This Sunday’s Week 17 matchup will be the home finale for the regular season for the Buffalo Bills. After taking down the New England Patriots this past weekend, they will set their sights on the New York Jets who they defeated back in Week 6. Had it not been for a end-of-first-half Hail Mary completion from Aaron Rodgers to Allen Lazard, the Bills more than likely would have won by more than three points. Nonetheless, getting the win is the main goal.
Even though the Bills are guaranteed to host a playoff game, they don’t have many games left at home. If they can win this game, they will have gone on to stay undefeated at home in the regular season.
The last time these two teams met, the Bills managed to sack Aaron Rodgers three times, with defensive end A.J. Epenesa being responsible for two of them. Heading into this next game, the Bills’ defensive line will have even more opportunities to pressure and get to Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers may be without a big protector vs. Bills
Rookie offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, who has been solid for for the Jets this season, went down with a foot injury in yesterday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
According to Rich Cimini, the initial fear was that Fashanu went down with a potential achilles injury, but it was just a foot injury. In hindsight, the Jets avoided a major devastating loss but there could be a high chance that they will be without their standout offensive tackle against the Bills.
It’s not the Achilles, I’m told. It’s a foot injury. https://t.co/qeSjXjFQeV
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 22, 2024
Rodgers has been sacked 33 times this year and in every game this season. Never once he has he went 100% protected. Buffalo’s defense has recorded 34 sacks this year which is in the middle of the pack in the league. This unit has heavily struggled over the last three weeks and now they will have to find a way to beat an Aaron Rodgers-led team that has nothing left to lose this season.
Whether it’s Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, or Von Miller, Buffalo needs to generate a consistent pass-rush against Rodgers and the Jets potentially not having Fashanu to protect could play as a major factor. The Bills host the Jets this coming Sunday and will be looking to get win No. 13 on the year and sweep the Jets in doing so.