NFL Game Preview for October 3, 2010: New York Jets (-5) @ Buffalo Bills

The online sportsbook experts saw something in the Buffalo Bills when they lost to the New England Patriots in Week 3, 38-30. The NFL betting world saw a Bills team capable of putting up points against a young and inexperienced Patriots secondary. More importantly, the football betting enthusiasts saw a Buffalo Bills team capable of putting up a fight. The Bills were admirable in their effort in Foxboro, MA, and they are even more capable in the home confines of Western New York.

The New York Jets still swagger and walk as though their head coach Rex Ryan knows something the rest of the world does not. What we did see with the Jets in Week 3 is a deep receiving corps. With superstar receiver Braylon Edwards benched for the first quarter because of his DUI charge earlier in the week, quarterback Mark Sanchez had to find someone else to throw to against the Miami Dolphins.

With Edwards watching from the sideline, New York tight end Dustin Keller rose to the occasion gathering up 98 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Also helping the Jets offense was a rejuvenated LaDainian Tomlinson, who ran for 70 yards and a touchdown. Where the Jets may be in some trouble is on defense.

With Darrelle Revis nursing a leg injury, cornerback Antonio Cromartie was left as the tour guide on Revis Island. What wound up happening is Miami receiver Brandon Marshall put up 166 receiving yards and a touchdown. Without Revis, the Jets secondary has problems playing man-to-man against the other team’s receivers. The only question is whether or not the Bills have enough quality receivers to make things difficult for the Jets.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan knows that the worst thing a team can do is underestimate an opponent. Any team that can put up 30 points on the New England Patriots deserves the defensive coordinator’s full attention. The Bills offense under quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was deliberate, accurate, and progressive. The NFL picks websites did not expect the Bills to beat the Patriots, but they also did not expect the Bills to put up 30 points. Fitzpatrick looked poised in the pocket, and the Bills offensive line did its best job yet this season protecting the quarterback.

Buffalo football fans may wonder if the team has improved enough to beat the Jets in Week 4. The Buffalo Bills are absolutely capable of the upset. That is why the spread is only five points. The Jets are just inconsistent enough on defense and offense to give the Bills a shot. A few ill-advised penalties against the Jets, and the Bills could be in business.

The Bills do not have the talent to stand up to the Jets, but they have the tenacity to turn New York mistakes into points that could ruin the afternoon for Jets head coach Rex Ryan. If Darrelle Revis is healthy enough to play then that changes everything, but if he isn’t then this game will be a battle right down to the final whistle.

Pick: Buffalo Bills, 21-17