Is this finally the year that the JETS sweep the BILLS?

By bILZrok  |   Friday, October 01, 2010  |  Comments( 332 )

Buffalo Bills
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
With weekend #4 rapidly approaching, it’s time to shift our focus onto the upcoming JETS game this Sunday. The JETS series has been an even one for the past 5yrs as they’ve split their two games each year. The home team has lost 3 of the last 4 meetings, and this one’s in Buffalo. Last year, the JETS averaged 16.0 pts in their games against Buffalo, while the Bills averaged 14.5pts/gm.

Trent Edwards started last year’s initial matchup in week 6, completing all 5 of his passes (43yds) before getting knocked out of the game in the first quarter. Fitzy replaced him going 10 for 25 while gaining 116yds. He finished with 1TD and threw an interception.

The Bills were down 13 to 3 at halftime and it probably should have been much worse as Thomas Jones racked up 210yds on 22 carries (~9.5yds/rush) while Leon Washington was gaining 99yds on 15 carries (~6.6yds/rush). Lynch/Jackson gained 113yds on 34 carries (~3.4yds/rush).

Sanchez kept Buffalo in the game throwing 5 picks and the JETS D allowed Buffalo to tie it up in the 2nd half. Buffalo missed an opportunity to put the JETS away when Lindell missed a 46yd FG at the end of regulation. Lindell redeemed himself by nailing a 47yd FG attempt in OT, preserving the upset in the Meadowlands.

The Bills only had 8 penalties for 64yds, while NY amassed 14 of them for 96yds.

Week 13 provided the rematch at Toronto, the BILLS “home” site for that year. The Bills are 0 and 2 during the regular season in Toronto… not that playing them in Buffalo would have gone any better, but it just doesn’t feel like a home crowd when they visit the land of maple syrup.

In the rematch, Buffalo once again found itself behind at halftime, this time down 16 to 10. That was unfortunate, because the first half was clearly the Bills best half. They came out of the halftime locker room and gained a total of 4 first downs and all of 36yds for the remainder of the game! The BILLS defense produced 5 sacks but once again had NO answer for the JETS rushing attack. This time, T. Jones gained 109yds on 23 carries (~4.7yds/rush) and the JETS as a team racked up 249 rushing yards. The BILLS had 91yds on 19 carries from Jackson/Lynch (~4.8yds/rush).

The game was over when Fitzy threw an interception to Revis with just over 2min remaining, after which, the JETS simply ran out the clock. Buffalo ended up going 1 for 11 on 3rd down opportunities while the JETS went 5 for 16. The Bills had only 1 penalty for 5yds and the JETS had 3 for 18yds, marking a significant improvement from their first matchup.

Sanchez finished 7 for 15 with 104yds, 1 TD and 0 pix. He was knocked out of the game in the 3rd quarter. Fitzy went 9 for 23 with 98yds, 0 TDs and 1 costly pick to seal the deal. He also had 2 fumbles, losing one of them.

The rushing total for the JETS in those contests was 567yds! That set a team record for them against a single opponent for the year. They only managed to score a total of 3pts after halftime. I think that makes the key to this upcoming game staying close at halftime and not letting them build an early lead. Thomas Jones is gone but they have more than one capable replacement and will pound the ball early and often behind their dominant offensive line. Sanchez is improved this year and looks much more comfortable in the pocket, demonstrating leadership skills that he seemed to be missing in last year’s campaign.

Prediction – NYJ 23………………………….. Buffalo 16.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (332)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report