The Buffalo Bills have fallen back to earth with back-to-back losses to the Ravens and Texans in the last two weeks. Now comes the underachieving Jets, who have just fired their head coach Robert Saleh, in a Monday Night showdown in a game that both teams need to have. The Bills philosophy of “everybody eats” has left a lot of people hungry. Josh Allen is in dire straights and the passing game is underwhelming. Allen in the last two weeks is 29-59 311 yards and a touchdown. If it wasn’t for a questionable final series at the end of the Texans game which led to the Houston game-winning field goal, we might be having a different conversation today.
Injuries have been a huge part of the reason the Bills haven’t been soaring. Khalil Shakir missed the Texans game and is a huge part of the offense. He sets the table and the other receivers eat from his plate.
Bills WR's not named Khalil Shakir in 5 games in 2024
— Mike Catalana (@MikeCatalana) October 7, 2024
Keon Coleman 9 catches 16 targets 175 yards
Curtis Samuel 9 catches 13 targets 48 yards
Mack Hollins 6 catches 17 targets 73 yards
MVS 2 catches 9 targets 26 yards
No bueno…
All things considered, the Bills still had a chance against Houston and came back from a 20-3 deficit to lose on a 59 yard FG. There are many things to like about the job Sean McDermott has done, but his game management can be an issue from time to time. Now the 2-3 Jets await and the Jets are in a desperate position to salvage their season. This can be exactly what the Bills need or something they desperately needed to avoid.
Three massive concerns for the Bills in Week 6 vs New York Jets
A struggling Jets rushing attack can’t get hot against the Bills
Breece Hall has 197 yards on the season. He has been almost nonexistent on the ground for the Jets. He’s added 148 receiving yards which looks nice but is not what the team needs from him right now. Braelon Allen is right behind Hall with 143 yards on the season. Both backs have the ability to break a game wide open. While the Bills did a better job at bottling up the run against Houston, you cannot let Hall or Allen get going and give Aaron Rodgers the play action pass. Keeping the Jets one dimensional gives you a great chance to win.
Jets defense may not look vaunting but the numbers say otherwise
The Bills will face the Jets #2 ranked passing defense and 15th ranked rush defense. The passing game is struggling and facing one of the top passing defenses isn’t going to help. Jets DE Will McDonald also has 6 sacks on the year which is tied for 2nd in the NFL. James Cook is nursing a toe injury and he is a major part of how this offense works. Running the ball sets up the pass and James Cook not being able to do what he does best hurts. He is on track to play but his situation is worth monitoring. Josh Allen’s legs will be vital if James Cook’s toe hinders him.
A loss doesn’t sink the season but it definitely will hurt
The Bills need a win. It’s no secret. Josh Allen needs to get back on rhythm, and the receivers not named Shakir must contribute. Keon Coleman has shown flashes but his ability to get off press coverage is still a question. Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Curtis Samuel need to be more present in the passing game. Dalton Kincaid can’t mask their deficiencies forever. This game needs to have James Cook and Ray Davis getting positive yards against the Jets with Josh Allen getting the yards they can’t get. Once the run game gets going the passing game will follow. If the Bills become one dimensional, there will be more questions than answers for a third week in a row.