The New York Jets have the playoffs in their sights, but the Buffalo Bills stand in their way. Rex Ryan and the Bills. I think Rex Ryan has been dreaming about some kind of scenario like this where he can beat the Jets in a spot like this. This will be quite the scene if the Bills pull it out, keep a camera on Rex if it plays out like that. The Bills have nothing to lose here, as they aren’t making the playoffs regardless of a win. Sometimes when you have a team that can let loose with nothing to lose they can be the most dangerous teams. The Bills fit that billing this afternoon. If this was any other opponent than the Jets, I don’t think the Bills would be getting up for this game. Because it’s the Jets, looking for head coach Rex Ryan to rally the troops and at least be motivated to come and play a hard game against the Jets.
If the Jets lose, their only way of making the playoffs will be with a Steelers loss against the Cleveland Browns. I don’t want to assume anything, but the Steelers have a good chance of winning that one. This isn’t how Rex Ryan drew it up, I’m sure a more satisfying experience would be knocking the Jets out of the playoffs and then earning a spot themselves. However, it would serve as positive vibes for the Bills heading into the offseason. At the very least, Rex Ryan will smile just a little bit bigger for the next month.
A bright spot in the Bills’ season has been Tyrod Taylor. Taylor who came in as the starter after winning a preseason quarterback competition took the chance and ran with it. Taylor, the former Virginia Tech Hokie and Baltimore Raven, asserted himself as the Bills clear starter at quarterback. Not only for this season, but Taylor barring injury will enter next season as the starter as well. Kind of hard to think otherwise after what he’s done this season. Without Taylor, Rex Ryan would be on the hot season. The defense did not show up for the Bills this season for the most part. It was the offense that actually kept them in ball games. It’s the biggest game for the Jets this season, Todd Bowles biggest game as head coach, we’ll see how it all plays out in Buffalo.
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills NFL Betting Odds:
Spread:
N.Y. Jets -3(-110)
vs. Buffalo Bills +3(-110)
Total:
Over 41(-110)
Under 41(-110)
Odds provided by Bovada.lv
Jets vs. Bills Pick:
The Jets are 10-5 and 3-3 on the road this season. The biggest shame here is that the Jets may not make the playoffs with a 10-6 record and the Washington Redskins are going to be in. Not only in the playoffs, but they are going to be hosting a playoff game. I already said before, the winner of divisions should get playoff berths, but something should be done about the fact that teams with barely .500 records are going to have the luxury of playing at home. For the Jets, though, all they need to do is win and they’re in. It may be harder than it appears, though. When the Bills want to come and play at home, they can bring a really good game. Ask the Patriots, who have been frustrated playing against the Bills at home. The Bills have won each of their last three games at home.
The Buffalo offense is 11th in the NFL, averaging 365 yards per game. People were thinking a bottom 20 offense, with a top 5 defense this season. And actually, it has been the offense as the bright spot of the team. Taylor enters with a 100.7 quarterback rating. He’s passed for 2853 yards and 20 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions.
Taylor has also rushed 517 yards and 3 touchdowns. Plot twist in this game, if Taylor stays healthy and completes the game he would take over 80 percent of the snaps for the Bills this season, resulting in a 1 million dollar bonus for Taylor. He deserves it the way he’s handled himself this season. The Jets are 8th in the league in total offense. Fitzpatrick has been solid with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. I see the Bills drawing up a solid defensive plan on this game and frustrate Fitzpatrick and the Jets offense. Everyone is jumping on the Jets because they are playing for something and the Bills aren’t. When everybody counts the Bills out they usually do something. Bills cover here.
PICK: BILLS +3 (-110)