuff stung him. But Pace's perception, at least, is that Ryan's players will be just as fired up as their coach for this game — and the chance to play spoiler. Yes, other Jets veterans feel similarly to Pace. Darrelle Revis expects Ryan to "throw the kitchen sink at us," because he has nothing to lose. The Jets' older players know what they're getting into, with this game, even though the Jets are favored/expected to win against a banged-up Bills team that has been struggling.
Q: What's your prediction for Sunday, and why?
Slater: Jets 27, Bills 14. I don't see how the Bills' injury-depleted offense will be able to score a bunch against this Jets defense. The Jets' offense has played better lately, after Ryan's defense won that battle the first time around. But I do think there's a chance for a repeat of that performance by the Bills' defense, so maybe that 27 is too high for the Jets' score. But as long as the Jets get to 20 points, they should win this game, simply because Tyrod Taylor doesn't have a lot of healthy options, besides Sammy Watkins. If the Jets can shut down Watkins, the Bills probably have no chance.
It's come to this for the Buffalo Bill: a chance to play spoiler against the New York Jets. With a win, ex-Bill Ryan Fitzpatrick can punch his team's ticket to the postseason (with ex-Bill Chan Gailey calling the plays).
Down several starters across the board, it's a daunting match-up for the Bills at home.
To get the answers on the Jets, we check in with Darryl Slater of The Star-Ledger. Slater dishes on Fitz's motivation on returning to Buffalo, how Gailey helped turn the Jets' season around, where New York has injuries and if Sunday will, indeed, be a "bloodbath."
Q: How motivated is Ryan Fitzpatrick to win back in Buffalo, where he played four years?
Slater: Fitzpatrick mentioned this week that the game has some "extra meaning" to him. He still looks back fondly on his time in Buffalo. A bigger motivator for Fitzpatrick, though, is a chance to reach the playoffs for the first time in his 11-year career. He thought he might make it in 2011, when the Bills started 5-2, but wound up 6-10. Fitzpatrick said the start to that season is the highlight of his experience with the Bills. He realizes how rare these opportunities are, to seriously contend for a playoff spot. So this is the biggest game of his career for multiple reasons.
Q: The last time the Bills faced New York, the offense seemed to be taking a nosedive. How did former Bills OC Chan Gailey turn it all around?
Slater: Gailey simplified things. He cut back on all the moving parts in the offense and got back to doing what worked well during the 4-1 start — running the ball with Chris Ivory and throwing to Brandon Marshall in the red zone. After their fast start, the Jets hit a 1-4 slide during which their offense tried to "reinvent the wheel," according to Fitzpatrick. Todd Bowles came right out and said, after the loss in Houston, that the Jets got "too creative" with their offensive approach, and needed to get back to "algebra." Since the Jets lost to Houston (a week after that Bills loss), they are 5-0, and are averaging 27.2 points per game and 422.6 yards per game.
Q: Buffalo is really banged up on both sides of the ball. What's the state of the Jets' health? Any key injuries that could play a factor Sunday?
Slater: Three offensive starters are questionable: right tackle Breno Giacomini (ankle), No. 2 running back Bilal Powell (ankle), and tight end Kellen Davis (foot). Bowles expects them all to be game-time decisions. Powell has played well lately, and his emergence is one of the reasons for the Jets' recent offensive uptick. But even if he's out, the Jets still have Ivory and Stevan Ridley. The Jets can live without Davis, since they have Jeff Cumberland. But Giacomini would be a big loss. The Jets would have to start either Ben Ijalana or Brent Qvale in his place. Ijalana has been a healthy scratch every game this season. Qvale has played 33 snaps. Giacomini hasn't had a great year. He is rated 71st out of 75 tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, and has allowed three sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 44 hurries (the most of any tackle). But he's a better option than Ijalana or Qvale, obviously.
Q: Calvin Pace said he expects a "bloodbath." What did he mean by that and do others feel the same way?
Slater: I think he meant that Rex Ryan will have his guys motivated to play hard. Listening to Ryan during his teleconference with Jets reporters this week, he sounded like a defeated and humbled guy. It's pretty clear this season has been tough for him, what with some Bills players openly questioning his approach. That stuff stung him. But Pace's perception, at least, is that Ryan's players will be just as fired up as their coach for this game — and the chance to play spoiler. Yes, other Jets veterans feel similarly to Pace. Darrelle Revis expects Ryan to "throw the kitchen sink at us," because he has nothing to lose. The Jets' older players know what they're getting into, with this game, even though the Jets are favored/expected to win against a banged-up Bills team that has been struggling.
Q: What's your prediction for Sunday, and why?
Slater: Jets 27, Bills 14. I don't see how the Bills' injury-depleted offense will be able to score a bunch against this Jets defense. The Jets' offense has played better lately, after Ryan's defense won that battle the first time around. But I do think there's a chance for a repeat of that performance by the Bills' defense, so maybe that 27 is too high for the Jets' score. But as long as the Jets get to 20 points, they should win this game, simply because Tyrod Taylor doesn't have a lot of healthy options, besides Sammy Watkins. If the Jets can shut down Watkins, the Bills probably have no chance.
There is no way that the Bills should want this game more than the Jets. If that happens then this is not the team we are believing that it is.