Week 9’s "Thursday Night Football" matchup pits the New York Jets (3-5) in a home game at MetLife Stadium against the Buffalo Bills (5-2).
The Jets have lost three in a row but have been surprisingly competitive this year. Expected by most to be one of the league’s worst teams, New York has lost just one game by more than nine points. Their last three games have seen them lose by only a combined 15 points to last season’s two Super Bowl teams (New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons) as well as the 4-3 Miami Dolphins.
Buffalo has also been one of the league’s surprises at 5-2.
Each win brings them closer to their first postseason appearance since the 1999 season. The Bills have won their last two games and four of their last five. Last Sunday, they dominated the Oakland Raiders, winning 34-14.
Bills' offense
Passing leader: Tyrod Taylor 125-196 (63.8%), 1,343 yards, 8 TD, 2 INT
Rushing leader: LeSean McCoy 137 carries, 521 yards (3.8 y/c), 3 TD
Receiving leader: Charles Clay 20 receptions, 258 yards, 2 TD
The Bills enter Thursday’s game in the middle of the pack, averaging 21.9 points per game, which places them 15th out of 32 NFL teams. They had their two highest point totals of the season in their past two games, with their 34 against the Raiders and 30 the previous week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While Tyrod Taylor isn’t a high-yardage passer, he doesn’t turn the ball over often and is a threat with his feet. He will be without one of his favorite targets in tight end Charles Clay, but he also gained a new target as the Bills acquired Kelvin Benjamin via trade from the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday. The 6"5 Benjamin’s 32 catches and 475 yards this year easily outpace any other Buffalo wide receiver.
Their run game got going in the last two games, averaging 169.5 yards in the two wins. LeSean McCoy struggled from Weeks 2-5 averaging just 42.3 yards on 2.6 yards per carry. The last two games have showcased the “Shady” that has been a five-time Pro Bowler as he’s averaging 121 yards on 4.8 yards per carry.
Vs. Jets' defense
Tackles leader: Demario Davis 67
Sacks leader: Demario Davis 2.5
Interceptions leader: Marcus Maye, Terrence Brooks 2
The Jets rank 22nd, allowing 23.3 points per game. Their defense has forced nine turnovers in their last four games, with at least two in each of them. New York has struggled getting to the quarterback, which may spell trouble against a versatile player like Tyrod Taylor. Their 1.4 sacks per game are only more than the Buccaneers. Teams have been able to run against the Jets with ease, including the Bills who ran for a season-high 190 yards against them in Week 1. New York has allowed at least 140 rushing yards in five of their eight games.
Jets' offense
Passing leader: Josh McCown 179-254 (70.5%), 1,840 yards, 12 TD, 7 INT
Rushing leader: Bilal Powell 74 carries, 316 yards (4.3 y/c), 2 TD
Receiving leader: Robby Anderson 27 receptions, 435 yards, 3 TD
The Jets are averaging 19.6 points per game, good for 21st in the league.
Where their offense has struggled most this year is not being able to take care of the ball. They have at least one turnover in every game and at least two in five of their eight games.
Fifteen-year veteran Josh McCown has been a pleasant surprise at quarterback. Expected to be a placeholder for 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg, McCown is completing over 70% of his passes and has thrown nine touchdown passes in the last four games. His worst game did come in Week 1 against Buffalo when he didn’t throw a touchdown and had two interceptions.
After running for 256 yards in a Week 4 overtime win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jets’ run offense has been nearly nonexistent. They are only averaging 60.8 yards on the ground in their last four outings where they have gone 1-3.
Vs. Bills' defense
Tackles leader: Lorenzo Alexander 42
Sacks leader: Jerry Hughes 3
Interceptions leader: Micah Hyde 5
The Bills have displayed a strong defense all season, and their 16.4 points allowed per game is third-best in the NFL. They have only allowed over 20 points once in their first seven games. Their 2.4 turnovers forced per game is a league-best, as is their +14 turnover margin. They have forced at least three turnovers in each of their last four games.
Despite losing cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots in free agency, Buffalo’s pass defense has been nothing short of outstanding. Opposing quarterbacks have thrown just six touchdown passes while giving up the ball 11 times on interceptions.
The Bills aren’t a one-dimensional defense, though. They are allowing just 80.1 rushing yards per game on only 3.5 yards per carry. They allowed a season-low 38 yards on the ground in their Week 1 win over the Jets.
