Following a dismantling loss to the previously winless Cleveland Browns, there's not a whole lot of optimism rolling around One Bills Drive. A failure to put a halt to an offensive skid that has yielded just 13 points in three games is really the leading example of why the Bills have lost to two straight winless franchises.
Combine that with inexperience, penalties and a host of injuries and you start to figure out just why the Buffalo Bills are 1-4 in 2009. Their opponents on Sunday, like the past two weeks, come in to the game against Buffalo on a losing streak. The New York Jets have failed to get a win since their 3-0 start, losing their last two games. Let's find out just how the Bills stack up.
Offense
The New York Jets started the season off with a flurry of offensive optimism. Starting a rookie quarterback, the Jets found some success very early on. But with the last two losses, the enthusiasm has been cut back, and the offense as a whole has not been as effective. New York ranks in the bottom half of the NFL in three offensive categories. They average 20.2 points (21st), 299.6 total yards per game (24th), and 167.6 passing yards per game (26th). But these low offensive categories have been made up for by the prevalence of the Jets' running game. The team averages 132 yards per game on the ground, the seventh best total in the league.
Quarterback: The honeymoon started as soon as rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez was named the starting quarterback. In his first three games, Sanchez threw four touchdowns to just two interceptions, leading New York to a undefeated start. But in his last two games, the rookie first round pick has struggled. Only throwing one touchdown and three interceptions, the Jets certainly have had inconsistent play from perhaps the most important position in football.
Running Back: The New York Jets are blessed with having two running backs that have been explosive when going up against opponents. The incumbent starter is Thomas Jones, who had a resurgent season in 2008. Jones is off to a great start to repeat the results this season, rushing for 271 yards and five touchdowns so far in 2009. Backing him up as more of a third down specialist, is Leon Washington. Washington has made his presence felt both running and catching the football. He has a yards per carry average of 4.1, rushing for 225 yards. In the passing attack, Washington has 12 catches for 85 yards. He's most deadly on screen plays, hitting the hole with no reservation, often times breaking off a big gain.
Wide Receiver/ Tight End: The Jets recently pulled off a trade that immediately upgrades the wide receiver position. Braylon Edwards comes to the team from Cleveland, and had quite the impact in a losing effort last week. He pulled in five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, a few of those coming in crucial situations. New York may be without their other dependable target, Jerricho Cotchery. He's listed as doubtful for Sunday, as is fellow wideout Brad Smith. That leaves David Clowney, Wallace Wright and Aundrae Allison as the other Jets' receivers. Dustin Keller has taken the tight end duties, acting more as a receiver than as a blocker. They say the tight end is a rookie quarterback's best friend, and that certainly holds some water in this instance. Keller has 12 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown.
Offensive Line: The line has been tremendous in paving the way for the running game of New York. Not just that, they've been dependable in protecting their rookie quarterback. The offensive line as a whole has allowed just 10 sacks this season. The only question mark is Damien Woody. The right tackle is listed as questionable for Sunday, which could create an advantage for the Bills' Chris Kelsay.
Defense The Jets' defense is talked about as one to be feared because of their blitz first mentality. But when you look over the statistics, the defensive unit hasn't been effective in bringing down the quarterback. The team has just four sacks in five games, an inauspicious statistic for a Rex Ryan led team. Other than that, the New York defense is solid. They allow just 17.6 points per game, the eighth best in that category. New York is also very good against the pass, allowing only 194.4 passing yards per game (also eighth best in the NFL). But if there's one area that could be exposed, it's the run defense. The Jets rank in the bottom half of the league allowing 110.4 yards per game. The run game has been the most consistent for the Bills, so they need to exploit that weakness to have a chance in this one.
Defensive Line: The player the Bills need to be most concerned with is 3-4 nose tackle Kris Jenkins. Jenkins just took over of the last time these two teams matched up with one another. Now he goes up against a couple of rookies, and has the potential to do the exact same in 2009. With defensive end Shaun Ellis questionable to play, Marques Douglas and Ropati Pitoitua will have to pick up the slack in controlling the line.
Linebackers: The linebackers are led by David Harris, the team's leading tackler. Harris has 40 total tackles this season, along with a team best two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He mans the inside along with free agent pickup Bart Scott. Scott has 33 total tackles in 2009. The outside linebackers need to provide more of a presence in the sack department. Neither starter (Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace) has a sack this season. Pace is in just his second game back after serving a four game suspension, so he'll be depended on to buck the trend of a terrible team statistic.
Defensive Backs: The secondary is perhaps the team's strongest unit. Darrelle Revis is one of the best cover cornerbacks in the NFL. The acquisition of Lito Sheppard in the offseason insured the Jets with one of the best duos in all of football. Both players have an interception this season. Dwight Lowery serves as the team's nickel back. This coming just a year after Lowery served as the team's second starting corner. At the safety positions is the always dependable Kerry Rhodes (26 tackles) and free agent pickup Jim Leonhard. Backup safety Eric Smith earns some playing time as well. You may remember Smith as the player that gave Anquan Boldin a helmet-to-helmet hit last season that required Boldin to have his mouth wired shut.
Special Teams The explosive Leon Washington handles the kickoff return obligations, averaging 25.2 yards per return. Jim Leonhard picks up the punt returning role. He returned punts during his time with Buffalo to start his career. Leonhard averages 13.7 yards per return. Kicker Jay Feely is perfect on the season, connecting on all eight opportunities. Punter Steven Weatherford averages 42.3 yards per kick, and pins the opponent inside the 20 yard line on 21.4 percent of his kicks.
History
The Jets have won two consecutive games against Buffalo. The last time the Bills won occurred on October 28, 2007 when Buffalo went in to the Meadowlands and won 13 to 3. The Bills have the advantage in the all-time series, displaying a 52-44 record.
Injuries
New York Jets: DOUBTFUL: WR Jerricho Cotchery, WR Brad Smith. QUESTIONABLE: OT Damian Woody, DE Shaun Ellis, CB Donald Strickland. PROBABLE: LB Larry Izzo, S Jim Leonhard, S Kerry Rhodes, CB Lito Sheppard, WR Wallace Wright Buffalo:OUT: LB Marcus Buggs, LB Kawika Mitchell, S Bryan Scott, OT Jonathan Scott. QUESTIONABLE: LB Keith Ellison. PROBABLE: WR Josh Reed, CB Terrence McGee, LB Paul Posluszny, S Donte Whitner, WR Roscoe Parrish
Pivotal Matchups OG Eric Wood, C Geoff Hangartner and OG Andy Levitre vs. DT Kris Jenkins
HB Marshawn Lynch and HB Fred Jackson vs. Jets' defense
CB Terrence McGee vs. QB Mark Sanchez
Final Thoughts
The Buffalo Bills come in to this contest as overwhelming underdogs. On the road, and coming off three consecutive losses where the team has only scored 20 points total, Buffalo is hurting in the worst way. Not to mention the team will be going for their first win over an AFC East opponent in nine tries. To sum it up, the Bills have a long way to go.
But if you want to look on the bright side of things, even at 1-4, the Bills are just two games behind the co-division leading New England Patriots and the New York Jets. With a win, the franchise may release a lot of local pressure from the team's fans for at least a week. But with another loss - especially if it's as discouraging as the last two - might just signal the vultures to start circling around One Bills Drive.
Hey guys. I just wanted to thank you for cheering for me all those games. I am absolutely terrible and I can't believe you gullable fans paid money to buy my #7. By the way Trent Edwards is a really good QB. Keep up the good work!!
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