This division primetime battle has a circus like atmosphere with Rex Ryan going back to the Meadowlands and the Bills facing their former QB and head coach in Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chan Gailey who runs the offense for the Jets. Lost in the shuffle of team captains, twitter battles, and reunions is that this is a very big game for both teams battling for a wild card spot. With the conference bunched up with mediocre teams this game is a very big midseason matchup.
KEY MATCHUPS
WR Sammy Watkins vs. CB Darrelle Revis:
This is the key matchup of the game. Watkins is coming off the best game of his career and now will visit Revis Island in a battle that will be watched very closely. Revis is still one of the best but may have lost a half of step so if Watkins is now going to be one of the best he should have some success.
RBs LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams vs. LBs David Harris and Demario Davis:
It's a battle of the number two ranked rushing team against the top ranked run defense. McCoy may be limited a bit with his shoulder injury but Williams is a monster with the nose for the end zone so he will pick up the slack. The Jets are very tough to run on, especially up the middle and to the left. Harris and Davis are tackling machines in the middle of a very good defense.
DB Stephon Gilmore vs. WR Brandon Marshall:
Gilmore will likely matchup more often than not against Marshall who is the main offensive weapon for Fitzpatrick.
HC Rex Ryan and LB IK Enemkpali vs. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and OC Chan Gailey:
This isn't a matchup on the field obviously but this is the big emotional battle of the game. The Bills want to win for Ryan. The Jets may be upset over Enemkpali being named a captain. Fitz and Gailey want to have their offensive show in high gear to stick it to their former team.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Keep Emotions In Check: The team wants to win for their head coach and he will be very emotional in his return to the Meadowlands. The Bills have been known to play too emotional and make too many mental mistakes. If they get overcome by their emotions this week they will lose.
2. Commit To The Run: The Jets are great against the run but the Bills can't give up on the ground game early, they need to keep pounding the rock to wear down a very good front three.
3. Get Takeways: It's obvious that the team that wins the turnover battle has a better chance of winning the game. The Bills defense has had a myriad of problems this year but what is overlooked a bit is their problem taking the football away. Turnovers come in bunches in this league if they can take the ball away a few times that could tilt the scales in what promises to be a very tough battle.
This game has a ton of juicy storylines but once the game kicks off it will come down to which team executes better. Normally for Thursday night games that is a struggle since NFL teams are really not ready to play four days after their previous game. It may come down to who wants it more. Do the Jets want to stick it to their former coach more than the Bills want to win for him?
Here is the official updated Injury Report for this week's game against the Jets. Monday and Tuesday it will just show if players practiced fully, partially, or not at all. On Wednesday the status will change to out, doubtful, questionable, and probable designations. Don't forget to scroll down to our notes section for the latest in-depth updates on the injured Bills.
Final Practice Report:
Bills: OUT: DT Kyle Williams (Knee).
QUESTIONABLE: OT Cyrus Kouandjio (Knee); OT Seantrel Henderson (Illness).
PROBABLE: DE Mario Williams (Calf); RB LeSean McCoy (Shoulder); WR Sammy Watkins (Ankle).
Jets: OUT: OL Willie Colon (Knee); DB Dion Bailey (Ankle); DB Calvin Pryor (Ankle); K Nick Folk (Right Quad-Injured Reserve).
DOUBTFUL: CB Antonio Cromartie (Quad); RB Bilal Powell (Ankle).
QUESTIONABLE: S Buster Skrine (Shoulder/hand).
PROBABLE: WR Jeremy Kerley (Illness); C Nick Mangold (Neck); WR Eric Decker (Knee); WR Brandon Marshall (Toe/ankle); RB Tommy Bohanon (Shoulder); RB Chris Ivory (Hamstring); DB Dexter McDougle (Hand/Ankle); RB Stevan Ridley (Knee); QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Left Thumb); QB Geno Smith (Left Shoulder); TE Kellen Davis (Hand).
Bills Could Be Short At Tackle Against Jets
The Bills are pretty healthy heading into tomorrow night's game at all positions except offensive tackle where they may go into the game with just two players. Cordy Glenn and Jordan Mills are the only healthy tackles. Cyrus Kouandjio and Seantrel Henderson are both listed as questionable. Kouandjio has a knee injury that cost him the Miami game. Henderson is suffering from an undisclosed medical illness. Both players missed practice time this week although the team only had walk throughs this week. LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins, and Mario Williams are listed as probable and all are expected to play. Kyle Williams has officially been ruled out. Rex Ryan addressed the media before practice Tuesday wearing a Clemson helmet. The coach continues to say while this is a big game, it isn't because he's returning to the Meadowlands. He also says he didn't circle this game on his calendar because everyone knows he circles the Patriots games. The Bills are healthier than the Jets who list 18 players on their initial injury report, including four who have been ruled out. The coach created a buzz when he announced IK Enemkpali will be a captain on Thursday night. The team swapped players on the practice squad.
KEY MATCHUPS
WR Sammy Watkins vs. CB Darrelle Revis:
This is the key matchup of the game. Watkins is coming off the best game of his career and now will visit Revis Island in a battle that will be watched very closely. Revis is still one of the best but may have lost a half of step so if Watkins is now going to be one of the best he should have some success.
RBs LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams vs. LBs David Harris and Demario Davis:
It's a battle of the number two ranked rushing team against the top ranked run defense. McCoy may be limited a bit with his shoulder injury but Williams is a monster with the nose for the end zone so he will pick up the slack. The Jets are very tough to run on, especially up the middle and to the left. Harris and Davis are tackling machines in the middle of a very good defense.
DB Stephon Gilmore vs. WR Brandon Marshall:
Gilmore will likely matchup more often than not against Marshall who is the main offensive weapon for Fitzpatrick.
HC Rex Ryan and LB IK Enemkpali vs. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and OC Chan Gailey:
This isn't a matchup on the field obviously but this is the big emotional battle of the game. The Bills want to win for Ryan. The Jets may be upset over Enemkpali being named a captain. Fitz and Gailey want to have their offensive show in high gear to stick it to their former team.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Keep Emotions In Check: The team wants to win for their head coach and he will be very emotional in his return to the Meadowlands. The Bills have been known to play too emotional and make too many mental mistakes. If they get overcome by their emotions this week they will lose.
2. Commit To The Run: The Jets are great against the run but the Bills can't give up on the ground game early, they need to keep pounding the rock to wear down a very good front three.
3. Get Takeways: It's obvious that the team that wins the turnover battle has a better chance of winning the game. The Bills defense has had a myriad of problems this year but what is overlooked a bit is their problem taking the football away. Turnovers come in bunches in this league if they can take the ball away a few times that could tilt the scales in what promises to be a very tough battle.
This game has a ton of juicy storylines but once the game kicks off it will come down to which team executes better. Normally for Thursday night games that is a struggle since NFL teams are really not ready to play four days after their previous game. It may come down to who wants it more. Do the Jets want to stick it to their former coach more than the Bills want to win for him?
Here is the official updated Injury Report for this week's game against the Jets. Monday and Tuesday it will just show if players practiced fully, partially, or not at all. On Wednesday the status will change to out, doubtful, questionable, and probable designations. Don't forget to scroll down to our notes section for the latest in-depth updates on the injured Bills.
Final Practice Report:
Bills: OUT: DT Kyle Williams (Knee).
QUESTIONABLE: OT Cyrus Kouandjio (Knee); OT Seantrel Henderson (Illness).
PROBABLE: DE Mario Williams (Calf); RB LeSean McCoy (Shoulder); WR Sammy Watkins (Ankle).
Jets: OUT: OL Willie Colon (Knee); DB Dion Bailey (Ankle); DB Calvin Pryor (Ankle); K Nick Folk (Right Quad-Injured Reserve).
DOUBTFUL: CB Antonio Cromartie (Quad); RB Bilal Powell (Ankle).
QUESTIONABLE: S Buster Skrine (Shoulder/hand).
PROBABLE: WR Jeremy Kerley (Illness); C Nick Mangold (Neck); WR Eric Decker (Knee); WR Brandon Marshall (Toe/ankle); RB Tommy Bohanon (Shoulder); RB Chris Ivory (Hamstring); DB Dexter McDougle (Hand/Ankle); RB Stevan Ridley (Knee); QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Left Thumb); QB Geno Smith (Left Shoulder); TE Kellen Davis (Hand).
Bills Could Be Short At Tackle Against Jets
The Bills are pretty healthy heading into tomorrow night's game at all positions except offensive tackle where they may go into the game with just two players. Cordy Glenn and Jordan Mills are the only healthy tackles. Cyrus Kouandjio and Seantrel Henderson are both listed as questionable. Kouandjio has a knee injury that cost him the Miami game. Henderson is suffering from an undisclosed medical illness. Both players missed practice time this week although the team only had walk throughs this week. LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins, and Mario Williams are listed as probable and all are expected to play. Kyle Williams has officially been ruled out. Rex Ryan addressed the media before practice Tuesday wearing a Clemson helmet. The coach continues to say while this is a big game, it isn't because he's returning to the Meadowlands. He also says he didn't circle this game on his calendar because everyone knows he circles the Patriots games. The Bills are healthier than the Jets who list 18 players on their initial injury report, including four who have been ruled out. The coach created a buzz when he announced IK Enemkpali will be a captain on Thursday night. The team swapped players on the practice squad.
