Some of the great quarterbacks that have played or are currently playing now seem to struggle against specific teams. With Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, he can't seem to beat the Cleveland Browns much. Even Tom Brady had his struggles against the Miami Dolphins. Josh Allen is no different in this scenario. While Allen has a winning record against the Jets, there has only been one-to-two convincing wins against them.
The Buffalo Bills (5-5) are set to host the New York Jets (4-5) in Orchard Park this week. The Jets took the first game in Week 1 where quarterback Aaron Rodgers played four snaps and then ruptured his achilles. It was the New York defense that won the game for the Jets, as they pressured Josh Allen through four quarters. The Bills are coming off back-to-back losses, but still remain in second place in the AFC East. In order for the Bills to get back to playing Buffalo football, fans will need to see a different Josh Allen. Someone who can take over the game at any point and gets the offense going early on.
Allen has played the Jets 10 times in his career and has recorded a 6-4 record against them. However, he sometimes has his worst game of the season against the Jets. This upcoming matchup is huge for not just Allen but the Bills.
Here are the three things to know about Josh Allen vs the New York Jets.
3.) Josh Allen has never been swept by the Jets
In the 2020 and 2021 season, the Bills swept the Jets with a combined score of 117-54, where the Jets scored no more than 17 points in those four games. Additionally, Allen has only turned the ball over once in that four game span. Outside of that, it has been back and forth between the Bills and the Jets.
In this season and last year, the Jets beat the Bills in the first game by no more than six points. The games have been defensive battles but the Bills have been outshined late in the fourth quarter in those games that allowed the Jets to get a sneaky win.
The Bills are facing the possibility of being swept by the Jets, and also falling below the Jets within the division. With the way the season has been going for the Bills, they need a win. At this point, whether it is a convincing win or not, all that matters is getting a win. It is more than likely that this game will be another defensive game so Allen will need to shine on offense and make one more better play in the critical times.
2.) Allen has been sacked five times in two different matchups
In ten games against the Jets, Allen has been sacked at least once in eight of those matchups. In the last three matchups against the Jets, Allen has been sacked 13 times, with two of those games being sacked 5 times. Overall, Allen has been sacked 24 times in 10 matchups by the Jets.
The offensive line for Buffalo, while it has been a significant upgrade this season, has been shaky at best throughout Allen’s career. When the offensive line has to go up against guys like Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers and even Jermaine Johnson, they are going to cause chaos at some point.
While Allen has not been sacked as much this season as compared to prior seasons, he was still sacked 5 times in the Week 1 matchup that ultimately led the offense to being limited and giving the Jets a win. In addition to Allen making the right reads in the passing game, it will be up to the offensive line to hold their ground and keep Allen clean in the pocket.
1.) Allen has more turnovers than touchdowns vs. Jets
Despite the winning record against the Jets, it goes back to winning on the defensive side of the ball because of the mistakes on the offense. Allen has more turnovers in 10 games than he does total touchdowns against the Jets.
He has 15 total touchdowns (9 passing and 6 rushing) and he has 17 turnovers (10 interceptions and 7 lost fumbles). Allen has fumbled the ball 10 times overall. Turnovers have been the theme for Allen this season, currently leading the NFL in interceptions with 11 and has thrown an interception in six consecutive games.
The question is whether or not it was the play calling by former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey or if the issue is with Allen. Either way, the true pressure now comes onto Allen in this game when he drops back in the pocket. He had four turnovers in the last meeting vs the Jets and cost them the game. That story cannot repeat this week in front of the home crowd.