Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - After two-straight losses for the first time this season, the Buffalo Bills will be looking to get back into the win column when they take on the New York Jets on Sunday in Orchard Park.
To do that, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Rejuvenated offense
This will be the first game with Joe Brady calling plays after he was named the interim offensive coordinator on Tuesday following the dismissal of Ken Dorsey.
The offensive numbers have not been bad this season, but obviously the production hasn’t been there. Over the last six games, the Bills are averaging only 20.5 points per-contest.
But listening to head coach Sean McDermott after Dorsey's firing, the reason for the change seems to go deeper than that. He’s used the word "energy" a lot, and has talked about the culture and sub-culture of that unit.
Simply put, the offense, and maybe especially quarterback Josh Allen, needs to have some new life injected into them, which hopefully will translate into energy, enthusiasm, and more points.
2.) Stop the mistakes
It’s really been the mistakes that have hurt the offense more than anything.
They committed four turnovers last week, including two interceptions thrown by Allen and two fumbles lost. They’ve moved the ball, but stalled right around midfield. And there have been very costly penalties at critical times.
All of that is on player execution, but also on coaching. The little details.
The mistakes are adding up and have cost them games.
Against the Jets, a team with a terrific defense but very limited offense, those kinds of mistakes are what could allow them to pull off the upset.
3.) Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson
Hall and Wilson are New York’s two best players, and really the only play-makers on the Jets' offensive roster.
Last time the two teams played back on "Monday Night Football" in Week 1, Hall busted two long runs, including an 83-yarder, and finished the game with 10 carries for 127 yards.
Wilson finished the game with five grabs and the team’s only offensive touchdown.
The Bills need to make sure neither gets going in this one, and that the Jets offense continues to be frustrated.
NOTES AND STATS:
