The Bills will have to stop an emerging Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate

This weekend, the Buffalo Bills are fortunate enough to have some of their defensive guys back that were missing back in Week 9 when the team lost to the New York Jets.

Now getting healthier, outside of the Von Miller loss, this Bills defense has played much better over the past three weeks — and they’ll need to keep that up, considering this Jets matchup is going to be far different than it was five weeks ago.

In that first matchup, where the Bills lost 20-17, it was Zach Wilson under center for New York. Since then, the Jets have made the switch to Mike White, and the offense has rallied around the veteran. Specifically, rookie wideout Garrett Wilson is much happier since the switch, and he’s been balling out.

Wilson was drafted in the first round this year and joined a star-studded rookie class in New York, which featured likely Offensive Rookie of the Year Breece Hall, prior to the running back getting hurt. Now, it’s Wilson who may be stepping into the top spot for the award.

The Bills will have to focus on stopping Garrett Wilson, first and foremost, who may be this year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Wilson started slow this season, mostly due to the quarterback issues. But, in four of his last five games, Wilson has topped 90 yards, including two games with at least 115. Just this last week against the Minnesota Vikings, Wilson put up career highs in targets (15), receptions (8) and receiving yards (162).

Since Wilson became more vocal about his frustration with the offense, he’s been far more involved. Of course, it helps that White stepped in and made the obviously great decision to throw Wilson the football.

So far this season, Wilson has caught 57 passes for 790 yards and four touchdowns. But, in his last five games, Wilson has tallied 476 of those yards. The way he’s pacing to finish the season, he’ll be well over 1,000 as a rookie and very well could take home the honor of top offensive rookie.

The Bills now have Tre’Davious White back in the fold, which will help. But, in order to keep the Jets locked down they’ll also have to generate some pass rush without Miller, whom they lost for the season.

Should the Bills avenge this loss against the Jets, they’ll continue to stay in full control of the number 1 seed in the AFC.