Bills vs Jets: 3 keys to victory for New York

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) runs with the ball as Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Nigel Bradham (53) pursues during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills vs Jets game holds much importance when it comes to the AFC playoff picture as both teams need a win in this Week 10 match-up.

The 5-3 NY Jets will host the 4-4 Buffalo Bills in a primetime match-up that holds a great deal of importance in terms of the AFC playoff picture. If Gang Green were to come away with a win tonight, they would stand “three games” ahead of both the Bills and Dolphins because of head-to-head wins over each of them. Although, New York cannot afford to look ahead simply due to the fact that they’ve struggled the past few weeks.

Last Sunday, the Jets came away with a 28-23 win over the Jaguars in a game that was far too close for comfort. Head coach Todd Bowles’ defense allowed two touchdown drives that lasted less than 30 seconds in which quarterback Blake Bortles took advantage of the battered secondary. The 2014 first-round pick finished the contest completing 24 of 40 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns. New York did tally six sacks, but Bortles probably eluded six others. Against an extremely fast and shifty team like Buffalo, the Jets have to tackle better than they did against Jacksonville.

The Bills on the other hand are coming off of a much-needed 33-17 win over the Dolphins. Running backs LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams churned for 222 yards rushing to go along with three touchdowns while quarterback Tyrod Taylor had himself a day as well. Head coach Rex Ryan’s defense, however, hasn’t lived up to the off-season hype. Buffalo currently sits in the middle of the pack yielding 353.5 yards and 23.8 points per game, but has a chance to lower those numbers against a Jets’ offense that hasn’t run the ball well as of late.

Looking at this game on paper, it’s pretty much a coin flip. The Bills have gotten healthy and it looks like they’ve found their mojo after the bye week while New York hasn’t played well since Week 6. The Bills are obviously going into this game with more momentum and more to play for. Rex will be hungry for revenge and the Jets will be on their heels all night.

Here are three things Gang Green must do to hold off Buffalo in the Meadowlands.

Next: 3. Throw the ball quick and short

Nov 8, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) drops back to pass during warmups before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Fitzpatrick is wearing a protective glove on his injured left hand. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Throw the ball quick and short

This may seem like a weird key to victory, but it’s something the Jets have no other choice but to do. Against a Rex Ryan-coached defense, the ball has to get out of the quarterback’s hand fast or else he’s going down. A banged up Ryan Fitzpatrick and offensive line gives New York even more of a reason to abide by this. Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes are simply going to give the Jets’ o-line a lot of trouble. The front-four has a combined eight sacks and the two tackles (Dareus and K. Williams) haven’t even played as many snaps as the ends (M. Williams and Hughes).

Not only will the Jets be at a disadvantage in the pass blocking department, running the ball will continue to be a struggle. Last week, running back Chris Ivory carried the ball 23 times for a mere 26 yards. He was able to punch in two touchdowns, but the yardage was absolutely pathetic. If New York can’t pound the rock against the Jaguars, then how are they supposed to do it against Buffalo? On Pro Football Focus, all four lineman have positive ratings in run defense with Dareus leading the way (+11.7). The Bills’ secondary is no joke either, therefore short, quick passes can keep the ball away from their playmaking corners in Ronald Darby and Stephon Gilmore.

In order for this plan to be executed, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey needs to put Fitzpatrick in the best position to succeed. For that to happen, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker need to be targeted on a majority of passes because these two have been nothing short of tremendous through the first eight games. Marshall has given New York a presence at receiver that they haven’t had in years and Decker is as consistent as they come. This will get the ball in your star’s hands, keep the corners away from the ball, and most importantly, keep Fitzpatrick off the turf.

Next: 2. Contain Tyrod Taylor

Nov 8, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs the ball during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beats Miami 33 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

2. Contain Tyrod Taylor

It certainly isn’t easy, but containing Taylor is how you take down the Bills. What makes him so dangerous is his ability to escape pressure and either scramble or throw on the run. According to PFF, the first-year starter has a 71.8% completion percentage which is the highest out of any starting quarterback league-wide and he’s currently ranked as the 10th-best quarterback with an overall grade of +10.3. On PFF, he’s actually ranked as the second-best quarterback in the league when throwing under pressure. He’s pressured on 36.7% of his drop backs yet he completes 65.1% of those passes with a 76.5% accuracy rating.

The stat that’s most intriguing for the Jets is the fact that Taylor gets sacked 27% of the time he’s pressured, according to PFF. This percentage ranks as the second-highest among starters only behind Marcus Mariota who holds a 27.4%. This will create plenty of opportunities for the Jets’ front-seven to get sacks, regardless of how mobile Taylor is. Lorenzo Mauldin is a guy to look for to potentially have another standout game like he did in last week’s action. The Louisville product broke out with a 2.5 sack performance and Stephen White of SB Nation even went on a limb to say he’s the pass rusher the Jets have been looking for.

David Harris and Demario Davis are also guys who must stay involved in the pass rush simply because Mauldin can’t do everything on his own. Coach Bowles can’t count on the defensive linemen to chase down Taylor, so someone other than Mauldin has to as well. The Bills’ offensive line isn’t anything special either, so it would be inexcusable for New York’s linebackers to get consistently blocked out of plays by the line. With Kraig Urbik and Seantrel Henderson being the two weakest links on the line, expect coach Bowles to send many different blitzes towards that right side. This would help keep Taylor in the pocket and prevent him from rolling out.

Next: 1. Don't overuse Rontez Miles

Aug 21, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive back

Rontez Miles

(45) runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble during the second half of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Falcons 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

1. Don’t overuse Rontez Miles

Who would’ve ever thought that the early season-ending injuries to Antonio Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett would doom Gang Green’s safety situation further down the road? Well strangely, the Jets desperately need one or both of them at the moment. Earlier this week, New York made the decision to promote Rontez Miles from the practice squad and possibly even start him. This is because Marcus Williams struggled mightily the past two games as the temporary safety. Coach Bowles actually moved Marcus Gilchrist to strong safety in order for Williams to play free safety which is more pass coverage-oriented than strong safety.

What’s scary about Miles starting is the fact that he’s never started a regular season game in his career. He’s been predominately a practice squad player and a special teamer when he’s on the 53-man roster. On the positive side, at least the fit is nice. Miles is a strong safety that likes to play up in the box and help out in run defense. When he first joined the Jets, many people compared him to LaRon Landry and called him a diamond in the rough. Now, he’ll finally get his first shot under the bright MetLife Stadium lights in Thursday night primetime action.

Next: Battle of the exes

Even though the Jets will try to get his feet wet, they shouldn’t overuse him and cost themselves a chance at a win. Miles has never been accustomed to players like McCoy, Karlos Williams, and Watkins, so it should be interesting to see how he gameplans against these guys when he’s on the field. Overall, coach Bowles would be foolish not to continue utilizing Williams at safety based on his two interception game last week and Miles’ inexperience.