Dissecting Most Crucial Matchups in Jets' Week 12 Contest with Bills

After a win and a bye week, the New York Jets seek to avenge a Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills. At 2-8, the Jets are aiming to finish the season on a high note after a disastrous start.

Both teams have certainly looked at the film from Week 8 and have game-planned on how to replicate or avoid what transpired in the first game. However, each team must take into account active players who were inactive three weeks ago and players who are now clear-cut starters with adequate first-string practice reps.

According to John Wawrow of the The Associated Press, running back Fred Jackson seeks a return in hopes to boost the Bills offense. For Gang Green, Michael Vick will start his third straight game. Percy Harvin debuted in a quiet game against Buffalo. In the following weeks, he has made a significant impact on offense and special teams.

The Jets’ biggest concerns are slowing down Sammy Watkins and protecting Vick from a defense that leads the league in sacks with 39 per ESPN.com.

Sammy Watkins vs. Jets’ No. 1 Cornerback

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It’s unclear which cornerback Rex Ryan will line up against Watkins. The rookie wide receiver torched Darrin Walls a few weeks ago, and it was painful for fans to watch.

All three of Watkins’ catches for 157 yards and a touchdown were surrendered by Walls in coverage, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

According to Darryl Slater of NJ.com, Walls may return to action after missing two games with a calf injury. More help in the pass defense is certainly better in the Jets’ case, but Ryan should look elsewhere in an attempt to cover Watkins.

Cornerback Marcus Williams has filled in adequately, while Walls has been sidelined. He was paired with Josh Thomas and Phillip Adams in the past two weeks. The tandems have only surrendered one touchdown to a wide receiver within those games. 

Ryan has continuously shuffled the cornerback deck and should continue to start Williams unless he breaks down in coverage. Jaiquawn Jarrett emerged as another gem buried on New York’s roster. Both Williams and Jarrett should be the two defensive backs responsible for keeping Watkins out of the end zone Sunday—Williams in coverage and Jarrett as the safety over the top defending the deep ball.

Kyle Williams vs. Willie Colon

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Kyle Williams dominated the Jets' offensive line in Week 8. The three-time Pro Bowler was able to sack Vick twice. He provided relentless pressure on the veteran signal-caller, boasting a pressure percentage of 18.5.

Willie Colon hasn’t made a big deal about his knee getting scoped in the offseason after a meniscus tear, per Seth Walder via Twitter. However, it's plausible to believe it has affected his movement in pass and run protection this season.

Ryan acknowledges Colon is struggling, and it isn’t just his knee.

New York’s offensive line will be under siege throughout the game against an aggressive defensive line.

The veteran guard will have to correct his shortcomings on Sunday to avoid putting his quarterback in peril. A week off to rest the knee is helpful, but mechanically Colon has to work on timing and discipline.

Percy Harvin vs. Corey Graham

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Josh Alper, per Pro Football Talk, reports, Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a broken ankle.

Unlike Harvin’s debut, his second game against Buffalo has the potential to be as productive as Watkins’ first game. The newly acquired receiver had a big game against the Kansas City Chiefs’ No. 1-ranked pass defense—catching 11 passes for 129 yards.

Now, Buffalo is missing its most aggressive cornerback; McKelvin led the team with four interceptions. Corey Graham has been on the field for the least amount of snaps of the Bills' top four cornerbacks. 

Player	Snaps
Leodis McKelvin	330
Stephon Gilmore	229
Nickell Robey	253
Corey Graham	197

Harvin could line up in the slot, on the perimeter or in the backfield taking handoffs. The versatility makes it difficult for Graham, who played as a nickelback for the majority of the season. Buffalo must prevent Harvin from literally running circles around its pass defense.

Without McKelvin, the turnovers won’t come easily, and Vick hasn’t thrown an interception since the third quarter of the first matchup in Week 8.

The Jets’ most versatile receiver has been able to move the offense down the field, but he hasn’t scored a touchdown.

Opposing cornerbacks have played soft coverage on Harvin to prevent getting beat down the field. If the Bills follow suit and the score is close, a victory will be decided by Nick Folk or Gang Green’s ability to rectify its offensive red-zone efficiency.

Unless otherwise noted, all advanced statistics are provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

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