With the Kansas City Chiefs locking up the one seed on Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills look to take the two-seed with a win over the New York Jets. The Jets have had an abysmal year, sitting at 4-11 on the season. What was supposed to be the year they went all the way in the playoffs has been anything but that.
The Jets don’t have anything to play for this week, but it’s not like they don’t have any talent on their roster. Despite what their record shows, the Jets have been lighting up the stat sheet as of late. So, let’s take a look at three Jets players Bills fans need to worry about.
Wide receiver Davante Adams
Adams had a bit of a slow start after being traded to New York, but he’s back to the old Adams we’ve grown accustomed to seeing as of late. In the last three games, he’s totaled 375 yards and four touchdowns on 25 receptions, including a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he hauled in nine receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Adams hasn’t missed a beat with old and current, teammate Aaron Rodgers, and they continue to show they can dominate opposing defenses.
On the Bills side, starting cornerback Rasul Douglas returned to practice this week as he deals with a knee injury, and in a game against Adams and Garrett Wilson, Buffalo needs Douglas to play at a high level against his former Green Bay teammates. The Bills have allowed 107 points, 1,075 yards, and nine touchdowns to their last three opponents. With the secondary, and the defense as a whole, getting healthy again, the Bills need to use this as a “get right” game before the playoffs.
Defensive end Will McDonald IV
The Bills have held up well against opposing pass rushers, allowing only 14 sacks to opposing teams. During the year, McDonald's totaled 10 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. McDonald has been one of the few bright spots in this Jets defense, and he is making a name for himself in his second season in the league. The Bills should have nothing to worry about this week, but they’ll have to do some extra game planning for the Jets star pass rusher.
Running Back Breece Hall
It’s too obvious to go with the opposing team’s running back, right? Probably. But Breece Hall always gives the Bills fits in every matchup between these two teams. Last time they faced off in October, Breece rushed for 113 yards, while taking another five receptions for 56 yards. It’s widely known that the Bills have issues stopping the run like they have for the last few seasons now, but Breece can beat you in more ways than on the ground. Hall is one of the best receiving backs in the league, hauling in 53 receptions this season for 460 yards and two touchdowns. Hall has been the only consistent player in this Jets offense, and the Bills need to put a spy on him this week.