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Jets at Bills: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Anthony Dixon (26) runs with the ball as New York Jets linebacker Erin Henderson (58) defends during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Anthony Dixon (26) runs with the ball as New York Jets linebacker Erin Henderson (58) defends during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Bills host the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. Here is the game preview, the betting odds, and a prediction of the score.

The Buffalo Bills will play their AFC East rival in the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football to begin Week 2. Both teams enter Thursday night’s matchup with an 0-1 record. Neither team can afford to begin the year down 0-2 in the AFC East.

Kickoff from New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York will be at 8:25 PM ET on Thursday, September 15th. CBS, the NFL Network, and Twitter will have coverage of this AFC East rivalry game.

According to OddsShark.com, the Jets will be a one-point favorite on the road in Buffalo. New York was also a one-point favorite in Week 1’s home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-22.

Odds

Point Spread: New York -1
Moneyline: Buffalo -105, New York -115
Over/Under: 40.5

A short week and a rivalry game accounts for a low point spread. New York is probably the better team on paper, but all the betting trends favor the Bills in this game.

Buffalo has won its last five games against New York and six of its last seven. The Bills haven’t started a season 0-2 since 2010 when current Jets signal caller Ryan Fitzpatrick was Buffalo’s starting quarterback. That Bills started the year out 0-8 before finishing up at 4-12. This was a pick ’em earlier in the week. Take the Bills getting points at home.

The last two head-to-head meetings between these AFC East rivals had final scores of 22-17 Bills. That means 39 points were scored in the last two Bills/Jets games. A short week, bitter rivals, and inconsistent quarterback play means go with the under in this one.

This is going to be an ugly game, ideal for two defensive-minded head coaches like Todd Bowles and Rex Ryan. It is a must-win game for both teams, but for different reasons. For New York, the Jets’ first six games are brutal. An 0-2 start might be too big of a hole to reach the 2016 AFC Playoffs.

For Buffalo, Ryan is on the hot seat. His team is not buttoned-up. Players are missing busses to road games. Key players on both sides of the ball kept getting hurt this preseason. The front office spent a ton of money on quarterback Tyrod Taylor that totaled seven points against his former team in the Ravens last week. Ryan and the Bills need a win badly.

Fitzpatrick and Taylor will essentially cancel each other out in this game. Both teams will get in the end zone only once on offense. The kicking game will be a prevalent part in this defensive battle. A low-scoring affair should favor both teams, but all the trends favor the Bills in this one.

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Ryan will draw up a great late fourth quarter blitz to pick off Fitzpatrick deep in Bills territory to seal the deal for Buffalo. The Bills move to 1-1 as the Jets stumble to 0-2.

Pick: Bills 18, Jets 16

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