Bills vs Jets 9/9/12 - News and Notes

[YardRat]

http://nysportsnut.com/game-preview-jets-welcome-bills-to-metlife/

The Jets keep talking about being more physical and reverting back to a “Ground and Pound” team. Well, this is an excellent game for the team to make a statement. The Bills are no slouch in the trenches as they brought in the most coveted free agent this off-season, Mario Williams. He joins second year force Marcell Dareus and other free agent acquisition Mark Anderson to form a revamped defensive front. New York’s offensive line has to set the tone early and create space for Shonn Greene and company.


While Mark Sanchez needs to make plays, the offense needs to run the ball well to set up the play-action for Sanchez. Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano likes to use play-action to attack and make big plays in the passing game after he establishes the ground game. Look for rookie receiver Stephen Hill’s number to get called a few times down field, that’s why he was drafted.

[YardRat]

Sal's Six Pointshttp://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20120908/SPORTS03/309080041/Buffalo-Bills-Sal-s-Six-Points

4. How much of an impact will Tim Tebow have in the Jets’ Wildcat package? There’s been a lot of talk about how dangerous Tebow can be in that formation, but no one knows what to expect because the Jets didn’t run one Wildcat play in the preseason. Clearly, Tebow could be an ideal Wildcat, but the key to its success will be his ability to throw, and that’s something he certainly struggles with.

5. Can the Bills’ offensive line continue to protect Ryan Fitzpatrick like it did last season? Fitzpatrick was the least-sacked QB in the NFL, but as center Eric Wood said, the Bills need to cut down on the number of times Fitzpatrick gets hit. The Jets can generate a lot of heat with their aggressive packages, and the line — with rookie Cordy Glenn manning Fitzpatrick’s blind side — has to have a good day.

[YardRat]

Start Time, Odds and Free Pickhttp://pregame.com/sports/stories/b/news/archive/2012/09/09/nfl-week-1-preview_3a00_-buffalo-bills-at-new-york-jets-start-time_2c00_-odds-and-free-pick-1605321.aspx

New York will pull out all the stops this afternoon against the Bills new look 4-3 defense, unveiling the Tim Tebow Wildcat package (an approach Sparano used with occasional success during his time at Miami) as well as a more intricate passing attack than the one shown during preseason play.

It should also be noted that Sparano had success against the Bills while serving as the Dolphins head coach, posting a 5-2 record and 26.8 point per game average in the five wins.


The Jets, with Rex Ryan at the helm, have also been a major nemesis to the Bills. Buffalo scored a 16-13 win over New York in October of 2009 (Ryan’s first season with the club), but New York has won the last five meetings (4-1 against the spread) by an average of 16.2 points per contest.
Buffalo should be an improved club this season, but all sign point toward it starting the year with a loss.


Free Pick: Take the Jets -2.5 points.

[YardRat]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1327045-five-reasons-jets-fans-should-be-confident-vs-bills

5 Reasons New York Jets Fans Should Be Confident vs. Buffalo Bills
According to Bills fans and the "experts", the Jets can save their time and just stay at home on Sunday. Mario Williams already has broken the single-game sack record against the Jets woeful offensive line, Tim Tebow (http://bleacherreport.com/tim-tebow) will dress as a circus clown while running the wildcat and Mark Sanchez (http://bleacherreport.com/mark-sanchez) will be in hysterics on the sideline after Rex Ryan (http://bleacherreport.com/rex-ryan) decides to put in said circus clown.

While Rex Ryan thinks this is the best team he has had since joining the Jets in 2009, most rational people need to be convinced that Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and the rest of the Jets offense can consistently execute on offense.


Before Bills fans chalk this one up in the win column, here are five reasons why Jets fans should be confident heading into Sunday.

[YardRat]

Key Matchupshttp://www.rantsports.com/new-york-jets/2012/09/09/key-matchups-new-york-jets-buffalo-bills/

Jets NT Kenrick Ellis vs. Bills C Eric Wood

Second-year man Kenrick Ellis is being asked to fill some big shoes (http://www.rantsports.com/new-york-jets/2012/09/09/key-matchups-new-york-jets-buffalo-bills/#), as he’s expected to start in place of injured star Sione Po’uha. Ellis looked terrific at times in the preseason, but he needs to prove it for real.
Eric Wood (http://www.rantsports.com/new-york-jets/2012/09/09/key-matchups-new-york-jets-buffalo-bills/#), and the rest of the interior of the Bills’ offensive line, must contend with a stout Jets defensive line that will be anchored by Ellis in the 3-4.

If Ellis and the Jets can get good penetration in the running game and bottle up Fred Jackson, it’s going to make life pretty stressful for Ryan Fitzpatrick and company.

[YardRat]

Can Ryan Fitzpatrick Bring the Magic in Week 1?http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1327491-buffalo-bills-vs-new-york-jets-can-ryan-fitzpatrick-bring-the-magic-in-week-1

Week 1 will be the first challenge—on the road against Rex Ryan (http://bleacherreport.com/rex-ryan)’s Jets. No. 1 wide receiver Steve Johnson is officially questionable (http://espn.go.com/nfl/injuries) with groin soreness, but regardless of the situation, Fitz will need to make plays by getting his pass-catchers involved.

The Bills are much improved on paper this year. Now, they have to prove they can live up to the hype on their quest to take over the AFC East.

Doing so starts with Fitzpatrick, and all the signs point to him having his best year yet as the Bills' starting quarterback.