When the Bills run: Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll got right to the point Monday when asked about the struggles of the rushing attack. “I’ve got to give them better plays,” Daboll said. That would be a start, but it’s not the only problem plaguing the running game right now. Far too often, Devin Singletary is met by a defender behind the line of scrimmage, leading to negative plays or minimal gains. Singletary, too, has seemed to lack decisiveness at times, so blame can be equally shared. The Jets rank 20th in the league against the rush, but the Bills haven’t gone up against a murderer’s row of running defenses lately and still struggled to get anything going. EDGE: Jets.
When the Bills pass: Josh Allen’s performance against the Kansas City Chiefs raised some red flags. Allen went just 14 of 27 for 122 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. His accuracy from the very beginning of the game was a problem. It seemed through the first month of the season that games like that were behind Allen, but evidently not. The challenge will be to make sure that was an aberration – not the start of a trend. The Jets rank 23rd against the pass. Expect a healthy dose of Stefon Diggs with John Brown out with a knee injury. Diggs continues to lead AFC receivers in catches (42) and receiving yards (555). EDGE: Bills.
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When the Jets run: Old friend Frank Gore is the starter, but the expectation is the Jets will give rookie fourth-round draft pick La’Mical Perine as much or more work. Perine gained 27 yards on seven carries last week against the Dolphins. At 0-6, the Jets should be turning things over to younger players. Rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton, the team’s first-round draft pick, is expected to play after he missed the past two games with a shoulder injury. The Bills could really use Matt Milano, but the linebacker is questionable with a pectoral injury. EDGE: Bills.
When the Jets pass: While the Bills are dealing with significant injuries, including in their secondary, where cornerback Josh Norman is out and fellow cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Cam Lewis are questionable, the Jets are getting healthier. Quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to return after missing the last two weeks because of a shoulder injury, and he might have his intended starting group of wide receivers for the first time. Jamison Crowder is questionable with a groin injury and rookie Denzel Mims needs to be activated from injured reserve. If that happens, it could pose some matchup problems for the banged-up Bills. EDGE: Bills.
Special teams: Corey Bojorquez is putting together a heck of a season. The Bills’ punter ranks third in gross punting average, at 50.8 yards. Punt returner Andre Roberts would like nothing more than to reach the end zone for the first time this season against his former team. The Jets are expected to have a new kicker after Sam Ficken suffered a groin injury in practice Wednesday and is listed as doubtful. If he can’t play, New York would call up Sergio Castillo from the practice squad. Castillo’s lone NFL experience came in the 2014 preseason, so his sticktoitiveness should be commended. EDGE: Bills.
Coaching: It’s hard to believe Adam Gase is still employed as the Jets’ head coach. From the outside, Gase looks totally in over his head, but perhaps Jets General Manager Joe Douglas is playing chess while the rest of us are playing checkers. By keeping Gase, Douglas increases the chances of the Jets finishing with the worst record in the league and a chance to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Well played, Joe. Bills coach Sean McDermott has faced a bit of adversity the past couple of weeks. He’s had to deal with a run of injuries and a defense that has gone in the tank. He’s likely had some serious work to do in the locker room, too, after the team cut former starting guard Quinton Spain. The Jets, then, are the right opponent at the right time for McDermott, giving him an opportunity to get the Bills back on track. EDGE: Bills.
Prediction: Bills 35, Jets 13.
