Jets-Bills: Rusty Jets Look to Soar Against Buffalo

Three weeks ago, the New York Jets were on top of the world. Having come off back-to-back wins against the Patriots and the undefeated Titans, many began to believe that the Jets would cruise into the postseason and continue their winning streak.

All of those hopes quickly got detoured after an embarrassing loss at home to the Broncos, followed up by a miserable performance against the 49ers in California.

The all too familiar Jets had made their return after instilling premature hopes in the hearts of their fans. To make matters worse, their recent slip-up has allowed the Patriots and Dolphins (yes, I said Dolphins) to catch-up in the standings, as all three teams are now tied for first with just three weeks to play.

Fortunately for the Jets, this week's game against the Buffalo Bills could not have come at a better time, as the Bills have hit rock bottom. After being held by the 49ers to three points at home, the Bills put up the same score against the Dolphins last week in Toronto.

After winning their first four games and five of their first six, the Bills dropped six of their last seven games and haven't found the end zone since their 54-36 romp over Kansas City in Week 12.

The two teams met earlier in Week Eight, in which the Jets came into Buffalo to get their winning streak rolling. Thanks to three fumbles and two interceptions by the Bills, the Jets were able to hang on to win 26-17 to make the AFC East even tighter.

What they will need this time around is for Brett Favre to find the end zone more than once. Favre hasn't thrown a TD in the last nine quarters, making the team rely on Thomas Jones, who has been phenomenal for gang green in his second season with the team.

Jones’ next rushing TD will be his 13th and will set a new club record. He also has 14 total TDs this season, putting him in a five-way tie for the franchise mark in that category.

The Jets need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and if they win out the rest of the way, including the final game against Miami, they would clinch the AFC East by virtue of a better division record.

What they need now is a way for the defense to get some confidence back after allowing 859 yards in just two games. They cannot allow Buffalo to have wide-open looks for over 10 yards as they did in San Francisco 12 times and 11 times against Denver.

The game will be the Jets' first attempt at a "Green Out" in which all fans in attendance are asked to wear Green to throw off the Bills as the Jets look to make a push for the postseason.

My prediction: Jets 30, Buffalo 10