The Jets lost Kris Jenkins in the first game, leaving a void on the defensive line for the rest of the year. The defense really stepped up in games against teams with powerful running attacks like Miami and Carolina. The Bills aren't on the same level. They're averaging a pedestrian 4.1 per run and only gain 104.6 per game, not terrible but on the bottom half of the NFL.
Fred Jackson is now the starter for the Bills. He's more dangerous than Marshawn Lynch. Think of him as Leon Washington to Lynch's Thomas Jones. Jackson is very quick, capable of making guys miss in space, and a threat as a pass catcher out of the backfield. His 4.2 average per carry is over a yard better than that of Lynch, who started his year suspended and never really got things going.
A good chunk of the blame should go on the run blocking. Lynch is good at hitting holes. Buffalo has been terrible at opening them. The Bills tried to revamp their offensive line during the offseason. lnjuries have played a role, but even without them things have looked bad. Geoff Hartinger was supposed to bring veteran stability to the center positon. His play has been uneven. Rookie guard Eric Wood was doing well, but he's on IR, replaced by unremarkable Kirk Chambers. Other rookie guard Andy Levitre has gone through ups and a lot of downs. Tackles Jonathan Scott and Demetrius Bell have been flagged a combined 15 times in 12 combined starts. Bell will sit this one out with a knee injury, leaving Jamon Meredith likely in his place. We all know the Jets don't have many playmakers on the line, but this matchup is a favorable one.