Bills and Jets should be a low scoring battle

By Connor Byrne  |   Friday, October 14, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Buffalo Bills
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This Sunday the Buffalo Bills (2-3) will welcome the division rival New York Jets (2-3) to Ralph Wilson Stadium. Both teams won last week as the Bills took down the Miami Dolphins and the Jets defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bills gave Kelly Holcomb his first start last week and it paid off, while the Jets coaxed Vinny Testaverde out of retirement and he looked good in the Jets' 14-12 victory. However, despite the solid efforts from these two quarterbacks last week, their respective teams are still wondering how they'll do this week. On Thursday, Bills' head coach Mike Mularkey finally confirmed that Holcomb would start, after refusing to comment for four days. As for the Jets, head coach Herman Edwards has to wonder whether Testaverde was playing last week on pure adrenaline and if he even has anything left. The key to this week's game for each team is whether they can put any points on the board. The Jets currently rank 29th in yards per game while the Bills rank 30th.

Testaverde will likely have difficulty throwing the ball since the Bills' pass defense is currently #1 in the NFL. The Jets' main options through the air, Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins, may have a tough day as they go up against the Bills' cornerback tandem of Nate Clements and Terrence McGee. That means the Jets must get the ball to running back Curtis Martin early and often. Last year, Martin was the NFL's leading rusher but has fallen way off this year. The 32-year old is finally showing signs of age as he is currently averaging just 2.7 yards per carry. He may be in luck this week as Buffalo ranks 31st in the NFL in run defense and are currently allowing an abysmal 160.4 yards per game on the ground. If the Jets fail to get Martin off and running, they will be in big trouble since their backup running back, Derrick Blaylock, will be sidelined with an ankle injury.

For the Bills, it is important that the offensive line gives Holcomb time to throw. It will be an extremely difficult task as the blockers will have to go up against a Jets' front seven led by defensive ends John Abraham and Shaun Ellis, defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, and the NFL's leading tackler, middle linebacker Jonathon Vilma. Mike Williams, the Bills' starting right tackle, has to make a point to return from his three-week absence for this game. Backup tackle Greg Jerman is just not adequate enough to win consistent battles with Abraham or Ellis. Williams probably isn't either but he certainly has a better chance than Jerman. I would expect Jets' defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson to stack up eight men in the box to try and stymie Bills' running back Willis McGahee. Holcomb will likely be on his back all game if McGahee plays poorly. Expect the Bills to give it to him 30 times in this game, even if he's struggling.

Holcomb may have an extra threat on offense this week. Bills' receiver Roscoe Parrish, their second-round draft pick, may return from his wrist injury. He has been practicing at nearly full-speed for the last few days. If he does play, the Jets' 5th ranked pass defense will have a big test on their hands. Parrish will come out of the slot and Jets' cornerback Derrick Strait will likely be overmatched as he is not fast enough to cover him. The emergence of Parrish might be able to open up more big plays for Bills' starting receivers Eric Moulds and Lee Evans. The tandem finally broke out last week when they combined for 10 catches and 124 yards. Jets' cornerback Ty Law is certainly looking forward to another of his patented battles with Moulds. They have been battling since the late '90s.

If neither offense gets going, the special teams units could end up being the difference. If this ends up being the case, the Bills have the advantage. Buffalo's special teams unit is among the finest in the entire league and they seem to progress every week. As far as their matchup against the Jets' special teams unit, the Bills hold the advantage in the kicking game, coverage game, and return game.

As far as any predictions for this game, I would expect the Bills to pull out a very close battle. It could end up coming down to the last couple of plays as these two rivals look to add another classic to the already long line of Jets vs Bills contests. Remember, if the Patriots lose their game against Denver, first-place in the AFC East could be had for the winner of this game.

Injury Report

Bills- WR Roscoe Parrish (Questionable- Wrist), TE Tim Euhus (Probable- Shoulder), RG Chris Villarial (Probable- Abdomen), S Coy Wire (Probable- Thigh).

Jets- QBs Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler (Out- Shoulder), RB Derrick Blaylock (Out- Ankle), LB Eric Barton (Questionable- Ankle), FB B.J. Askew (Questionable- Ankle).
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