AFC East clashes not including New England have traditionally been stinkers!
However, two teams many thought were tanking this season are actually both extremely competitive units and in Buffalo’s case, are playoff contenders.
I agreed with Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network when he said he could see the Jets going winless this season. Well, they’ve peeled off three wins from eight starts and have been within a touchdown in four of their five losses.
Buffalo has been arguably the surprise packet of the season.
5-2 with wins over Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Oakland have them well placed to challenge New England at the summit of the AFC East and worst case, enter the playoffs as a wildcard.
We may not get 70 points in this one and the ball may not be zinging up and down the gridiron but it’s certain to be a closely fought, intense, aggressive contest.
Let’s take a look at what will be the major factors in determining a winning team;
BILLS OWN THE GROUND
LeSean McCoy made a slow start to this season but he has found his groove recently. Last week, he punched out 151 rush yards on 27 carries plus he caught half a dozen passes against Oakland. Tyrod Taylor was no certainty to remain in western New York this offseason gone but his play has been superb.
Taylor only has a mediocre 1343 aerial yards but his ability to move the chains with his legs makes this offence go.
When Shady and T-Mobile are running wild, the Bills roll.
JUST FINISH JETS
As mentioned, four of the Jets five losses have been under one touchdown.
In week 8, a muffed punt was the catalyst for a late-game Falcons touchdown which cost the Jets another game.
Josh McCown is performing better than expected, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell are a nice 1-2 punch on the ground and Robbie Anderson, Jermaine Kearse and Jeremy Kerley are playing good wide receiver football.
Barring any late game errors, Gang Green will be in this one until the end.
TIP: Bills 23, Jets 17
Shady will face a good run defence but between he and Taylor, they will be just too much for New York – even at MetLife Stadium.
BEST BETS;
Bills -3 ($1.91)
Bills 1-13 points ($2.51)
Tyrod Taylor anytime TD ($4.20)
Tyrod Taylor +27.5 rush yards ($1.87)
Josh Jenkins Sports 