New York Jets Week 8 Know Thy Enemy: Buffalo Bills

Oct 12, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone yells at a referee during the second half against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium. New England beats Buffalo 37 to 22. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

This week I got a chance to correspond with Dennis Amo, editor of FanSided’s Buffalo Bills’ site BuffaLowDown, about this Sunday’s matchup between the Bills and the Jets. My prediction is the Jets beat the Bills 27-20 because, frankly, the team that is overconfident in the series is always the one that loses and this week that is certainly the Bills.

More from Jets News

The Jets are better than 1-6 with some bad breaks to go along with poor play and the Bills are a sketchy 4-3 with a couple of last second victories during a four game stretch where they have had ten turnovers. Things tend to even out and with the addition of Percy Harvin they should on Sunday. Dennis doesn’t agree with my logic. Here are his thoughts on Sunday’s matchup:

Oct 19, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (73) tries to tackle Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton (18) as he throws the ball during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beats Minnesota 17 to 16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Question 1 – Kyle Orton has led a couple of great come from behind victories for the Bills and I’m sure enthusiasm in Buffalo is sky high. Do you think the Bills made the right decision long-term giving up on EJ Manuel?

Answer – Benching EJ Manuel was a good decision by the Bills. Manuel has a lot of raw talent which needs to be matured and coached. He is having accuracy issues and also some confidence. Buffalo was putting pressure on him not to make mistakes and he was over thinking a lot of the plays getting himself into trouble. Bringing in Orton, to give EJ someone to learn from and watch was the right move. I don’t think they have given up on EJ, but are allowing him to mature because Orton is a stop gap at this point and not a long term placement.

Aug 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (43) tackles Buffalo Bills running back CJ Spiller (28) during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Question 2 The Bills lost both CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson last week. Who should we expect to see get the majority of carries this week? Will the Bills look to abandon the run & attack the Jets secondary?

Answer – The Jets will get a heavy dose of CJ’s and Fred’s clones; Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown. They are both similar to each Spiller and Jackson so running style wise will not be lost in the game. Dixon will get the majority of the carries and goalline looks with Brown being a change of pace guy as Spiller is. You may see a little more of Orton and the passing game but not by much, Dixon has shown that he can take the rock and run with it so don’t expect to see a major change in their game plan.

Oct 19, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) celebrates a sack with teammate defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Question 3 What powers the Bills defense? Is it the defensive line? The young secondary? Should we expect to see heavy blitzing on Sunday?

Answer – The defense line is the unit that moves the defense. The experience in the line and linebackers is why there hasn’t been a rushing TD allowed all year. The defensive backs are still a little questionable giving up almost 250 yards per game. Jim Schwartz does not blitz, so you will see a lot of 3 and 4 man rushing stunts, but not a lot of blitzing. Buffalo lead the league in sacks last year with about 30% of the plays blitzing, they are only 3 sacks off their pace from last year with almost half the amount of blitzing and they are still leading the league in sacks.

Oct 19, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) catches the game tying touchdown during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beats Minnesota 17 to 16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Question 4 Sammy Watkins has been as good as advertised. What makes him a great receiver and how does he impact a game.

Answer – Sammy has all the tools already. That is why he is good. First couple of games, Manuel struggled to get him the ball and show his potential. Watkins in the last couple of games with Orton at the helm has allowed Sammy to play his game and has gotten him the ball. Look for more of the same against the Jets secondary.

Nov 17, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (88) catches a ball for a touchdown while being defended by New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 37-14. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Question 5 What is your prediction for Sunday’s game, including score?

Answer – A lot of people are worried about the Jets, and rightfully so, they are a good team that just is not firing on all cylinders. It will be a close game but I have to say that the Bills have come from behind twice this year to win, I think it will be a Bills win. 27-23.

Home/Jets News