Intriguing Game– NFL, Week Nine
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Bills: In ode to the late Dennis Green, they are who we thought they were. Many had heavy expectations for them and rightfully so. They were a game away from the Super Bowl one year and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs the following year all while winning their division. There’s no doubt in my mind about who the best team is in the AFC. They reside in Orchard Park, New York. They really don’t have any weaknesses. The offense can beat you with just about anyone and in different ways, the defense is the best in the league and they’re great at making you earn your yards underneath, meaning you aren’t getting any type of yards deep down the field on them and they’re well coached. Sean McDermott has become one of the best coaches in the league today. What I’m about to tell you next will be mind boggling. The Bills didn’t play their best football on Sunday night against the Packers. If anything, they looked flat and struggled to hold onto the football. However, they still won by ten points. Just let that sink in. With every negative instance, there’s always a positive. Someone not named Josh was finally Buffalo’s leading rusher. They established Devin Singletary as often as they could, and it paid off. At the trade deadline, the Bills added another piece to this already electrifying offense and that’s Nyheim Hines. His skillset will mesh perfectly with this offense because defenses must account for him as a runner, but also a receiver. On Sunday, they begin the second half of the season with an instate showdown.
Jets: They’ve been one of the good stories in the league this season. I still remember what Robert Saleh said about keeping receipts for those who doubted them. Prior to the game against the New England Patriots, they had a four-game winning streak going. I remember saying on the radio that Bill Belichick would do what he does best and that’s take away what you do best and force you to beat his team in a different way. The Jets were winning games with a powerful running game and stingy defense. Bill did exactly what I said he’d do and that’s load up the box and make Zach Wilson beat you. Zach was sloppy with the ball and threw three interceptions and he didn’t deliver when he was called upon. The old adage in football is still true to this day. You won’t win games if you can’t take care of the ball. Here’s the crazy thing. If the playoffs were to begin today, they would be in at the five seed as one of the Wild Card teams. This defense is doing exactly what I expected of them because that’s Robert’s background. You saw what he did with the 49ers when he was their Defensive Coordinator. They’re a stout unit with the ability to rush the passer with a pure three- or four-man rush. This is a young team with their trajectory pointing up. On Sunday, they will face another tough task against the cream of the crop in the AFC back at MetLife. Talk about a tall task.
Bills X-Factor: Isaiah McKenzie– He’s becoming a key piece of this Buffalo offense. Behind Stefon Diggs (of course), Gabe Davis and Dawson Knox, Isaiah is the fourth target for the Quarterback. He knows his role within this offense and plays it well. They will use him primarily in the slot or wide on the perimeter. On Sunday against the Packers, he scored on a Wide Receiver jet sweep, so that shows he can impact the game in diverse ways. I sometimes say he’s the forgotten piece of this offense because of the attention the others command.
Jets X-Factor: Michael Carter– Breece Hall was carrying this offense on his back until he got hurt. They did acquire James Robinson in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Until James is on the same page with the offense, they will look to get Michael going and get him the football. He’s a smaller back but appears to get stronger as the game goes on. Michael is that bell cow Running Back. As I said, he’s been undersized, but he can break tackles consistently and makes people miss. Michael gives me Maurice Jones-Drew vibes.
Final Thoughts: Who’s ready for a battle of New York teams. Buffalo is still in control of the AFC East and the Jets are looking to get that big win in the division. One thing I noticed about Buffalo last Sunday night was the inability to stop the running game against the Packers. As I said up top, they didn’t look their best, but they showed that they can beat you in multiple ways. The Bills have contained some strong offenses throughout the year, and I don’t see them having any issues on Sunday with the Jets. I expect their game plan to be similar to the Patriots which is stop the run and get pressure on Wilson. Speaking of Zach, how does he bounce back? He made countless mistake after countless mistake, and it cost his team. If the Jets play as sloppily as they did against the Patriots when they play the Bills, it won’t end well for them. Run the football and control the clock.
Prediction: Bills 31, Jets 17
