New York Jets (4-11) are set to face off against the Buffalo Bills (12-3) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST on CBS. According to BetMGM, the Bills are favored by 9.5 points in this matchup. In the historical rivalry, Buffalo leads the series with a record of 70 wins to the Jets’ 58.
Looking at recent performance, the Jets’ record against the spread stands at 5-10, while the Bills are slightly better at 9-6. In their last encounter on October 14, the Bills edged out the Jets with a close score of 23-20 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Last week, the Jets faced a setback against the Rams, losing 19-9, while the Bills managed a close victory against the Patriots, winning 24-21.
On offense, the Jets are currently ranked 23rd in the NFL overall, and they struggle particularly in rushing, sitting at 31st. Their passing game ranks 17th, and they tally the 24th most points. On the defensive side, however, they shine, ranking 4th overall, 16th against the rush, 5th in pass defense, and 16th in scoring defense. The Bills, in contrast, hold the 7th spot for overall offense, with their rushing game at 9th and passing at 9th, showcasing an impressive scoring capability as they sit at 2nd in the league. Defensively, they rank 23rd overall, with the rushing defense at 14th and pass defense at a concerning 25th.
For the Jets, a key player to watch is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old, a four-time NFL MVP, is just one touchdown away from reaching the remarkable milestone of 500 regular-season touchdown passes, joining legends such as Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Despite dealing with a minor knee injury, Rodgers has expressed his commitment to play this week. As he contemplates the possibility of retirement and the Jets’ search for a new general manager and head coach, these could be his last two games in the NFL.
The Bills will also be focusing on their third-year running back James Cook. He has been in fantastic form lately, achieving over 100 rushing yards in three of his last four games, scoring five touchdowns during that stretch. Heading into this week, he has 14 rushing touchdowns, tied for the NFL lead, and ranks third in franchise history for a single season.
One of the crucial aspects of this game will be the battle between the Bills’ pass rush and the Jets’ offensive line. The Bills often rely on a four-man rush which has not been overly productive, ranking 25th in the league with a sack percentage of just 6.59. The absence of a starting left tackle for the Jets could play a significant role, especially with Rodgers at the helm.
Injury updates reveal that Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein will be back after a seven-game absence due to a knee issue. Meanwhile, several key Jets players, such as receiver Davante Adams and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, are nursing injuries but are cleared to play. The Bills, on the other hand, are experiencing a healthier lineup, with starting cornerback Rasul Douglas returning to practice after missing some time.
Historically, the teams have split wins in their last two seasons, with the Jets being a rare division team to hand the Bills a loss in the past two years. The Bills have a strong home record, having won four consecutive games and seeking to achieve a perfect home season soon.
In terms of statistics, since the hiring of a new defensive coordinator, the Jets have struggled, and Rodgers has been notably efficient, remaining interception-free in several of his last games and aiming for a significant touchdown record this season. Meanwhile, the Bills, on the cusp of clinching the AFC’s No. 2 seed for the playoffs, are buoyed by a strong season and motivated to end without a loss at home.
For fantasy owners, consider tempering expectations for Bills quarterback Allen this week, as his past performances against the Jets were not as explosive as typical, with an average of only 215 passing yards in recent encounters.
With all these factors at play, this matchup is shaping up to be another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between the Jets and the Bills.
