New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills: Complete Week 12 Preview for New York
The New York Jets enter Week 12 hoping to build upon their most impressive performance of the season and get revenge on an old rival.
Gang Green's hopes of a postseason berth are dead, but they still have a lot to play for down the stretch, especially against their AFC East counterparts.
The Bills marched out to a surprising 5-3 start, but they've floundered the last couple of weeks. Buffalo looks to sweep its season series with Gang Green for the first time since 2007, as well as just the second time since 1997.
The Jets, on the other hand, hope to spoil Buffalo's thin playoff hopes and continue to mount a late-season resurgence under the embattled Rex Ryan.
Click through for a full analysis and preview, as well as a final score prediction, of this Week 12 affair.
Jets' Week 10 Recap
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The Jets went into their Week 11 bye on a high note, defeating the AFC North favorite Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium for just their second win of the year.
The Jets played an almost flawless game on both sides of the ball, particularly in the first half.
Michael Vick's numbers were far from staggering, but he played efficient, turnover-free football. His 80-yard touchdown toss to T.J. Graham was perfectly placed, and it instilled confidence into the team.
Gang Green's defense was the standout unit, however.
The defense kept Ben Roethlisberger, who entered the game as the hottest quarterback on the planet, off balance for 60 minutes.
The unit forced four turnovers while also completely shutting down Pittsburgh's rushing attack.
It was an impressive performance for the previously inept Jets, and it sent shock waves throughout the league.
New York won't compete for a playoff berth, but it proved it can be a tough out in any given week.
News and Notes
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Bye, Bye Buffalo
The main focus heading into the game isn't the actual matchup, but where and when it will be played.
Buffalo was shelled by a half-dozen feet of snow this week, making it virtually impossible for anyone to move about the city.
That includes the Bills, who had to cancel practice for the second straight day on Thursday.
The conditions have forced the NFL to relocate the game to Detroit, and it will be played on Monday night, per ESPN.com.
The relocation certainly helps the Jets, as they will now be playing at a neutral field instead of the unfriendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Too Many Cornerbacks?
The Jets have had a shortage of cover men the entire season, but that might change against the Bills.
Darrin Walls, who has started a handful of games this year, is due back after a two-game absence, giving the coaching staff three possible starters this week.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York, the Jets are having a practice competition to decide the starting cornerback duo this week.
Walls will be competing with Marcus Williams and Phillip Adams, who played well opposite each other in Week 10.
Stretch Run Could Decide Rex Ryan and John Idzik's Fate
The Jets will miss the postseason for the fourth consecutive year this season, which puts the men in charge on the hot seat.
Rex Ryan needs a miracle to keep his job, while John Idzik would significantly benefit from a strong stretch run.
A late-season surge isn't out of the cards, though. The Jets' second-half schedule hardly features the array of elite quarterbacks and playoff contenders that they played in the first 10 games.
New York hosts the Dolphins and the Patriots and has road contests in Buffalo, Minnesota, Tennessee and Miami.
None of those games are gimmes, but none are unwinnable either. If Ryan can lead his troops to a 4-2 or even 5-1 finish, he may just give himself one more chance.
Injury Report
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| Player | Injury | Status |
Oday Aboushi | Shoulder | Probable |
| Antwan Barnes | Knee | Probable |
| Willie Colon | Knee | Probable |
| T.J. Graham | Neck | Probable |
| David Harris | Shoulder | Probable |
| Chris Ivory | Shoulder | Probable |
| Jaiquawn Jarrett | Calf | Questionable |
| Chris Johnson | Knee | Probable |
| Nick Mangold | Shoulder | Probable |
| Trevor Reilly | Knee | Probable |
| Greg Salas | Wrist | Probable |
| Geno Smith | Right shoulder | Probable |
| Darrin Walls | Calf | Probable |
The Jets haven't really been affected by injuries in the last couple of months after being plagued by the injury bug early on.
New York has just one player who practiced on a limited basis on Thursday—safety Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Jarrett is coming off a career day against the Steelers, recording 10 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, two pass deflections, two quarterback hits and a tackle for loss.
The former second-round pick has earned the starting job in place of the struggling Calvin Pryor, and he should continue to play well down the stretch if he can stay healthy.
Jarrett may be questionable on the injury report, but it would be surprising if he didn't suit up against the Bills.
*Injury report courtesy of the official website of the New York Jets
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X-Factor and Matchups to Watch
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Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson vs. Bills' Front Seven
The Jets possess a top-five rushing attack, but the Bills completely shut down New York's top two running backs in the first matchup.
Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson combined for just 50 yards on 16 carries in the contest, consistently getting bottled up by Buffalo's defensive front.
The Bills front, led by stars Kyle Williams, Marcel Dareus and Mario Williams, ranks in the top 10 in rush defense and constantly gives opposing offensive lines fits.
Ivory and Johnson need to find some holes in order to control the game and keep the pressure off Michael Vick and the passing attack.
Marcus Williams vs. Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins had the best game of his career in his first game against the Jets.
The star rookie receiver totaled 157 yards and a touchdown on just three catches—good for an insane 52.3 yards per reception.
The Jets secondary had no answer for the first-round pick's combination of speed and size.
Marcus Williams will most likely be matched up with Watkins on Monday, and it'll be a huge challenge for the former small-school standout.
If Williams can't contain Watkins, the Jets secondary could return to its inept ways.
Michael Vick vs. Himself
Michael Vick has done a great job of avoiding turnovers this season, especially when he's started.
However, he imploded in the second half of the 43-23 blowout against the Bills, turning it over three times and basically handing the game to Buffalo.
The Bills defense can be suffocating sometimes, as it ranks in the top 10 in both pass and run defense. The defensive front and the secondary can both force mistakes, and opposing quarterbacks often have difficulty getting comfortable against Buffalo.
Vick needs to keep his composure throughout the game and avoid committing killer mistakes, even if the Jets find themselves behind.
X-Factor of the Week: Jaiquawn Jarrett
As previously stated, Jarrett is coming off a career day in which he emerged as a playmaker in New York's defensive backfield.
Jarrett, in his first game in a starting role for New York, re-energized the secondary and helped a Jets defense that struggled to force turnovers all season look like an opportunistic unit.
The former Eagle has the ability to shift the momentum and outcome of games with his play, but he can also make mistakes in coverage.
If Jarrett can repeat his performance against the Steelers, New York's defense could be in for another fine showing.
Prediction
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The Bills have three more wins than the Jets, need this game in order to stay in the playoff race and crushed New York by 20 points at MetLife Stadium back in October.
However, I'm picking Rex Ryan and Co. to leave Ford Field with their third win of the season.
Despite what the records say, the Jets and the Bills possess relatively equal talent. On top of that, the Jets are coming off a bye and have practiced all week, while the Bills haven't even practiced yet.
That means New York should be way more prepared than Buffalo. Additionally, what should have been a home game for the Bills has turned into a neutral-site contest.
If Michael Vick can avoid turning the ball over and the secondary can repeat its performance against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense, the Jets should squeeze out a victory.
Look for Gang Green to claim a second straight win on Monday night.
Jets 20, Bills 16
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