Jets TakeOff! A Week 9 Preview New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills

Fresh off the bye week, the Jets come to a crucial two week period in their schedule.  One game behind both the Bills and Patriots in the AFC East, with the Patriots looming next week, the Jets go to Buffalo to face the surprising Buffalo Bills, behind their breakout running back Fred Jackson.  The Jets are winless on the road so far this season, rare in the Rex Ryan era, when the Jets have been road warriors.  Let’s take a look:

The Bills lead the overall series 53-47.  The Jets have won five out of the last six meetings, including the last 3 in Buffalo.  Here are some keys to the game:

IS THE JETS OFFENSE HITTING ITS STRIDE?

The Jets seemed to be hitting their mark going into the bye week.  Plaxico Burress tied his career high with 3 TDs in the Jets last game vs the San Diego Chargers.  In the last three games, Mark Sanchez has completed 48 of 84 passes (57.1 pct.) for 540 yards with 6 TDs vs. 1 INT & 95.3 passer rating, although Kris Jenkins seems to think that Schottenheimer is not letting Mark Sanchez “become a man”.  An interesting observation which does really pan out if you look at the facts.  The Bills are in the lower portion of the conference in pass defense, giving up 265.9 yards per game.

The run offense has been terrific against the Bills in the Rex Ryan era, with performances of 273, 276, 249, and 318 rushing yards in the four games against the Buffalo Bills to date in the Rex Ryan era.  Don’t expect this Jets team to put in a performance of that magnitude, but the Jets rushing attack has improved lately.  Shonn Greene rushed for a season high 112 yards in the last game against the Chargers, and rushed for 117 yards last time the Jets faced the Bills.  The Bills have only allowed 120 yards per game on the ground, so it will be a tough task.

The Jets offense has to continue moving forward to make a serious run.

STEVE JOHNSON VS DARRELLE REVIS

Steve Johnson had some interesting comments earlier, saying that Revis Island is nothing special.  Really?  Look at the numbers, especially lately.  Revis has 3 INTs in the last 2 games, and for his career, has 4 INTs against the Buffalo Bills.  Good luck Mr. Johnson, hope you can back it up.  Don’t think that you will.

AARON MAYBIN WANTS REVENGE

This a big week for Mayhem.  Aaron Maybin, as reported earlier by lead writer Mark Greenberg, blames the Bills for not giving him the opportunity to succeed in Buffalo.  Maybin, a high draft pick by Buffalo, was a disappointment for 2 seasons and summarily released.  However, as the old saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  Maybin has taken to the the Rex Ryan defense so far, and in a pass rushing role, led the Jets along with Calvin Pace, recording 3 sacks.  Coach Ryan has said to expect Aaron Maybin to be a captain on Sunday, and to begin to see an expanded role.  If Maybin can create his “Mayhem”, the Jets will have a leg up on Sunday

STOP FRED JACKSON AND SCOTT CHANDLER

These are two well documented issues with the 2011 New York Jets, and they need to be cured in order for the Jets to make a serious run.  The first is the run defense.  It has not been up to the Rex Ryan standard set in the first two seasons, and Fred Jackson is having a breakout year, looking for his fourth straight 100 yard rushing game.  By the way, not a good sign if Fred Jackson does eclipse the 100 yard mark, as the Bills are 10-2 in games that Jackson goes over the century mark.  Jackson also ranks 2nd in the NFL this season in yards from scrimmage per game with 153.4.  Keep Fred Jackson from being a major factor on Sunday.

The other problem for the Jets is the hybrid, pass catching tight end.  The Jets have trouble here, and the Bills have a good one.  Scott Chandler is leading NFL TE’s with 6 TD catches.  They need to keep Chandler out of the endzone to win on Sunday.

There you have it, the week 9 game preview.  Enjoy the game, see you on the other side.