Despite losing back-to-back games, the New York Jets have a chance to leave Week 6 in first place within the AFC East. They will have to do that by defeating the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. They’ll also be doing it with a new head coach.
The Jets fired Robert Saleh after the team’s loss to Sam Darnold and Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. In his place will be Jeff Ulbrich, who was the defensive coordinator. To be honest, Ulbrich was to have plenty of suitors in a head coaching position after this year; now, the Jets have the ability to get a firsthand look at how he performs as a head coach, and if he’s worth keeping for the future.
Ulbrich’s first test? Josh Allen and the Bills – who have become the new dominant force in the AFC East since Tom Brady’s departure from New England. Here are the keys to this game, and how the Jets could ultimately pull off the victory in Metlife on Monday.
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills Series History
Including postseason matchups, the Jets and Bills have played each other 127 times in NFL history. Currently, the Bills lead the series with 69 wins, as opposed to the Jets’ 58 victories. However, the last two seasons have seen these teams split their respective divisional matchups.
However, most Jets fans will remember last year’s matchup on opening day. It’s a game where the team lost Aaron Rodgers after four snaps, yet New York snatched an overtime victory with a punt return touchdown from Xavier Gipson.
Hard Knocks star Xavier Gipson returns the punt for a 65-yard game-winning touchdown. #Jets pull it off without Aaron Rodgers.
WHAT. A. GAME. pic.twitter.com/g7yts5E7R0
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 12, 2023
Of course, there are other memorable matchups between these two rivals. Yet as of now, it’s the most memorable in recent history for Jets fans.
Key Players for the Jets
On offense, it’s more of a group of key players, than just one specific player who will decide the game for the Jets. That is, the offensive line.
The Jets revamped line that was supposed to perform at elite levels this year, has become anything but elite in recent weeks. Not only have they allowed constant pressure to reach their quarterback, but they’ve left no running room in the Jets’ rushing attack. Considering that coach Ulbrich wants the Jets to continue to be a run-first team, the line needs to assert dominance in the trenches.
Glazer: Jets interim HC Jeff Ulbrich committed to run-heavy offense.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 13, 2024
On defense, the onus falls on the Jets’ linebackers to play a dominant game. Not only must they take away the short-to-intermediate passing lanes, but they must also stop the run game and have a consistent “spy” deterring the Bills quarterback from scrambling. Admittedly, it’s a tough ask.
Luckily for the Jets, this Bills team is quite banged up. Allen could be experiencing the side effects of a concussion from last game.
Still not too happy seeing this and knowing they let Josh back into the game. The same shit we say about Tua should apply here. Player safety should be first. The win is secondary.
How in the world do you expect me to believe this is an ankle injury?!
— Jefe (@JSpenceTheKing) October 7, 2024
On top of that, James Cook, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel are all listed as questionable entering this matchup. If the Jets can contain Dalton Kincaid, it will force inexperienced players into vital roles; and that should play into the favor of New York.
Key Players for the Bills
Expecting the Bills to have to try and beat the Jets deep, there’s really only one player (outside of Josh Allen) who is a key player on Buffalo’s offense. For this game, that is rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman.
Coleman has been somewhat invisible on the Bills offense this season. He only has 16 targets, converting nine of them for catches with 175 yards and two touchdowns. Part of that may be due to a lack of separation, as Coleman is fourth-worst among all qualifying receivers in the NFL right now. Unfortunately for him, the Jets have one of the better secondaries in the league. With that said, it’ll be up to Coleman to make big plays in a banged up offense if the Bills want a chance to win.
On defense, it comes down to the Bills pass rush wreaking havoc for Rodgers and the Jets offensive line. Greg Rousseau and Von Miller each have three sacks on the season. Rousseau specifically has been great this season, as his 18.0 pass rush win rate ranks 12th among qualifying edge defenders, per PFF. On top of that, they have a unique rookie lineman in Javon Solomon (someone I wanted the Jets to draft), who can cause trouble along the interior.
If the Bills want to win, they must create plenty of pressure, and force the Jets’ 40-year old quarterback to be operating on all cylinders.
Keys to Victory for the Jets
Establish the Run
One thing is certain, the Jets can’t have Aaron Rodgers attempting 54 passes in back-to-back games. While utilizing motion and being creative with play calls are important, New York must establish the run in this game. The team has to be able to get push inside the trenches, creating space for Breece Hall and Braelon Allen to operate.
Entering Week 6, the Jets have the second-worst yards per carry in the NFL. On top of that, their 24 rushing first downs are third-least in the league. To put it simply, the rushing attack has not been good; yet it will need to be if the Jets expect to win on Monday.
Contain Josh Allen
Let’s not mince words; the Bills quarterback is a unicorn among those in the league. Whether it’s running or passing the ball, Allen has shown an ability to create something out of nothing. In essence, he’s a magician on the football field, and the Jets defense must be prepared for any and every thing that comes their way in this matchup.
Whether the New York decides to put a spy on the quarterback to contain him, or the Jets utilize pressure in a way they haven’t before, he is the x-factor that will decide Buffalo’s ultimate fate in this game.
