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Week 6: Bills vs. Jets
The two teams at the bottom of the tight AFC East race get together in Orchard Park on Sunday. The Bills and Jets are just a game behind division leading New England. Both teams are coming off must wins at home. The Jets were reeling after losing their top two quarterbacks to injury. They pulled off an improbable win over previously undefeated Tampa Bay. The Bills helped bunch up the division by beating the Dolphins at home behind new starting quarterback Kelly Holcomb.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (2-3) vs. N.Y. Jets (2-3) |
| Place: |
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
| Television: |
CBS |
| Announcers: |
Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots |
| Spread: |
Bills by 3 |
| Series: |
Bills lead 49-40 (1-0 in playoffs) |
| Last Meeting: |
Bills 22-17 in Buffalo (2004) |
| Jets Offense: |
Rush (31st); Pass (25th); overall (29th) |
| Jets Defense: |
Rush (27th); Pass (5th); overall (8th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (12th); Pass (31st); overall (30th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (31st); Pass (1st); overall (11th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills continue to struggle with injuries. Mike Williams may be ready to return to his starting role this week. He has been suffering from a high ankle sprain. Coy Wire is questionable once again after missing two games with a thigh contusion. The status of Chris Villarrial is uncertain as he missed last week's game after going to the hospital with an abdominal illness. Roscoe Parrish has a remote chance of making his NFL debut this week, but he's probably a week or two away as he heals his broken wrist. Tim Euhus is still waiting to make his season debut. He's been out with a strained pectoral muscle but has been practicing for a couple of weeks. Takeo Spikes is out for the year after undergoing surgery for a torn Achilles Tendon.
The Jets are missing their top two quarterbacks with shoulder injuries. Chad Pennington is out for the year and Jay Fiedler with miss at least another month or two. Backup RB Derrick Blaylock is out for 6-8 weeks with a broken foot. FB B.J. Askew and LB Eric Barton are both questionable with ankle sprains.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
RB Willis McGahee vs. LB Jonathan Vilma:
In his second year Vilma is already a star. He will be keying on McGahee to stop him from having a big game.
LB London Fletcher vs. RB Curtis Martin:
Fletcher is the rock in the middle of the Bills defense with Spikes out for the year. He will be the man that has to stop Martin from having big gains. Martin is the best offensive weapon the Jets have and sure fire future hall of famer.
FS Troy Vincent vs. QB Vinny Testerverde:
This is a battle of two veterans. Testerverde will look to go deep early and often. Vincent, as the centerfielder of the defense, needs to be in position to break up big play possibilities.
CB Nate Clements vs. WR Laveranues Coles:
Clements is coming off of a huge day against the Dolphins and has a big test ahead of him in Coles who reunites with Testerverde.
WR Eric Moulds vs. CB Ty Law:
Technically Law shouldn't line up against Moulds but these two have a long history of classic battles. Look for Law to flip sides to take on Moulds who seemed rejuvenated with Holcomb at QB last week.
LT Mike Gandy vs. DE John Abraham:
Gandy needs to be on top of his game against Abraham who is an outstanding pass rusher.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: They will use their offensive strength to attack the weakness of the Jets defense. That means they will run the ball a lot with McGahee. They should have more success with it then they did last week. Look for them to keep it on the ground at least 65% of the time.
When The Jets Have The Ball: They will try to emulate what the Dolphins tried to do. They will use the long ball that has always been the forte of Testerverde. Look for them to throw deep a lot early to loosen up the Bills for the running of Martin.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
These two teams are similar. They both play solid pass defense but are weak against the run. Both teams are near the bottom of the league offensively. So this should shape up to be a low scoring, grind it out kind of game that can be over in two and a half hours. Look for the euphoria over Testerverde's first start to be over and the Jets will fall back to earth on the road. The Bills defense should be fired up to improve on some mistakes they made last week. It adds up to a low scoring Buffalo win:
Bills 13, Jets 7
Season Prediction Record: (2-3)
Season Record Against The Spread: (2-3)
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