New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills Preview: Key players, injuries, and more

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 24: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets warms up before their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York Jets (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

The New York Jets are set to take on the Buffalo Bills to kick off their 2019 season. Here is a brief preview of the game including key players and injuries.

Rest easy New York Jets fans, Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season is finally upon us. Anticipation is high, excitement is aplenty, and Jets football is officially back.

The visiting Buffalo Bills will travel to MetLife Stadium as the two division foes will kick off their season against one another. Both teams and fans alike are ready to see their seasons begin as both organizations try to take the next step towards postseason contention.

In fact, both the Jets and Bills are each in similar situations.

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Each team will be playing a second-year quarterback who played their best football over the final stretch of last season. Both teams drafted a dominant interior defensive lineman in the first round of the NFL Draft to add to an already strong defensive front.

And most of all, both teams will be looking to return to prominence in the NFL.

Let’s take a look at a brief preview of everything you need to know ahead of today’s game.

Next: Players to Watch

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 24: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets warms up before their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York Jets (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

Players to Watch

Le’Veon Bell, RB

All eyes will be square on Le’Veon Bell as the superstar running back makes his Jets debut on Sunday. Look for the team to get him heavily involved in all facets of the offense as they look to make the most of his abilities.

If Bell could get going on Sunday, the Jets should have a great chance of ultimately coming out on top. It will be all hands on deck for Buffalo as they look to halt the production of the three-time Pro Bowler.

Ryan Kalil, C

Another player making his Jets debut will be center Ryan Kalil. Kalil was coerced into coming out of retirement and signed with the Jets late in the summer. As a result, he never got to suit up in a preseason game.

That said, the veteran has played at an All-Pro level before and the Jets will be looking for a similar level of play this season. It should be interesting to see how the offensive line performs given that they haven’t been able to play together very much before this game.

Cole Beasley, WR

If the Bills are going to find success on offense, it’s going to have to be through the air. And they could pick on the Jets weak secondary by taking advantage of the matchup in the slot.

Cole Beasley will be making his Bills debut and will be primarily matched up with new nickel cornerback Brian Poole. Given Poole’s recent struggles with the Atlanta Falcons, this could be a matchup that swings in Buffalo’s favor.

Tremaine Edmunds, LB

With the aforementioned Bell expected to be heavily involved in the Jets offensive gameplan, it could be up to second-year linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to slow him down. Edmunds has the athleticism to match Bell but is ultimately inexperienced as a defender.

Whether he’s being asked to cover Bell as a receiver or plug up holes against him on the ground, Edmunds could be the Bills’ key to limiting Bell’s overall production.

Next: Injury Report

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 08: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline during a preseason game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York Jets (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Injury Report

Jets Injuries:

Questionable: Trumaine Johnson, CB (hamstring) — The Jets secondary is already as thin as it’s been in years, but fortunately Johnson is expected to suit up for this game.

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Questionable: Robby Anderson, WR (calf) — Wide receiver depth could become an issue for the Jets at some point. But much like Johnson, Anderson is expected to play.

Questionable: Braxton Berrios, WR/PR (hamstring) — The Jets claimed Berrios off waivers from the New England Patriots just last week. Now, the former Miami standout is expected to make his debut in Week 1 despite being banged up.

Bills Injuries:

Doubtful: Tyler Kroft, TE (foot) — The Bills, however, will not be as fortunate as the Jets with starting tight end Tyler Kroft not expected to play on Sunday. Look for players like Lee Smith and rookie Dawson Knox to step up in his absence.

Next. New York Jets: Buffalo Bills KR Andre Roberts wants revenge

Out: Andre Roberts, WR/KR (quad) — The revenge game narrative will have to wait until Week 17 as Roberts has been declared out with a nagging quad injury.

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