Week 9: Bills vs. Jets
at
Sunday, Nov. 2nd
1:00pm ET
This is a big game for both teams as the Bills try to rebound from a loss in their first division game in Miami last week while the Jets look to pull even with the Bills in the tightened up AFC East. Brett Favre brings a new sense of confidence for New York. The Bills play tougher at home than on the road and can't look past the Jets to another big game next week against New England.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (5-2) vs. N.Y. Jets (4-3)
Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium
Television: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Spread: Bills by 5
Series: Bills lead 53-42 (Bills 1-0 in playoffs)
Streak: Bills Won 3
Last Meeting: Bills 13-3 in New Jersey (2007)
Jets Offense: Rush (15th); Pass (15th); overall (15th)
Jets Defense: Rush (4th); Pass (23rd); overall (12th)
Bills Offense: Rush (22nd); Pass (12th); overall (18th)
Bills Defense: Rush (13th); Pass (13th); overall (11th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills continue to be very banged up heading into this showdown. They will be without Josh Reed who suffered an Achilles and ankle injury against the Dolphins last week. They may also be without two offensive linemen as Brad Butler has a knee injury and Jason Whittle has a quad injury. Butler missed last week's game and Whittle couldn't finish it but may be able to go this week or else they may have to call someone up from the practice squad. Aaron Schobel has missed two straight games with a foot injury and is questionable at best along with Ashton Youboty who also has a foot injury. Terrence McGee made it through the loss against Miami ok despite getting burned to a crisp. He should be closer to 100% this week as he recovers from a strained knee. Melvin Fowler should also be closer to full strength after being pressed into emergency duty last week despite being hampered by an elbow injury.

The Jets have placed QB Eric Ainge and RB Jesse Chatman on injured reserve. TE Chris Baker has hip and back injuries that puts his status for this week's game in doubt. He dressed but did not play last week against Kansas City. The Jets are already thin at tight end with Bubba Franks out with a groin injury. Along the defensive line, Kris Jenkins is slowed by a back injury but is playing through it. LB David Harris is likely out with a groin injury. K Mike Nugent remains out with a hamstring injury.
Bills Daily Injury Page

KEY MATCHUPS

WR James Hardy vs. CB Darrelle Revis:
With Reed out the Bills will need the rookie Hardy to come up big time to keep pressure off of Lee Evans. He will have a tough time going against the young and talented Revis who leads the Jets with three interceptions. Trent Edwards will have to be careful where he puts the ball when throwing to Hardy.

DT Marcus Stroud vs. RB Thomas Jones:
Stroud has brought legitimacy to the Bills run defense and the team has done well in the past against Jones. The former Bear and Cardinal has had a good year averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

OTs Jason Peters and Langston Walker vs. OLBs Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace:
In a 3-4 defense the outside linebackers are counted on more than the defensive ends to get to the passer. Thomas and Pace lead the way for the Jets with four sacks apiece. Peters looks to rebound from a sub-par game against another 3-4 backer in Joey Porter last week. Walker may struggle with the quick rush of Thomas.

RB Marshawn Lynch vs. NT Kris Jenkins:
The Bills have been waiting all year for a breakout game from Lynch. They may have to wait a while longer as Jenkins has solidified the Jets run defense like Stroud has done for the Bills. With the big bodies Jenkins in the middle the Jets likely can drop more defenders into coverage or blitz more with their outside linebackers Pace and Thomas.

DB Donte Whitner vs. QB Brett Favre:
Whitner will likely be all over the field playing both safety positions along with getting time at corner and the nickel if the banged up secondary doesn't get healthy in a hurry. The future Hall of Famer Favre will look to attack the banged up unit. If Whitner can come up big a few times the Bills may be able to force the free throwing Favre into a turnover or two.

LDE Chris Kelsay vs. RT Damien Woody:
Kelsay has needed to step up his game with Schobel out and he has yet to do so. This would be a good game for him to get it going and get some pressure on Favre. Woody is a wily veteran but he is beatable.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: The Jets will likely try to mimic what Miami did last week and flood the secondary with defenders to give Edwards fits in trying to throw the ball. The Bills should counter with trying to run the ball much more often than they did last week. If they have success against a solid run defense than the Jets will have no choice but to bring an extra defender or two into the box which should open up some passing lanes.

When The Jets Have The Ball: Favre is the ultimate gun slinger and will likely try to beat the Bills depleted secondary deep. Look for him to throw the ball an awful lot and take many shots down the field as the Bills are likely to try more press coverage than they have this season to defend against the short passing game.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

In New York they are talking about this game as a very important measuring stick for the Jets. They feel if the Jets can win this game they will have a good shot at the division. Expect the Jets to come to Buffalo inspired and fired up to give the Bills all they can handle. After a solid start, the Bills have lost two of their last three and can't afford to lose two straight division games. Look for them to show a bit of desperation to get back on track with the home crowd behind them that should be enough to sneak by in a close high scoring game:
Bills 34, Jets 30

Season Prediction Record: (6-1)
Season Record Against The Spread: (6-1)

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