PLAYER NOTES
–QB Josh Allen is now being called day-to-day by head coach Sean McDermott as he tries to get back from an elbow injury that has caused him to miss three games. Still, it’s unlikely he’ll play Sunday against the Jets.
–QB Derek Anderson remains sidelined by a concussion, did not practice Wednesday, and is probably not going to play Sunday, meaning another week of Nathan Peterman.
–RB Chris Ivory suffered a shoulder injury Sunday and he did not practice Wednesday. His status will likely be questionable as the week progresses.
–DE Trent Murphy remains out with a knee injury and did not practice.
–LB Tremaine Edmunds is still in concussion protocol, though he did participate on a limited basis Wednesday.
–WR Kelvin Benjamin was limited with a knee problem Wednesday.
–WR Andre Holmes is nursing a sore neck and he had to be limited at practice Wednesday.
–TE Charles Clay suffered a hamstring injury and he was not able to practice Wednesday.
–CB Levi Wallace was elevated from the practice squad to take the roster spot of CB Phillip Gaines who was cut. Gaines was leading the NFL in penalty yards.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: LB Lorenzo Alexander. At 35-years-old, he is tied for the oldest player on the team, yet Alexander has been one of the Bills’ best performers. He is tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks, ranks fifth in tackles with 32, and he has an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. All that on only 52.5 percent of the defensive snaps. Alexander is in the final year of his contract, but the way he has played, the contributions he makes on special teams (he has played 41.7 percent of all kicking team snaps) and the leadership he provides, the Bills would be wise to re-sign him next season to a one- or a two-year deal.
GAME PLAN: It looks like it’s going to be Nathan Peterman again at quarterback for the Bills, and that generally means trouble for an offense that is completely inept, even when Peterman doesn’t play. At least the Bills will have a chance because the Jets haven’t exactly been lighting the world on fire on offense with rookie quarterback Sam Darnold struggling mightily. Buffalo’s running game has been a major problem with LeSean McCoy in an epic three-game slide with 24 yards on his last 24 carries, and now, Chris Ivory may not be able to play with a shoulder injury, so look for the Bills to throw against a defense that has not rushed the passer very well.
On defense, the Bills jumped to third in the NFL in yards and yards per play allowed, but it is certainly hollow when they also rank 26th in points allowed, 20th on third down, and 20th in interception percentage. However, the Jets are having a tough time scoring. In their six losses to Miami, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Chicago and Miami again, they have averaged just 12.3 points per game and have not scored more than 17. With Darnold unlikely to play due to a foot sprain, the Jets will probably turn to veteran Josh McCown. Given that development, the Jets will most likely try to feed running back Isaiah Crowell, who is averaging 5.0 yards per attempt.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Bills RTs vs. Jets DE Leonard Williams. Last week, the Bills rotated Jordan Mills and Jeremiah Sirles at right tackle because Mills has played terribly, though he’s not alone. They also rotated Vlad Ducasse and Wyatt Teller at left guard. Whoever plays right tackle, they will have their hands full with Williams who has three sacks and a team-high 11 QB hits.
–Bills LB Matt Milano vs. Jets RB Isaiah Crowell. With Sam Darnold expected to miss the game, and RB Bilal Powell out for the year, Crowell becomes a major part of the Jets offense and they will try to get him involved early and often. Milano may not have injured LB Tremaine Edmunds next to him again, so the burden will fall to him to help keep Crowell contained at the second level and not allow him to break away.
