Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5). Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills (4-4) at New York Jets (5-3)
Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: NFL Network
*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
*Keys to the game: Few could have predicted that when Rex Ryan made his return to MetLife Stadium halfway through his first season with Buffalo that he would do it packing an explosive offense. Jets fans will wince watching a Ryan-led team that is healthy and featuring a powerful ground game that draws extra defenders toward the box, only to open up vertical shots to WR Sammy Watkins. Buffalo leads the NFL with 14 touchdowns of 20-plus yards and QB Tyrod Taylor is completing 72 percent of his passes.
The Jets do boast the league’s top-ranked run defense, and if they can limit the effectiveness of RBs LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams, Taylor’s mobility won’t be as big a factor. McCoy is dealing with a strained shoulder, which could leave the bulk of the backfield work to Williams.
New York is similarly balanced in that it sets the table with RB Chris Ivory and has playmaking receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. The Bills allow just 3.9 yards per carry, but their surprising flaw has been the lack of a pass rush under Ryan. Buffalo has only 13 sacks and continues to work on ways to apply more pressure. Ryan hasn’t been blitzing much, but the best way to upend the Jets is to get QB Ryan Fitzpatrick making poor decisions while under pressure.
*Matchup to watch – Bills CBs Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby vs. Decker and Marshall: Decker has a receiving touchdown in seven of his past eight games, and Marshall has 100-plus receiving yards or a touchdown catch in seven of his past eight games. Gilmore has been playing very well and Darby has held up to the constant challenge on the other side of the field as the rookie leads the NFL with 15 pass breakups.
*Player spotlight – Bills LB IK Enemkpali: He changed the course of the Jets’ season when he slugged QB Geno Smith during training camp, breaking his jaw and leading to Fitzpatrick taking command of the job. Enemkpali was released, signed by Ryan and has worked his way into the linebacker rotation, playing 35 percent of the defensive snaps last week.
*Fast facts: The Bills play five of their next six games on the road, including consecutive prime-time games (at New England in Week 11). … Fitzpatrick has 136 career touchdown passes, one shy of Sid Luckman’s (Columbia) NFL record for an Ivy League quarterback.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Thursday night games are typically difficult on the road teams, but the Bills aren’t traveling far and they are bursting with confidence now that their offensive stars are healthy. Rex Ryan gets a sweet victory in front of the Jets crowd.
*Our pick: Bills 27-23
