Archives for January 3, 2016

'And for Ryan, there’s even extra motivation. A year after the Jets fired him for missing the playoffs his last four years, a first-season coach, former Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, has New York on the brink of the post season. The Bills’ new boss surely doesn’t want that to happen in his house.'

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'“Those people mean a lot to me.”'

'Still, Sunday's game at Ralph Wilson Stadium still carries much significance for several players on the team trying to stick around long term. Safety Jonathan Meeks leads the Bills in special teams tackles with 12 but has played only nine defensive snaps all season. Coach Rex Ryan said earlier this week he'll play Meeks more in this one with Bacarri Rambo battling a shoulder injury.'

'Blame, right or wrong, will likely be placed on the players this off-season. A group that finished with a NFL-high 54 sacks a year ago, one ranked fourth in total defense might be picked apart. And Brown, the one at the central command center of it all, might be a player the front office pegs a problem. He has 116 tackles this season, but has been rated the worst player at his position by Pro Football Focus.'

'I’ll be pulling for him. It’s not only Fitz. Chan Gailey, a true gentleman and a resourceful offensive mind during his three years as Bills head coach, is the Jets’ offensive coordinator. It would good to see Gailey go to the playoffs for the first time since he went as Miami’s coordinator 15 years ago.'

'“It’s an easy 10 bucks an hour,” said Isaac Dana, 17, of East Aurora. “I’d be doing this at home shoveling my driveway, so I might as well get paid for it.”'

'Jets 27, Bills 20.'

'Chan Gailey has been huge in getting the Jets offense to where they are. Obviously, he had to deal with unexpectedly losing his starting quarterback before the season. He also lost TE Jace Amaro in the preseason. He puzzled many people by reducing WR Jeremy Kerley’s reps, and we are now starting to see it paying off with the emergence of they hybrid WR/TE Quincy Enunwa. I was never confident in RB Chris Ivory’s pass catching in previous years, but that has improved this year, and they have been giving him screen passes and catches out of the backfield. His use of pre-snap motion helps tip off the defenses. He is adamant against using the wildcat and other gadget plays; instead, he wants the players to execute their regular offense.'

'"Right now, he's got guys making plays for him and not only (Eric Decker) and (Brandon Marshall) making plays, but he's got the tight end that wasn't there the first time making plays and (Kenbrell) Thompkins, who was with the Patriots, making plays for him whenever he throws the ball to him. But Fitz is Fitz. Fitz gets the ball out of his hand and just throwing to his receivers and they're making plays for him."'

'Regardless, Ryan has been forced to eat his words, as his new franchise will continue its NFL-longest drought of non-playoff seasons, stretching to 1999.'

'QB TYROD TAYLOR (100.7) is on pace to join HOFer JIM KELLY (101.2 in 1990) as only Bills with 100+ rating in single season. 1st Bill since JACK KEMP in 1965 with TD rush & TD pass in 3 different games in same season. Taylor leads AFC QBs with 517 rush yards, most ever by Bills QB in season. In past 10, has passed for 2,416 yards with 16 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 100.2 rating & has 433 rush yards & 2 TDs.'

'The depleted Bills roster, combined with the Jets talent, current hot streak, and overall motivation to get to the postseason this year gives them the edge in this contest.'