While the New York Jets are resting during their Week 8 bye, the two teams they rail in the AFC East are under way after returning from their bye week the week before.
The New England Patriots, as usual, are the beasts of the AFC East, with a 5-1 record that they’re putting on the line against the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon in Pittsburgh.
The surprising 4-2 Buffalo Bills are the other team the Jets are looking up at in the standings for the time being, and that includes an impressive home win over New England on their resume.
This afternoon, the Bills are “hosting” the 3-3 Washington Redskins up in Toronto, where the Bills are winless in three previous games over the last three seasons.
In Week 9, the Jets head up to Buffalo to face the Bills, the first of two meetings between the two teams. For the first time in years, it’ll be a must-win game for the Jets, and we’ll see what those two teams are made of.
Buffalo’s played well offensively, led by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and running back Fred Jackson, a Pro Bowl-caliber back who is putting together a terrific season.
The Bills defense is much improved this year, and they’re an opportunistic bunch, with a knack for clutch takeaways when they need it most. The Bills and Jets are tied for the league lead with 16 takeaways.
After the Jets and Bills do battle up in Western New York, the Jets head back home in Week 10 and host the Patriots in what is undoubtedly a huge game.
If the Jets can come off the bye week and win these big back-to-back divisional games, they’ll thrust themselves right back into this heated race.
Of course, getting some help from the Steelers and Redskins wouldn’t hurt either. The Patriots even play the New York Giants next week, which will be an interesting game to keep an eye on as well.
The Jets also play the Redskins and Giants later on in the second half of the season.
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