The Buffalo Bills are riding high. They have the division clinched, the number two seed in the AFC playoffs is probably likely, pending the Kansas City Chiefs losing the final two games of the season. The Bills also finish the season with two divisional games against teams that are only competing for draft position. But, in typical Bills fashion there is so much to worry about.
Josh Allen hurt his right hand and was seen favoring the injury on the sidelines. Allen was already playing through a broken left hand since Week 1. The defense has also seen a rash of injuries in recent weeks. Playing short handed for the last three weeks plus with injuries to Matt Milano, Taylor Rapp, and Damar Hamlin to name a few.
Perhaps injuries are playing a bigger part than what is really being stated but in the last three games the Bills defense have given up 452 total yards per game. Even with Josh Allen going from Clark Kent to Superman this is troubling news for a team with renewed Super Bowl aspirations, trying to dethrone the reigning, defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Luckily, the Patriots made mistakes and the Bills capitalized and got out with a win but now the New York Jets come to town this week and while they have nothing to play for, they seemingly give the Bills issues and losing a game at this point in the season would be detrimental to the Bills hopes of a number one seed.
3 Massive concerns for the Bills in Week 17 vs New York Jets
Jets passing attack can hurt the Bills wounded secondary
In the last three games the Jets have averaged 374.3 yards per game on offense which includes 280 yards per game through the air. Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson are a great tandem at wide receiver and can absolutely hurt a depleted secondary the Bills have. Taylor Rapp, Rasul Douglas, Damar Hamlin, and Matt Milano being injured is not a promising outlook for a Bills team, ranked 27th against the pass and needing to win to keep pace in the AFC playoff standings. The Bills are going to need way more out of their pass rush to keep the lowly Jets down and out.
Finding what works and keep it going
The Jets defense is ranked 5th against the pass and 16th against the run. Based on the information alone, James Cook should be an integral part of the gameplan this week. James Cook did not play in the first meeting in the Meadowlands. However, Ray Davis had a great day with 97 yards rushing and 55 receiving. James Cook could have this kind of success if not more but the Bills need to keep the Jets offense off the field and then James Cook can shine and grind the Jets down.
Josh Allen’s health is the top priority
A broken left hand since Week 1 that has since healed now another injury to his throwing hand/elbow. Getting Josh Allen through this game as healthy as possible means James Cook, Ray Davis, and anyone else that can run the ball needs to as long as Josh Allen doesn’t, at least not a lot. The Bills cannot afford Josh Allen to miss any time with a possibility of getting a number one seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. It might not be pretty and the MVP odds might be effected but health is more important that stats and a win is what the Bills need the most.