The Buffalo Bills will visit the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for a crucial AFC East showdown on Monday night. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN. Both teams are looking to bounce back from recent struggles, with the Bills entering at 3-2 and the Jets at 2-3 after a tumultuous week that saw the dismissal of head coach Robert Saleh.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich will lead the Jets, while Buffalo seeks to snap a two-game losing streak and get back on track in the competitive AFC East.
Can the Jets Find New Energy Under Ulbrich?
The Jets have had a rocky start to the season, and the firing of head coach Robert Saleh has added another layer of complexity. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has acknowledged the need for improvement, both in his play and from the team as a whole. The Jets’ offense has struggled mightily, ranking 27th in total offense with just 286.6 yards per game and dead last in rushing offense.
Rodgers, who has thrown seven touchdowns and four interceptions, will need to elevate his performance to get the Jets back on track. With the offensive play-calling duties shifting to passing game coordinator Todd Downing, it remains to be seen if this change can spark a more efficient attack.
Defensively, the Jets will be led by interim coach Ulbrich, who has served as the team’s defensive coordinator. With a strong defense at his disposal, Ulbrich will look to capitalize on a Buffalo team that has shown some vulnerability in recent weeks.
Will Buffalo Rebound After Consecutive Losses?
The Bills come into this game following two tough losses, including last week’s 23-20 defeat to the Houston Texans. Quarterback Josh Allen struggled mightily in that game, completing just 9 of 30 passes for 131 yards. Despite the recent struggles, Allen remains one of the league’s top quarterbacks, and head coach Sean McDermott is confident in his ability to bounce back.
Buffalo ranks third in scoring at 28.4 points per game but has been inconsistent offensively, sitting 22nd in total offense with 299.8 yards per game. The Bills are still searching for a go-to receiver, as Khalil Shakir leads the team with 18 receptions and 230 yards, but he is questionable for this game due to an ankle injury.
On the defensive side, Buffalo will look to take advantage of New York’s struggling offense. The Bills have a solid pass rush and should be able to apply pressure on Rodgers, who has been sacked 13 times this season.
Prediction: Buffalo to Win and Cover the Spread
Buffalo comes into this game as the more complete team, and despite their recent struggles, they have the talent to get back on track against a Jets team in transition. With Aaron Rodgers and the Jets’ offense still searching for answers, look for the Bills’ defense to make things difficult for them.
Take the Bills to cover the spread and consider the under on 43.5 total points, as both teams have had offensive struggles recently and the game could be lower-scoring than expected.
