Letdown Game Dangers Abound Against Buffalo Bills

by John B on Sep 28, 2010 7:00 AM EDT

The Buffalo Bills are one of the worst teams in football. They have many more weaknesses than strengths. They so lack stability that their opening day quarterback has already been cut. What is amazing is how little optimism existed in the fan base heading into the year. No matter how dire the situation is, fans can at least usually talk themselves into believing their team can overachieve and have a good year. I'm sure we will talk with our good friend Brian Galliford of Buffalo Rumblings later in the week for confirmation of this, but I couldn't find a single Bills fan who felt like their team had a shot of being good this year before the year. That's amazing for a team with a new regime in place. Usually a new coach and GM bring unrealistic levels of optimism.

I am still afraid of this weekend's game. It's a textbook trap game. The Jets are coming off an emotional road win over a bitter rival. They have what will be a much hyped primetime game against Brett Favre after this. It would be very easy to not take the Bills seriously.

No game is a given in the NFL, though, particularly road games in the division. Familiarity is a great equalizer. As bad as the Bills are, they have played the Dolphins and Patriots, both vastly superior teams, close. I have seen too many trips to Orchard Park against allegedly inferior Bills teams end in disaster to feel overly confident heading into this one. I remember a year ago when the Bills limped into the Meadowlands. They had lost a game the previous week even after the opposing quarterback was 2 for 17 throwing the ball. Bills fans told us the game was a gimme. Six Jets interceptions later, Gang Green suffered a devastating overtime loss.

There is a good chance the Bills could have a top five Draft pick. They might even have the top pick next year. They may have weaknesses up and down the roster and a suspect coach. Their current starting quarterback might have a career passer rating of 68.6. They might be 0-3. This is still a dangerous game if the Jets overlook it.

We'll find out a lot about whether this club yet has the maturity of a champion.

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Comments

Definitely a potential let-down spot after back-to-back divisional wins

HOWEVER, I think they match up terribly against us.

Their only offense is to run the football, and we’ve been stout against the run this year.

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by Matt Birch on Sep 28, 2010 7:35 AM EDT reply actions

It would sting a bit to lose to the Bills, Anything can happen they did hang in there with Patriots. Divisional games are usually tough.

by DJ. Quillz on Sep 28, 2010 8:06 AM EDT reply actions

Revenge Game # 2

I hope the team goes there with the same mindset they had against Miami. We lost two games to Miami last year and have avenged one of them. Now its on to Orchard Park and we must avenge that 5-6 interception game that we should have won easily. They showed thay can close out a game against Miami with a depleted D so thay can surely do it against the Bills with Pace and maybe Revis back. It may be the Bills but it is still a statement game because good teams win games against inferior opponents and don’t play down to there level.

by NYC KID on Sep 28, 2010 8:59 AM EDT reply actions

I hope we still have a chip on our shoulder...

And come out to prove something. The Bills played both the Dolphins and Patriots in close games and they did so to the Patriots at Foxbourogh.

I started worrying about this game the moment we beat Miami. Had the Patriots smashed them I would probably have thought less of it.

by cult hero on Sep 28, 2010 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

History hasn't been kind.

In past years the Jets have made the mistake of overlooking the Bills and have paid the price. I can’t see Rex allowing them to do it this time. He’s unlikely to take his foot off the gas pedal and well understands the competitive nature of the division.

Every win’s critical and none should be taken for granted. Perhaps Revis will sit again to rest his injury, but I would hope that the Jets start this game with the same mindset (and result) as they did against Miami.

This is the NFL, and as the Skins found out last weekend, no team should be underestimated nor overlooked.

If nothing else, be thankful the game is being played in the early fall while talent advantages can stil be maximized before the snow and sleet evens the playing field.

by oldskooljet on Sep 28, 2010 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

Let's Not Forget About Those DBs!

Buffalo has a terrific secondary. If Mark Sanchez really wants to prove that he is not the same “interception machine” he was last year he HAS to be careful with his throws. So far we are +6 in the turnover battle – let’s try to AT LEAST have that number still in the positive by the end of the game.

by MachlinT on Sep 28, 2010 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

Not worried.

The dolphins got an early lead and settled for it they ran the ball the rest of the game. Last week it was Spiller vs Pats. We know their defnse is young and going to struggle. They might surprise someone this year but it wont be us maybe the browns lol no one is terrified of the bills. They’re playing for a top 5 pick in next years draft and they & the fans know it.

by JetsFan718 on Sep 28, 2010 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

The good thing about getting the Bills now is that the D is coming off a bad week.

I think the D will come out and snuff these guys and try to rectify what happened last week. I also look for Shonn Greene to get it going and have a good day against a bad run D.

It should be a classic Jet football day. Ground & Pound and smothering defense.

by Crackback on Sep 28, 2010 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

bills qb

Don’t underestimate the bills qb Fitzpatrick. He tourched the pats for 20-28 for 247b yds and 2 td’s, but also has 2 interceptions. Enough for the bills to can Edwards.
Another post we were wondering what this Freakinpatrick is doing different now, is the pats D that bad?
The Bills were close to sweeping us last year so I don’t see Rex having the team let down for anybody. Just show the team the tapes of last year’s 2 games.
We go get the Bills early, set the tone and we’ll be OK.

by ocjet on Sep 28, 2010 11:58 AM EDT reply actions