Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
TV Schedule: Sunday, Sept. 22, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Stadium: MetLife Stadium
Weather: Low 56, High 76
Line: New York (-1.5)
The Buffalo Bills seem to be everyone’s favorite team lately, especially after rookie and first-round pick EJ Manuel tossed a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds against the Carolina Panthers. The rookie has led the team to a 1-1 record on 45 of 66 passing for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Stevie Johnson has been his favorite target, catching 11 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in week two, through the first two weeks. The Bills need another target to emerge because Johnson is the only solid option at the moment, besides maybe Robert Woods who has five catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. C.J. Spiller has been solid, especially in week two, rushing for 144 yards on 33 carries, but failing to reach the end zone so far this season.
Entering the 2013 season, Rex Ryan and the New York Jets were expected to do next to nothing with Mark Sanchez at quarterback. Well, they don’t have to worry about that anymore because Ryan put him in during the team’s third preseason game and he suffered an injury. Geno Smith has since taken over at quarterback and the rookie has led this team to a 1-1 record — to some people’s surprise. He has completed just over 50 percent of his passes for 470 yards and just one score. He needs some more help from the rest of his offense, however, as Stephen Hill, Kellen Winslow and Santonio Holmes seem to be the only viable weapons. The run game might average over 100 yards per contest, but the yards per carry rate is close to just three.
Defensively, the Jets are one of the best units in the NFL. In fact, the run-stopping defense ranks fourth in the league, allowing just 59.5 rush yards per game. That could be a potential problem for Spiller and Fred Jackson. Through the air, the Jets rank sixth against stopping the pass. On the other side, the Bills allow 128 more yards per game than the Jets. In fact, the Bills rush defense allowed over 140 yards per game which is third-last in the league.
PREDICTION: Bills 21, Jets 20
Related: Bills vs. Jets: Battle of Mentor vs. Protege
Defensive Backs Holding Up for Bills
Jets: Santonio Holmes Finding Pre-Injury Form
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
