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In this year's edition, the Bills will attempt to win their second game in the AFC East this year -- a task they haven't accomplished since Chan Gailey became head coach. Not much will be on the line when Buffalo hosts the New York Jets on Sunday, but there are still some interesting facets to the game.
Most of them have to do with what will happen within the organization once the game is over and the ever-so critical week after commences.
How might it have an impact on the game? Let's take a look at that, and maybe even a look at how this game might turn out on Sunday:
1) Series Finale?
- Sunday could be the last time we see a lot of different things associated with the Buffalo Bills. After a third straight double-digit loss season, it very well could be the final time Chan Gailey is the head coach of the Bills, Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback, defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt is calling the defense and perhaps the end for the rest of the coaching staff. At this point, nothing is set in stone regarding any of those in question. Is there still a chance that this game may have some meaning for the return of any of the aforementioned names? The Bills crave continuity, but are likely torn based on some of the putrid results they've seen in 2012 especially. A changing of the guard could happen once again in Orchard Park, which means Sunday could be it for a few.
2) Sanchez attempts to recapture magic
- To say it's been a frustrating season for New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez would be a colossal understatement. Sanchez turned the ball over at an alarming rate, was benched and was seemingly zapped of all his confidence. Since facing the Bills in Week One of the season, Sanchez has thrown only 10 touchdowns to 16 interceptions and has also lost seven fumbles along the way. However, with Greg McElroy injured, Sanchez is thrust back in to the starting lineup. The game against the Bills was his best of the season, throwing for 266 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception. Against a defense that has been struggling over the past few weeks, the Jets will certainly be hoping Sanchez can recapture his Week One form as they attempt to trade him in the off-season.
3) Jets OL woes
- It was a tough day to be Greg McElroy last Sunday. He held on to the ball too long at times, but the Jets offensive line broke down continuously. The San Diego Chargers ended the day with 11 sacks on the afternoon. With the defensive line being the strength of the Buffalo defense, the Bills could be in line for a big afternoon against a unit that has to be void of confidence after last week's results. Mario Williams will get another chance to beat right tackle Austin Howard, a matchup dominated by Howard as Williams was battling a wrist injury. If the Bills are going to win this game, they need to get to Sanchez early. If he gets in to the three-step drop groove he was in during their first meeting, it could be a long afternoon for the defense once again.
4) Spiller looks for repeat performance
- Once Fred Jackson left the Jets game with an injury, C.J. Spiller took over. The exciting third-year player raised some eyebrows with his electric runs throughout the second half of the contest. Spiller ended the day with 169 rushing yards on just 14 carries. He has the type of speed and change of direction skills that will make any team struggle against him, but especially has a chance at a big day against an aggressive Jets defense.
5) Stevie vs. Cromartie
- Stevie Johnson will have a bit of a challenge as he goes up against the very talented Antonio Cromartie. The cornerback uses his supreme athleticism to stick with most wide receivers around the league, and will be entrusted to lock up Johnson throughout the game. With Donald Jones and Scott Chandler both out of the offensive game plan, a lot may rest on Johnson's ability to one-up Cromartie throughout the game. The Bills will likely be running it most of the time, but they'll need Johnson to help offset the aggressive Jets defense.
Injuries
Buffalo
OUT: S Da'Norris Searcy (groin), DE Mark Anderson (knee)
PROBABLE: G Andy Levitre (knee), HB C.J. Spiller (shoulder), TE Dorin Dickerson (ankle), CB Justin Rogers (foot), WR Marcus Easley (hamstring), S Jairus Byrd (ankle), C Eric Wood (knee), DE Mario Williams (wrist), DT Kyle Williams (ankle), LB Chris White (hamstring), LB Nick Barnett (knee)
New York Jets
OUT: CB Aaron Berry (hamstring)
DOUBTFUL: TE Dustin Keller (ankle), LB Bryan Thomas (chest), QB Greg McElroy (abdomen), WR Chaz Schilens (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Braylon Edwards (hamstring), CB Ellis Lankster (concussion)
PROBABLE: P Robert Malone (illness), LB Bart Scott (toe), DE Muhammad Wilkerson (concussion), S LaRon Landry (hamstring), DT Sione Pouha (back), HB Bilal Powell (shoulder), LB Ricky Sapp (ankle), QB Tim Tebow (ribs), G Brandon Moore (foot), QB Mark Sanchez (back), TE Jeff Cumberland (wrist), K Nick Folk (back), G Matt Slauson (knee), LB Calvin Pace (shoulder), C Nick Mangold (shoulder), LB Garrett McIntyre (elbow), DT Kenrick Ellis (knee), HB Joe McKnight (ankle)
Prediction: Bills over Jets
- Mark Sanchez will be the determining factor of this game. If he somehow recaptures his confidence and moves the ball against a beatable Bills defense, the Jets will come away with this game. However, without a true playmaker at wide receiver and no real running game threat, it's going to be a struggle for Sanchez in my opinion. His offensive line essentially folded last week, and one of the players he picked on in Week One (Stephon Gilmore) is a completely different and improved cornerback since September 9, 2012. This has all the makings of a low-scoring game, but one that I think ultimately favors the Bills.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia
- Sunday could be the last time we see a lot of different things associated with the Buffalo Bills. After a third straight double-digit loss season, it very well could be the final time Chan Gailey is the head coach of the Bills, Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback, defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt is calling the defense and perhaps the end for the rest of the coaching staff. At this point, nothing is set in stone regarding any of those in question. Is there still a chance that this game may have some meaning for the return of any of the aforementioned names? The Bills crave continuity, but are likely torn based on some of the putrid results they've seen in 2012 especially. A changing of the guard could happen once again in Orchard Park, which means Sunday could be it for a few.
2) Sanchez attempts to recapture magic
- To say it's been a frustrating season for New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez would be a colossal understatement. Sanchez turned the ball over at an alarming rate, was benched and was seemingly zapped of all his confidence. Since facing the Bills in Week One of the season, Sanchez has thrown only 10 touchdowns to 16 interceptions and has also lost seven fumbles along the way. However, with Greg McElroy injured, Sanchez is thrust back in to the starting lineup. The game against the Bills was his best of the season, throwing for 266 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception. Against a defense that has been struggling over the past few weeks, the Jets will certainly be hoping Sanchez can recapture his Week One form as they attempt to trade him in the off-season.
3) Jets OL woes
- It was a tough day to be Greg McElroy last Sunday. He held on to the ball too long at times, but the Jets offensive line broke down continuously. The San Diego Chargers ended the day with 11 sacks on the afternoon. With the defensive line being the strength of the Buffalo defense, the Bills could be in line for a big afternoon against a unit that has to be void of confidence after last week's results. Mario Williams will get another chance to beat right tackle Austin Howard, a matchup dominated by Howard as Williams was battling a wrist injury. If the Bills are going to win this game, they need to get to Sanchez early. If he gets in to the three-step drop groove he was in during their first meeting, it could be a long afternoon for the defense once again.
4) Spiller looks for repeat performance
- Once Fred Jackson left the Jets game with an injury, C.J. Spiller took over. The exciting third-year player raised some eyebrows with his electric runs throughout the second half of the contest. Spiller ended the day with 169 rushing yards on just 14 carries. He has the type of speed and change of direction skills that will make any team struggle against him, but especially has a chance at a big day against an aggressive Jets defense.
5) Stevie vs. Cromartie
- Stevie Johnson will have a bit of a challenge as he goes up against the very talented Antonio Cromartie. The cornerback uses his supreme athleticism to stick with most wide receivers around the league, and will be entrusted to lock up Johnson throughout the game. With Donald Jones and Scott Chandler both out of the offensive game plan, a lot may rest on Johnson's ability to one-up Cromartie throughout the game. The Bills will likely be running it most of the time, but they'll need Johnson to help offset the aggressive Jets defense.
Injuries
Buffalo
OUT: S Da'Norris Searcy (groin), DE Mark Anderson (knee)
PROBABLE: G Andy Levitre (knee), HB C.J. Spiller (shoulder), TE Dorin Dickerson (ankle), CB Justin Rogers (foot), WR Marcus Easley (hamstring), S Jairus Byrd (ankle), C Eric Wood (knee), DE Mario Williams (wrist), DT Kyle Williams (ankle), LB Chris White (hamstring), LB Nick Barnett (knee)
New York Jets
OUT: CB Aaron Berry (hamstring)
DOUBTFUL: TE Dustin Keller (ankle), LB Bryan Thomas (chest), QB Greg McElroy (abdomen), WR Chaz Schilens (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Braylon Edwards (hamstring), CB Ellis Lankster (concussion)
PROBABLE: P Robert Malone (illness), LB Bart Scott (toe), DE Muhammad Wilkerson (concussion), S LaRon Landry (hamstring), DT Sione Pouha (back), HB Bilal Powell (shoulder), LB Ricky Sapp (ankle), QB Tim Tebow (ribs), G Brandon Moore (foot), QB Mark Sanchez (back), TE Jeff Cumberland (wrist), K Nick Folk (back), G Matt Slauson (knee), LB Calvin Pace (shoulder), C Nick Mangold (shoulder), LB Garrett McIntyre (elbow), DT Kenrick Ellis (knee), HB Joe McKnight (ankle)
Prediction: Bills over Jets
- Mark Sanchez will be the determining factor of this game. If he somehow recaptures his confidence and moves the ball against a beatable Bills defense, the Jets will come away with this game. However, without a true playmaker at wide receiver and no real running game threat, it's going to be a struggle for Sanchez in my opinion. His offensive line essentially folded last week, and one of the players he picked on in Week One (Stephon Gilmore) is a completely different and improved cornerback since September 9, 2012. This has all the makings of a low-scoring game, but one that I think ultimately favors the Bills.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia