Week 6: Bills vs. Jets

at Sunday, Oct. 12th 4:15pm ET Stats Matchup

This may be an interesting trap game for the Bills. They are coming off an emotional, albeit inconsistent come from behind victory over the Bengals. The Jets are winless but can't be underestimated. The Jets have had two full weeks to prepare a gameplan for the Bills as they are coming off a bye. They will be fired up for this division rivalry at home. The Bills lost to the last winless team coming off of bye (Philadelphia).

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup:	Buffalo (3-2) vs. N.Y. Jets (0-4)
Place:	Giants Stadium
Television:	CBS
Announcers:	Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots
Spread:	Bills by 3
Series:	Bills lead 47-38 (Bills 1-0 in playoffs)
Last Meeting:	Jets 31-13 in New York (2002)
Jets Offense:	Rush (32nd); Pass (9th); overall (25th)
Jets Defense:	Rush (32nd); Pass (3rd); overall (24th)
Bills Offense:	Rush (31st); Pass (14th); overall (30th)
Bills Defense:	Rush (23rd); Pass (4th); overall (7th)

INJURY UPDATE

Eric Moulds may not be ready for this game after suffering a groin injury in overtime against the Bengals. Travis Henry did return against Cincinnati and will play with some pain again this week. Sammy Morris remains out with after hernia surgery but could begin practicing this week. Sam Adams sprained his ankle last week and may be questionable for the game.

The Jets continue to be without starting QB Chad Pennington who is still weeks away from returning to action after injuring his wrist in preseason. DE John Abraham isn't hurt, but may be inactive after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Bills Daily Injury Page

KEY MATCHUPS

RB Travis Henry vs. OLB Sam Cowart:
Cowart is finally healthy and will be hungry against his former team. The Jets haven't stopped the run at all this year and the Bills haven't run well. Henry needs to be able to avoid Cowart to have a big day.

CB Nate Clements vs. WR Santana Moss:
Moss moves into the starting lineup this week replacing the ineffective Curtis Conway. He's a burner, Clements needs to play better in coverage than he has the last two weeks or else the Jets could get a big play or two to Moss.

WR Josh Reed vs. CB Ray Mickens:
If Moulds doesn't go, then Reed needs to step up for the first time this year. He can beat Mickens and must if the Bills will muster any passing offense without Moulds.

DT Pat Williams vs. C Kevin Mawae:
Williams is coming off his best game of the year and may face more double teams again this week if Adams can't go or is slowed by his ankle injury. Williams needs to win those battles which won't be easy with all-pro Center Kevin Mawae on the other side of the ball. If he doesn't do well, then Curtis Martin may have a breakout week.

LT Mike Williams vs. DE Shaun Ellis:
Williams is in a sophomore slump and needs to bounce back. Ellis is a solid rusher and if Abraham doesn't play he will need to keep Ellis at bay.

LT Jonas Jennings vs. DE John Abraham:
If Abraham does play look for him to try and make a statement after his off the field problems last week. Jennings will have to be on top of his game to keep Abraham away from Drew Bledsoe.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: The Jets are dead last in the league in stopping the run. With Henry a week healthier look for the Bills to run, run, and run so more especially if the weather conditions are poor as expected. If Moulds can't go the Jets may play 8 in the box to stop the run but the Bills can't be deterred, they must continue to run to open up play action passing game against a good pass defense. When they do go to the air Reed needs to step up.

When The Jets Have The Ball: The Jets are also dead last running the football, they have had two weeks to prepare and may have ditched the West Coast Offense that Vinny Testerverde isn't suited for. Look for the Jets to come out with a vertical passing attack that will loosen up the Bills defense to get some running lanes for Curtis Martin.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Bills continue to struggle and the Jets are a well coached team that will not run for the bus. They will be fired up for this home battle and it is really hard for a team to lose its first five games of the year. We hate to say this, but we smell upset. The Bills barely escaped in upset at home last week, it will be tougher on the road to escape, especially if they don't play better than they have the past three weeks:
Jets 17, Bills 16

Season Prediction Record: (3-2)
Season Record Against The Spread: (3-2)

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