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Week 14: Bills vs. Jets
The Bills and Jets entered this season in similar situations, they were both in the same division with new coaches trying to rebuild. The Bills have done slightly better then most have expected winning five of their first 12 games. The Jets have far exceeded expectations and are in the thick of the playoff race. This game is a rematch of week 3 when the Bills had their best offensive output in the season but turnovers did them in and the Jets left Buffalo with a win. This week the Bills look to start the building process for next year and play spoiler in the process.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (5-7) vs. N.Y. Jets (7-5) |
| Place: |
The Meadowlands |
| Television: |
CBS |
| Announcers: |
Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots |
| Spread: |
Jets by 3½ |
| Series: |
Bills lead 50-42 (Bills 1-0 in playoffs) |
| Streak: |
Jets Won 2 |
| Last Meeting: |
Jets 28-20 in Buffalo (2006) |
| Jets Offense: |
Rush (17th); Pass (20th); overall (24th) |
| Jets Defense: |
Rush (27th); Pass (20th); overall (27th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (29th); Pass (30th); overall (31st) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (29th); Pass (11th); overall (20th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills will be without Angelo Crowell who was lost for the rest of the year against San Diego with a broken bone in his leg. They may also be without Terrence McGee who injured his ankle against the Chargers and missed the second half of that game.
The Jets appear very healthy. Many players have the usual bumps and bruises that happen this time of year but all of them played last week in Green Bay.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
RB Willis McGahee vs. LBs Jonathan Vilma and Eric Barton:
McGahee has four 100 yard games in four career starts against the Jets including a career high 150 yards in this year's earlier matchup. McGahee will be looking to put his 1.6 yard per carry game against San Diego behind him and he has a good chance at doing that this week.
QB J.P. Losman vs. FS Kerry Rhodes:
Losman will have to watch out for this playmaker. In the first meeting Rhodes was all over the place. He forced a fumble, had 10 tackles and a sack. If he can duplicate that game the Bills could be in trouble.
LBs Coy Wire or Keith Ellison vs. RB Cedric Houston:
With Crowell out, Wire and Ellison will be pressed into service. The Jets may have finally found their running back as Houston is coming off a 105 yard effort in Green Bay. He may split time with Leon Washington who is more of a scat back which could be a break for the Bills as they are smaller and faster as well.
CB Nate Clements vs. WR Laveraneus Coles:
Clements has been playing very well as of late and is back to being the lockdown franchise corner the Bills have known. Coles is the biggest offensive weapon the Jets have, so if Clements can shut him down that will help the Bills chances.
WR Lee Evans vs. CB Drew Coleman:
Evans needs to have a big game when the Bills go to the air and has a favorable matchup against Coleman.
DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson:
Schobel is having a very good year and looks to put up some good numbers against Ferguson who is a developing star for the Jets.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills will try to do what they normally do against the Jets. Run as much as possible. They have had a lot of success running against a weak Jets run defense. The more they run successfully, the more pressure will be taken off of Losman.
When The Jets Have The Ball: The Jets will do what everyone else does against the Bills. They will run as much as possible as well. They will use the one-two punch of Houston and Washington to beat the Bills. Running back combinations have done well against the Bills this year.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
The Bills match up fairly well with the Jets and should have some confidence after coming close against the Chargers. They also know they can beat the Jets because they beat themselves back in September against New York. The Bills have nothing to lose and the Jets have everything to gain with a win as the playoffs loom large. If the Bills can avoid the big turnover, look for them to play the spoiler:
Bills 20, Jets 17
Season Prediction Record: (7-5)
Season Record Against The Spread: (5-7)
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