Buffalo Is Home Away From Home For New York Jets In Season Openers 4
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 8: Center Trey Teague #70 of the Buffalo Bills flexes over the line of scrimmage during the NFL game against the New York Jets on September 8, 2002 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won in overtime 37-31. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Sunday, the New York Jets will open the 2017 season in Buffalo. Kicking off the season against their division rivals is nothing new.

Despite the fact that most experts are predicting that the New York Jets will fall flat on its face this season, there’s one thing Gang Green should be looking forward to. Their opponent in Week 1.

Sunday will mark the 12th time that the Jets have opened the season against the Buffalo Bills. An even dozen. That is the most they’ve faced any opponent to start the regular season. Going back to when they played their first game in franchise history against Buffalo in 1960, the Jets have always fared well against their division rivals.

Looking back in history, the Jets have gone 8-3 against the Bills in season-opening contests. They’ve won five in a row, going back to 1987.

Gang Green is also no stranger to opening the season in Buffalo. This will be the 10th time they’ve made the trip upstate for a Week 1 matchup.

Speaking of looking back, let’s revisit some of the most memorable season-opening matchups between the division rivals.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez #6, left, and Tim Tebow #15 of the New York Jets during pre-game warm ups before the start of their game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

2012

The Jets debut their two-headed quarterback with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. Tebow hardly sees action, but Sanchez shines, throwing for 266 yards and three touchdowns as the Jets set an Opening Day record for most points scored in a 48-28 win.

2002

Chad Morton made NFL history when he became the first player to return a kickoff for a TD in both regulation and overtime as the Jets defeated the Bills 37-31 in Drew Bledsoe’s debut.

1994

Under new head coach Pete Carroll, the Jets won for just the second time in 14 games against the Bills. Led by a great defensive effort the Jets get the Carroll era off to a great start in a 23-3 victory.

1987

Ken O’Brien threw for 276 yards and two TDs as the Jets defeated the Bills 31-28 for the seventh straight time.

1986

Wesley Walker and Ken O’Brien connected on a 71-yard TD pass to put the game away in the fourth quarter. O’Brien threw for 318 yards and three TDs in the Jets 28-24 victory.

1972

John Riggins posted his first career 100-yard rushing game and Bills QB Dennis Shaw was intercepted four times in the Jets 41-24 victory. After missing all but four games in 1971, Joe Namath returned but completed just five passes for 113 yards.

Mark Kelly covers all New York Sports and the New York Jets for ProFootballSpot.com. You can follow him on twitter @CkmagicSports. A two-time Emmy Award Winner and former ESPN Researcher, Mark’s story of surviving cancer has touched many lives. Read more about Mark here or go to CKMagicSports.com and click on KNOCKOUTCANCER.  

Mark Everett Kelly, formerly of ESPN, Mark Everett is a 2-time Emmy Winner that had to retire from ESPN in 2008 due to side effects of cancer treatment. Since then Mark has been active as a Public Speaker, Author and Blogger. He is a Sports History Expert and his speeches inspire many who fight daily setbacks to pursue their goals. Mark occassionally writes for ESNY. He is the author of "My Scars Tell A Story" which highlights his endless battle fighting the side effects of cancer treatment. He also blogs on his website, ckmagicsports.com about "Living As A Cancer Survivor". Mark also does not hide that he has a personal relationship with Jesus. He despises judgemental people and his speeches encourage and speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.