Here’s everything you need to know—the history and the numbers—heading into the Week 1 matchup between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. Kickoff from Orchard Park, NY is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
Sunday finds the New York Jets heading upstate to Orchard Park. While getting some chicken wings would great, the team is focused on the Buffalo Bills.
History
- Last seven games in series have been played at three different venues: three at Buffalo, three at MetLife Stadium and one at Detroit’s Ford Field.
- Bills swept series in 2015, prevailing in each game by identical 22-17 scores.
- In 2016, New York Jets swept series for the first time since 2011; New York managed a 37-31 Thursday night victory in Week 2 in Orchard Park (snapping a five-game losing streak in series) and followed that with a 30-10 win in Week 16 at MetLife Stadium
- Despite last year’s win at Buffalo, Jets are 1-4 in last five road games in this rivalry dating back to 2012 (0-3 at Buffalo, 0-1 at Detroit).
New York Jets By The Numbers
- Went 5-11 in 2016 after going 10-6 in 2015.
- Scored a combined 67 points in two games vs. Bills in ’16; scored a combined 208 points in other 14 games (14.9 PPG)
- Totaled 34 turnovers in ’16 (24 turnovers in ’15)
- Allowed 30 TD passes, totaled 8 INT in ’16 (allowed 25 TD passes, totaled 18 INT in ’15)
- Totaled 14 takeaways in ‘16 (30 takeaways in ‘15)…
- Scored 275 points, 26 offensive TD in ’16 (387 points, 44 offensive TD in ’15)
- Totaled 36 takeaways in 15 wins, 8 takeaways in 17 losses dating back to ’15.
Buffalo Bills By The Numbers
- Totaled 39 sacks in ’16 (21 sacks in ’15); 9 sacks in last 7 games (30 sacks in first 9 games in ’16).
- Allowed 99 points in seven wins, allowed 279 points in nine losses in ’16.
- QB Tyrod Taylor from 2015-16: 37 TD passes, 15 turnovers (12 INT, three lost fumbles), 10 rush TD in 29 games.
- Bills are 18-36 vs. AFC East teams dating back to 2008.
Things To Look For
While the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins are the expected front runners in the AFC East, what should we make of the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills?
Both teams made massive changes to their respective rosters in the offseason. However, both teams have potentially dangerous defensive units. Each may have to carry their clubs this season, although Taylor and head coach Sean McDermott’s offense doesn’t get quite enough credit.
The home team should come away with a victory here as Todd Bowles’ squad adapts to yet another new starting signal-caller.
