New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills: The Bills have no room for error

The Buffalo Bills had an awful game last week, losing 6-9 on their home field to Jacksonville. What happened to Josh Allen's offense? Maybe nothing. An away game against the New York Jets should provide a clear answer to that question.

Robert Saleh's team's previous game showed that it was. As part of the Thursday Night Football series in Week 9, the Jets were defeated on the road by Indianapolis 30-45. So the home win a week earlier over the Bengals (34-31) is more of a problem for the Bengals themselves. The Jets have a 2-6 balance, last place in the AFC East division, and no tournament prospects.

The level of the New York team is still low, but in at least the last two games, fans of the club can be encouraged by the progress of the offense. They scored 34 points against Cincinnati and 30 against Indianapolis. It is interesting that both games had the starting quarterback position played not by the second pick of the past draft, Zach Wilson, but by Mike White, who was drafted in the 5th round of the 2018 draft.

It is not the very fact of the Bills' loss to Jacksonville that is surprising, as the NFL is the kind of league where anyone can win, but how poorly the current season's best offense has performed. Josh Allen and company never scored a touchdown all game. And the best defense of the season performed at its best, not allowing a single return touchdown to the Jaguars. Thanks to the performance of the defense, the intrigue lasted until the very end, and the Jaguars' 21-yard field goal with just under 4 minutes left before the final siren was the deciding factor.

As awful as the loss from Jacksonville was, it hadn't hurt the Bills' tournament prospects much so far. Sean McDermott's team still tops the AFC East division standings. It's worth noting, though, that another setback like that could take away Buffalo's lead. The Bills' main quartet rival, the New England Patriots, have picked up momentum with 3 wins in a row and don't seem intent on stopping.

The division rivals have yet to meet this season. Buffalo beat the New York Jets in 3 out of 4 games in the previous two championships.

A win in the upcoming game is a must for Buffalo. Not only to make up for the loss to Jacksonville and regain their confidence, but also because things are escalating in the division. The New England Patriots are back, looking better with every game and quite possibly just eating the Bills up if they make a mistake. The Jets are clearly not the kind of opponent you can do anything to justify failure against. Josh Allen and company just have to pick themselves up.

Prediction: Buffalo will approach the game responsibly in New York with a solid win.

• Handicap Buffalo (-10.5) for 1.61;
• Buffalo Total Over (30) for 1.90;
• Halftime / Fulltime – New York / Buffalo for 7.58.