For Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall and the New York Jets, only Rex Ryan and his Buffalo Bills stand in their way of the NFL Playoffs.
By Paul Newbold
The New York Jets are getting ready to take on another divisional rival in the Buffalo Bills. It will be their first game in the New Year and Jets fans are hoping it is not their last.
They’ll be on the road this week, traveling north to Orchard Park NY to play the Buffalo Bills. In the first meeting of these two teams back in November the Jets embarrassed themselves while losing 22-17 to the Bills.
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That game was played in front of the MetLife faithful and it was a turnover mess. Devin Smith and Chris Ivory both lost a fumble to the Bills. The two fumbles cost the Jets dearly as the Bills jumped on their opportunities and turned them into points.
Ryan Fitzpatrick had a poor game against the Bills as well. Fitzpatrick ended the ugly affair going 15-of-34 for 193 yards. He produced two touchdowns on the day, but also posted two interceptions. It was an ugly day for the home town crowd and the Jets heard more then a few boos from their fans.
That being said, these two teams are not the same football teams who met back in November.
Since the last meeting the Jets have posted a 5-1 record while the Bills haven’t fared so well, posting a 2-4 record. The Bills are a talented team, but have only managed to put two wins together once all year.
This a game of two teams heading in two different directions. Regardless of what the Bills do on Sunday against the Jets, their football team is headed home to watch the post season on television. While the Jets, with a win get to play further into January. The Bills ended a two game loosing streak with a win over Dallas last week, while the Jets are on a five game win streak.
Make no mistake, the Bills may have nothing to play for in this game, but Rex Ryan would love nothing more then to spoil the Jets playoff hopes. Ryan is under fire up in Buffalo and a win against the Jets might mean the difference between him returning next year to coach the Bills. Buffalo fans had high expectations for this season and they a pointing their fingers at Rex Ryan for the teams 7-8 season to this point. A .500 record looks a lot better then 7-9.
The Jets on the other hand have all the motivation in the world. If they can win against the Bills, they will be in the playoffs. Todd Bowles has his team firing on all cylinders and the Jets have grown into a playoff caliber team as the season has progressed.
This game is huge for the Jet team and their fan base. A win puts them in the playoffs, but there is more to this game. The Jets have an opportunity to not only even the score with Rex Ryan and the Bills, but to send a message to the rest of the AFC. With a big win over the Bills, the Jets will put everyone in the AFC playoffs on notice. The Jets will benefit hugely from a big win.
Here’s how they can get it:
