Connor Orr -THIS WEEK’S GAME REVOLVES AROUND ...
Santonio Holmes
It’s become apparent that when the Jets are rolling, so is Santonio Holmes. Last season during a four-game winning streak from Week 9 to Week 12, the receiver had one of the best stretches of his career. Five catches for 114 yards against the Detroit Lions, five for 76 and a game-winning touchdown against the Cleveland Browns, seven for 126 and two touchdowns (including the game-winner) against Houston and five for 44 and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. This year, he’s caught more than four passes just twice amid a period where the Jets' offense looks like a shell of itself. In order to get back on the right foot, the Jets need to torch the Bills’ banged-up secondary and make a statement heading into the final turn. And nothing will help that more than getting Holmes — who seems to have the power to ignite and infuriate a locker room all the same — in the end zone.
THE SAVVY FAN IS WATCHING ...
Kamar Aiken
With injuries depleting the Bills receiving corps, Chan Gailey said that the speedy, sure-handed rookie out of Central Florida will see some increased time this week.
PAST MEETINGS
10. Dec. 10, 2006. Bills 31, Jets 13.
9. Sept. 30, 2007 at Buffalo. Bills 17, Jets 14.
8. Oct. 28, 2007. Bills 13, Jets 3.
7. Nov. 2, 2008 at Buffalo. Jets 26, Bills 17.
6. Dec. 14, 2008. Jets 31, Bills 27.
5. Oct. 18, 2009. Bills 16, Jets 13, OT.
4. Dec. 3, 2009 at Buffalo. Jets 19, Bills 13.
3. Oct. 3, 2010 at Buffalo. Jets 38, Bills 14.
2. Jan. 2, 2011. Jets 38, Bills 7.
1. Nov. 6, 2011 at Buffalo. Jets 27, Bills 11
Remember when ...
The Jets seemed to reinvigorate their season with an emphatic 27-11 victory over the Bills three weeks ago? Ask some Jets and they define it as the game that laid out the blueprint to defeat the Bills and contain their trio of playmakers (Steve Johnson, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson). It was also a game that signified, for the moment, that they had fully returned from a troublesome three-game slump earlier in the season. Since then, though, Buffalo and the Jets have both fallen on hard times, slipping into a tie for second place in the AFC East with 5-5 records. The winner now keeps thinning playoff hopes alive for another week.
Video: Previewing the Jets against the Bills, Mark Sanchez, and the need for a win Video: Previewing the Jets against the Bills, Mark Sanchez, and the need for a win New York Jets beat writer Jenny Vrentas and Conor Orr preview the Jets game against the Bills on Sunday. The pair talk about Mark Sanchez, Plaxico Burress, and the need for the team to win games. (Video by Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger) Watch video
WHAT THE BILLS DON’T WANT THE JETS TO KNOW
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a different man now that he’s signed that hefty contract
Before the Bills signed their quarterback Fitzpatrick to a lofty six-year, $59 million deal worth $24 million in guaranteed money, he was 4-2 with a 66 percent completion rate, a 2-to-1 TD to INT ratio and a 95 QB rating. After, he’s 1-3 with a 59 percent completion rate, a 1-to-2 TD to INT ratio and a QB rating of 65.1. Again facing the Jets secondary that bullied him for four quarters, this is certainly a bad time to be reeling in the confidence department. This is especially true since the Bills could technically cut him before the seventh day of the 2012 league year and pay him nothing but his base salary — a little more than $3 million — according to ProFootballTalk.com.
2. They’re hurting at some key positions
The sting of a 35-8 thumping at the hands of the 3-7 Dolphins was made worse for the Bills when it became apparent that running back Fred Jackson (calf), cornerback Terrence McGee (knee) and No. 2 wide receiver Donald Jones, who reaggravated an ankle injury, all sustained significant, season-threatening injuries. Buffalo was a team that made a few moves to touch up their ailing roster in the offseason, but did not foresee this. Without a strong presence at cornerback, their aggressive defense needs to play a little softer. Without another deep threat, their spread offense loses the confusion it normally causes.
3. They’re more prone to turning the ball over
Maybe it’s that more good teams appear on their schedule. Maybe their confidence has taken a nose dive. Maybe teams have finally figured out the Bills' offense. Whatever the reason, their turnovers have skyrocketed over this three-game losing streak, topping out at nine. That is the same number of turnovers as they had in the first seven games of the season and an enormous reason why the team has run into some hard times. Oh, and the Jets, despite their struggles, have been surprisingly opportunistic this season, tied for ninth in the league with 13 interceptions.
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