Week 17: Bills vs. Jets
at
Sunday, Jan. 3rd
1:00pm ET
There is plenty of high drama for a regular season finale that means nothing for the Bills as far as making the playoffs. Rex Ryan tries to keep his former team out of the playoffs that is led by a quarterback that was once viewed as the Bills franchise quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick makes his first trip back to the Ralph since being released by the Bills after the 2012 season. He brings his former coach in Buffalo with him as Chan Gailey coordinates the 8th ranked offense in the NFL. Some Bills are calling this their Super Bowl and no doubt Ryan wants it bad but make no mistake so does Fitzpatrick and Gailey. They likely want it more because a win gets Fitzpatrick to the playoffs for the first time his 11 year career.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (7-8) vs. N.Y. Jets (10-5)
Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 710; Sirius: 108; XM 82
Announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, and Evan Washburn
Spread: Jets by 2½
Series: Bills Lead 58-51 (Bills 1-0 in Playoffs)
Streak: Bills Won 4
Last Meeting: Bills 22-17 in New Jersey (2015)
Jets Offense: Rush (11th); Pass (11th); overall (8th)
Jets Defense: Rush (1st); Pass (16th); overall (6th)
Bills Offense: Rush (1st); Pass (27th); overall (11th)
Bills Defense: Rush (15th); Pass (23rd); overall (20th)


INJURY UPDATE

It may be easier to list who is healthy for the Bills. Three more players went on injured reserve ending their season as Marcus Easley, Charles Clay, and Ron Brooks were put on the list and ruled out. LeSean McCoy and Nigel Bradham are still on the active roster but are unlikely to play. Bacarri Rambo is really battling knee and shoulder issues so he likely won't play or if he does he will be severely limited. The team hopes to have Marcel Dareus and Ronald Darby back from their injuries. Darby is battling a groin injury while Dareus suffered a pinched nerve in his neck against Dallas.

The Jets

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

RT Jordan Mills vs. DE Muhammad Wilkerson:
Mills will have his hands full with Wilkerson who has 12 sacks on the season and has forced two fumbles. He can make a game changing play at anytime.

WR Sammy Watkins vs. DB Darelle Revis:
Watkins beat Revis deep on the first play of their last meeting but the ball was thrown slightly off the mark. This is a battle of a rising star against an aging superstar. It should be fun to watch once again.

DE Jerry Hughes vs. LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson:
Hughes has had a solid season when he isn't committing boneheaded penalties. Ferguson is one of the better blind side protectors in the league.

CB Leodis McKelvin vs. WR Brandon Marshall:
This is part of the bigger battle of the Bills banged up secondary going against a tough four wide receiver set of the Jets. If Ronald Darby can't play, or is limited, McKelvin becomes the top corner and needs to try to keep Marshall at bay, not an easy task.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Establish The Run: This is the battle of the best as the Bills bring the #1 ranked running attack against the league's top ranked run defense. The tandem of Mike Gillislee and Karlos Williams need to put up numbers to give the Bills a chance. Controlling the ball on the ground will keep a very balanced Jets offensive attack off the field.

2. Contributions From Backups: The only way the severely banged up Bills can win without 10 starters is to get significant contributions from their backups. The team has 13 players on the roster that were on practice squads earlier this year. Some of them will have to make plays for them to have a chance.

3. Pressure Fitz: The Bills really need to dial up the pressure because they are going to be very shorthanded in the secondary going up against one of the better receiving corps in the league. If they can make Fitz get rid of the ball earlier than he wants to, the secondary may hold up while possibly forcing a turnover or two.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

Both teams want the game badly but it means much more to the Jets because a win gets them into the playoffs. The Bills will try hard to win it for their coach but the bottom line is they have too many injuries to compete against a team that has won five straight games and is one of the hottest teams in the league. The Jets and Fitzpatrick are on a mission and they will complete it in Orchard Park. It's just a shame that Fitz couldn't get to the playoffs while playing for the Bills:
Jets 27, Bills 17

Season Prediction Record: (8-7)
Season Record Against The Spread: (7-8)

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