New York was given a late Christmas gift by the Patriots on the overtime coin flip, which the Jets turned into six points and a victory while never letting Tom Brady touch the football in the extra session. The Jets can now turn that into their first playoff appearance since 2010, but standing in their way is former boss Rex Ryan, who already has one win over his former team this season.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Buffalo Bills 0
New York Jets 0
Over/Under 44
ODDS ANALYSIS
New York is on a roll going 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS in its last five games to be in position for its first playoff appearance since 2010. All they need is a win over the Bills, who won on the road earlier this season covering the spread as 2.5-point dogs. The Jets are getting plenty of action with the line wagered from a pick em to New York -3. The total dipped slightly to 42.5.
KEY INJURIES
Kenbrell Thompkins – The Jets’ backup receiver appeared to dodge serious injury, when he was carted off the field with a calf injury. He received treatment on the sideline and returned to play in the overtime period.
Marcel Dareus – Buffalo’s defensive tackle was pulled from Sunday’s game with what was initially described as a shoulder injury. It was revealed after the game Dareus has an issue with his neck that caused him to lose feeling in his hands and his status for the Jets is uncertain. Stefan Charles replaced him.
Marcus Easley – Was carted off the field with his leg immobilized after being hurt covering a punt on Sunday. The Bills backup receiver and special teams ace isn’t likely to play against the Jets.
KEY MISMATCH
Even without LeSean McCoy, Buffalo’s ground-and-pound attack continued to rumble along. Running backs Mike Gillislee and Karlos Williams, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor combined for 236 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Bills’ 16-6 win over Dallas. Buffalo entered the game first in the NFL in total rushing and yards per carry, but much of that production had come from McCoy, who injured his knee the previous game. Gillislee, who had carried the ball in just one game before the Bills signed him off the practice squad four weeks ago, rushed for 93 yards on nine carries and sealed the win with a 50-yards touchdown with less than three minutes to play. Taylor added 67 yards on 17 carries and cemented his status as the best running quarterback in team history by breaking Doug Flutie’s franchise record for rushing yards in a season. The Bills have a formula for victory in their running game. They are 7-0 this season when they have more runs than pass plays.
KEY STAT
21.0 – New York’s quarterback sacks allowed. The Jets have allowed the second-fewest sacks and face Buffalo’s defense that ranks 31st in getting to the quarterback.
BETTING ANGLE
The Jets are in control of their playoff destiny thanks to their 26-20 overtime win over New England and Baltimore’s upset of the Steelers. If the Jets win this week against their old pal and former coach Rex Ryan’s Buffalo Bills, New York is headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. It won’t be easy, though. The Bills have already been eliminated from the playoff race, extending the longest drought in the NFL to 16 seasons, but they are motivated against their division rival. Buffalo upended the Jets, 22-17, in Week 10 when Ryan made his first trip back to his old stomping grounds. And the chance to affect the postseason picture is motivating Bills’ guard Richie Incognito. “This will be a playoff game for us,” he said.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Plenty of intriguing storylines surround this matchup, none more important to the Jets than a possible playoff berth. New York controls its situation and a win over the Bills gets them in the postseason. A loss doesn’t eliminate them, but the Jets need help from others in that scenario. Ryan and the Bills would like nothing more than to knock off the coach’s former team and eliminate them from contention. Some Buffalo players are calling this a playoff game and their Super Bowl, so there will be plenty of fight in the Bills. Of course they lacked that spirit most of the season and were unable to make good on Ryan’s postseason promise from the beginning of the year. Buffalo’s run game will make the Jets work, but New York is solid in run defense and should be able to limit the damage. Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and receiver Brandon Marshall have led New York’s offense all season, and with a chance to participate in the postseason for the first time so close, expect the pair to come up with a few big plays to get the Jets in.
New York 24, Buffalo 18
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