Week 12 Preview: Jets at Bills...Sort Of

Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bills

OUT
Jets: None

Bills: DE Jarius Wynn (knee)

DOUBTFUL
Jets: None

Bills: None

QUESTIONABLE
Jets: None

Bills: CB Ron Brooks (groin), RB Fred Jackson (groin)

PROBABLE
Jets: Every player with an injury concern is listed as probable, and has practiced in full all week

Bills: K Dan Carpenter (groin), WR Marquise Goodwin (ankle), WR Chris Hogan (hip), DE Manny Lawson (ankle), QB Kyle Orton (toe), FB Frank Summers (neck), G Kraig Urbik (shoulder), WR Sammy Watkins (groin)


My first question is, what's up with the training staff in Buffalo? There are four players listed with groin injuries. Stretch, damn it!

Tonight's game should be a fun and weird one. For the first time that I can remember, by the time the Ravens and Saints kick off at 8:30, there will be simultaneous Monday night games, and I'm ready to flip between the two.

It will also be funny to see the Bills logo at midfield and their name in the endzones of Ford Field. I wonder if the stadium is going all out and removing all references to the Lions, such as signs on the walls.

As for the game itself, there are some great matchups. The Jets have been a great rushing team all year, rushing for 4.7 yards per carry, tied for third in the NFL.

Unfortunately, the Bills have been overall one of the best defenses all year, defending the run and the pass. And even though the Jets have found a lot of success on the ground, they have been the worst passing team in the league. That will get a lot better, because that includes 7+ games of Geno Smith at the helm, and before the acquisition of Percy Harvin. Michael Vick was a lot more comfrotable as the starter in his last outing. Expect the improvements to continue.

On the other side, Buffalo will have a healthy Fred Jackson for the first time since Week 7. He tried to go a couple of weeks ago, but he was still clearly injured. That should be the best part of their offense against most teams, but up against Muhammad Wilkerson and the third ranked rushing defense in the league, it will be tough to get anything going.

Now here's the question: what about the secondary. Outside of Sammy Watkins, there isn't much for the Jets to worry about in the passing game. The last matchup between these teams was an anomaly, as the Bills were propelled by terrible quarterback play by both Smith and Vick.

Things will be different this time around, as the Jets pull out a tight one in Detroit.

Bold and Unnecessary Predictions That I'm Making Anyway

• Michael Vick will gain 275 yards, rushing and passing. 

• Fred Jackson will rush for fewer than 75 yards. 

Jets (+2.5) over Bills.

Jets 20, Bills 19.