Top 3 Individual Matchups1. Laveranues Coles vs. Terrence McGee – Both players are coming off of injuries. McGee obviously was not 100 percent last week at Miami, but feels he'll be good for Sunday. Coles is dealing with a thigh problem, but is a gamer and is very good at shielding the ball from defenders. McGee however, has had good success against the Jets in his career.
- Shaun Ellis vs. Langston Walker – Ellis has had a strong first half of the season and has at least one sack in six of his last seven games including the past four in a row. And Ellis is a big end at 6'5" 285. Walker has arguably been the team's most consistent offensive lineman.
- Calvin Pace vs. Jason Peters – Pace has been productive since coming over from Arizona in free agency. Tied for the team lead with seven tackles for loss, Pace also has six QB pressures, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Joey Porter might prove to be good prep for Jason Peters in facing Pace.
Top 2 Bills Advantages
Good Advantage – Lee Evans – Buffalo's top passing option has 408 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets in his last four games against New York, including the game winner in the second meeting last season. It wouldn't be surprising if Jets top corner Darrelle Revis is assigned to shadow Evans all day as the rest of New York's cornerback contingent is average.
Best Advantage – Home field – After being a dormant factor for some time, Buffalo has re-established its home field advantage this season. Bills fans are energized and the team responds. The team is 3-0 at home and averages 27 points a game, nearly a touchdown better than their average point total on the road.
Bills number one must
Takeaways – No other NFL team in the league has more interceptions than the Jets, but Buffalo has just one interception in their last three games. Favre could prove to be the perfect tonic as he's thrown seven picks in his last three outings. The Bills secondary has to cash in on opportunities when Favre makes unconventional decisions with the football.
Scouting Eye
Jets run plug: Since Eric Mangini has been head coach he's been searching for a true nose tackle for his 3-4 front. Kris Jenkins looks to be just what he had in mind. The three-time Pro Bowler is the chief reason why the Jets rank fourth in the league against the run allowing just over 82 yards a game on the ground. Jenkins effectively demands double team attention allowing New York's linebackers to make plays.
Stacks of sacks: The Jets haven't quite re-captured the Sack Exchange days of Gastineau, Klecko, Lyons and Salaam in the early 80's, but Shaun Ellis, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas are off to a good start. Ellis leads the team with six sacks, Thomas has 4.5 and Pace has posted 3.5. Reserve ILB David Bowens (a former DE) has three. All told New York has 24 sacks in seven games good for the third highest total in the league behind only the Giants and Pittsburgh.
Hole in the middle? Jets' leading tackler David Harris is not expected to play on Sunday. The inside linebacker is the unit's leader in the huddle and led the team in tackles as a rookie. If he can't play it would leave the Jets without one of their best run defenders. Making matters worse backup ILB Cody Spencer was plagued this week by a shoulder injury allowing him to practice on just a limited basis. If he too cannot play David Bowens would have to line up next to fellow ILB Eric Barton.
Secret weapon: Thomas Jones is New York's feature back, but the man behind him might be the most dangerous player on the roster. Leon Washington is not only a dangerous punt and kick returner for the Jets, but a versatile threat out of the offensive backfield. On the season Washington has averaged 5.7 yards per carry including a 60-yard touchdown run. He's third on the team in receptions behind the team's top two receivers and he ranks third in the league in kick return average (27.6) and fifth in the league in punt return average (13.0).
Role players: While Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery carry the passing game, the Jets are getting contributions from some up and coming role players. Rookie tight end Dustin Keller has been has been a legitimate red zone threat and operates more like a tight receiver. He has just 11 catches on the season, but a pair of those have gone for touchdowns. The other up and comer looks to be Chansi Stuckey. The second-year wideout has assumed the third receiver role and is producing as he's compiled 19 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns including the game-winner at Miami in Week 1.
Buffalo Chips
Quote of the week
"It's very important. Right now, this conference is tight. New England is playing well and New York is playing well. We just got a taste of Miami last week, so they were playing well. The division is in a dead heat. It's a very important game for us to go out and win."
--DT Marcus Stroud on importance of Jets game
Stat of the week
The Bills are one of only two AFC teams that are undefeated at home. Buffalo is 3-0 on the season and Tennessee is 4-0.
Milestones in reach
Marshawn Lynch needs two rushing touchdowns to set a new single-season career-high. He currently has six.
Rian Lindell needs 10 points or more this week to match a career-best three-game streak of scoring 10 points or more.
Final note
The Bills have won their past three games against the New York Jets. It's the longest current streak against any AFC East opponent.
