Bills vs. Jets: What you need to know
The Jets could use Braxton Berrios on jet sweeps to provide a spark to the offense. Credit: Jim McIsaac
It may be unavoidable, but the Jets don’t want to get into a passing shootout with Buffalo.
If the Jets can establish the run, they can keep the ball out of Josh Allen’s hands. That’s a big IF considering their best and most explosive RB, Breece Hall, is out for the season, and now James Robinson is questionable for Sunday’s game with a knee issue after practicing all week. Without Hall, the Jets ran for a season-low 51 yards against New England last week. Michael Carter and Robinson totaled just 43 yards.
Ideally, the Jets don’t want QB Zach Wilson to have to do too much, especially after last week’s three-interception game. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur could try some reverses or jet sweeps with receivers Braxton Berrios or Elijah Moore to keep Buffalo’s stout defense off-balance and get some momentum going.
The Bills have the No. 4 rush defense, but they allowed a season-high 208 rush yards to the Packers last week.
"It’s going to be a struggle," LaFleur said, "but it’s going to be a great challenge and I know our guys are going to be up for it."
Allen is 5-2 overall against the Jets, winning the last four by an average of 15.8 points. He’s thrown for 1,224 yards, six touchdowns and one interception, and rushed for 184 yards and one score in those four games.
The Bills rank ninth in pass defense, allowing 203.1 yards per game. The Jets (203.4) rank 10th. Buffalo is tied for fifth in passing TDs allowed (1.0). The Jets are ninth (1.1).
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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