Week 9 begins with an AFC East showdown on Thursday Night Football between two teams heading in very different directions as the struggling New York Jets (3-5) host the stampeding Buffalo Bills (5-2) at the Meadowlands.
Although none of these teams were expected at the start of the season to make the playoffs, the Buffalo Bills are right in the thick of things as they have won four of their last five games and become contenders to reach the postseason.
It’s true that the Jets were expected to be among the worst teams this season, but instead, they have surprised everyone as at one point were 3-2. Although some fans expected the Jets to tank to try to get a good draft pick in 2018 the Jets have instead not played that bad until they hit their current three-game losing streak to the Patriots, Dolphins, and Falcons.
Perhaps the Jets should feel better than their record indicates because despite the three straight losses they have been in almost every game they’ve played (except a 25-point loss to the Oakland Raiders) and they have lost their last three games by a total of 15 points.
If the Jets get their act together this could be a payback game for them. New York was ambushed by the Bills defense in week 1 so they will try to get physical to try and make a statement by pulling an upset at Metlife Stadium.
The Bills will try to avoid the loss by keeping things simple and committing to the run. They will use running back LeSean McCoy all around the backfield to open the passing game for Tyrod Taylor and his receivers.
Furthermore, when you back up an elusive running back with a mobile quarterback such as Taylor you will get a few extra plays per game that opposing defenses may have a hard time adjusting to.
Taylor has proven so far to be a perfect fit for this Bills offense as this season he’s been very smart with the football and has made some big throws. He’s been using his elusiveness to look downfield, find his receivers and lock on them before making those big throws and as a result, he’s avoided interceptions.
The Jets Josh McCown on the other side may not be playing as good as Taylor, but he’s not been playing bad at all. Despite a couple of horrible interceptions late in games that have hurt the Jets, he has managed to stabilize the Jets offense as he has established a nice rapport with wide receiver Robby Anderson and tight end Austin Jenkins.
The Jets and Bills own a pair of tough and good football defenses so expect a low scoring game that will be fought hard in the trenches as two disciplined and tough teams go head-to-head.
