Jets, Todd Bowles focus on winning, not Rex Ryan's stunts

The Big Top is back.

Rex Ryan managed to steal the spotlight for Thursday night's game between the Jets and his new team, the Buffalo Bills. But his circus sideshow -- wearing a Clemson helmet as a prop at a news conference and making quarterback-punching linebacker IK Enemkpali a co-captain -- has little to do with anyone other than Ryan. The Jets weren't the least bit fazed by his distractions or the hype.

Through it all, Todd Bowles' team has been focused on getting a win. And, to the Jets, it's irrelevant that it will have to come at the expense of their former coach.

It's a big game, against an AFC East opponent, with millions watching. That's more than enough incentive for a team still searching for its identity and a winning streak.

"We're trying to win two games in four days. It's not facing him, it's facing the Bills,'' Bowles said Sunday after a 28-23 win over the Jaguars. "They're a division rival and we're trying to win the game.''

Not surprisingly, his message has stayed consistent. Bowles refused to get sucked into the Ryan-driven story lines and kept the focus on football.

"They've got a lot of talent at a lot of skill positions,'' Bowles said of the 4-4 Bills. "They're big and tough up front on both sides of the ball. It's going to be a tough ballgame.''

Ryan, who spent six seasons with the Jets before being fired last Dec. 29, also had high praise for his opponent. Asked about the Jets' defense, he said: "Well, it looks pretty darn good. You know we had guys that fought their tails off. But when you add a talent like a [Darrelle] Revis, [Antonio] Cromartie, the [Marcus] Gilchrist kid, that's a little different.

"The front is absolutely playing at a huge level. I think 'Snacks' , wow, is he playing great. They got the young kid in there playing really well, too, Leonard Williams. It's a short list if they're not the best defense in the league.''

But injuries, and not Ryan's defensive scheming, could be the biggest obstacle for the Jets (5-3). Guard Willie Colon (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, safeties Calvin Pryor and Dion Bailey (high ankle sprains) are out, and Cromartie (deep thigh bruise) and running back Bilal Powell are doubtful. Nickel corner Buster Skrine (shoulder, hand) is questionable.

If the Jets expect to win, they'll need a big game from featured back Chris Ivory, who is averaging fewer than 25 rushing yards in the last three games. The Jaguars held him to only 26 yards on 23 carries, although he did score twice from a yard out.

"Teams make adjustments,'' Ivory said. "And I think that's what we're seeing. Eventually, we'll have some of those big runs.''

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who again will be playing with a torn ligament in his left thumb, said the offense is "searching for answers a little bit'' but believes their rushing attack "is going to get back on track.''

For the Jets' sake, they better hope that starts Thursday night.