NFL Week 17 Preview: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

The New York Jets (6-9) chaotic circus season finally comes to an end after one final game against the Buffalo Bills (5-10). Like every other team this week, the Jets are playing a divisional game and unfortunately this one only matters to draft position. It will be interesting to see if the Jets even care a little about this game. The Bills are at home and will want avenge their season-opening loss to the Jets so they will definitely bring it. New York Offense vs. Buffalo Defense This has been a mess of a season as the Jets turn back to Mark Sanchez at quarterback after he was benched and failed to start a game since an injury kept him out of one his rookie season. This couldn’t have been more of  mismatch in the season opener, but the Jets have possibly sunk even lower than Buffalo at this point. The Jets have lost two in a row and are averaging a pathetic 14 point-per-game over their past five contests. Sanchez has played in four of those five games and he threw just two touchdown passes to his eight interceptions, and and I don’t even know if a Buffalo defense that has allowed 89 points in their previous three games can cure this dreadful passing attack. Thankfully for Mark Sanchez, Shonn Greene and Bilal Powell, the Bills are dead last in the league in run defense, allowing an abysmal 146.7 yards-per-game. The Jets should run the heck out of the ball to accomplish a few things: Not allow Sanchez to embarrass them in the final game of the season, Keep the clock running and get the game over with as soon as possible, Pad statistics; Greene is only 11 yards away from cracking 1,000 for the second consecutive season. Of course, now that we know this Sanchez will likely attempt 35-plus passes. I still haven’t been able to get a gauge of Jets fan as to whether or not you all believe in losing on purpose. While I would love a higher draft pick, I firmly stand by former coach Herman Edwards, “You play to win the game.” The Jets are awful and who knows how the offense will respond to Sanchez returning to quarterback. Of course the Bills are just as bad and this game is just a battle for last in the AFC East. Edge: Even Buffalo Offense vs. New York Defense Ryan Fitzpatrick has quietly had a solid season even though there is speculation he could be on his way out of Buffalo, so this game could likely be an audition. Fitzpatrick likely won’t have much luck against second best pass defense in the league as most of his yardage and touchdowns came in garbage time the last time these teams met. The Jets defense was the one part of the team I expected to show up when no one else did, so after they didn’t show up last week I have doubts they will this week. However, the defensive line has vastly improved throughout the course of the season. The young rushers Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples have really shown that they could be forces on this line for years to come. Buffalo has allowed 10 sacks over the past three games so penetration will be a key to stopping the Bills. We all know what C.J. Spiller is capable of so the penetration will be helpful if they can disrupt Spiller from getting to the outside. Against the 10th and 11th best run defenses Spiller averaged over six yard-per-carry. The Bills love to get him in space and the lack of speed in the Jets defense will be a problem if they can’t contain the elusive running back. Both defenses are in a similar situation, the odds are that they will give up a lot on the ground and not as much through the air. Edge: Even Special Teams The Jets continue to fall apart as they allowed a punt return touchdown against the Chargers, and at this point who knows how they can continue to shoot themselves in the foot. The Bills have always had a decent kicking game behind Rian Lindell and I would give this edge to any team in the league over the Jets. Edge: Bills Fantasy Outlook All of your leagues should be over by now, but by the slim chance your championship is this week: good luck! Obvious Starts: RB: C.J. Spiller, Shonn Greene DEF: Jets I’d Rather Not Starts: WR: Stevie Johnson, Jeremy Kerley DEF: Bills Hit or Miss Fantasy Start of the Week RB: Bilal Powell Notes: Powell often splits carries with Greene and it might be worth starting him if you need someone because of how much the Jets should run. This should be an overall good day for running backs and hopefully you don’t own anybody in the passing game. Prediction: New York Jets 20 Buffalo Bills (-3.5) 24 I just don’t see how the Jets get up to play this one. They have nothing to play for and Greg McElroy is out. Tim Tebow probably won’t play either and the offense looks uninspired with Sanchez at the helm. The Bills are bad enough for the Jets to score some points but good enough to pull out a win over a team that doesn’t care.  I highly recommend tuning into one of the more interesting match-ups of the day, one with playoff implications. Rodgers That   Follow Dan Rodgers on Twitter: @dhrodgers52 Stats and information courtesy of ESPN.com