Sunday will be a highly anticipated divisional matchup between the Buffalo Bills who travel to take on the New York Jets. The two teams come in with several similarities already in this young season; both come in with identical 1-1 records, both have their wins coming by way of game-winning drives, and both have losses coming from a sloppy game against the New England Patriots in a tight affair. But what people are talking about is another similarity – both have rookies at the Quarterback position in Geno Smith and EJ Manuel.
When the Bills have the ball:
There was a lot of controversy in EJ Manuel being chosen before Geno Smith, but he has proven to be more ready than Geno to take control of an NFL team. Manuel enters the game 45-66 for 446 yards and throwing for 3 touchdowns, while Geno Smith comes in 39-73 for 470 yards and only one touchdown through the air coming in week one. What we could expect to see from Rex Ryan and his hardcore New York Jets defense that has been one of the best since he took the throne of head coach, is a whole lot of pressure – as if we didn’t know Rex didn’t love to send his linebackers after the quarterback.
The Bills haven’t faced a pass rush like the Jets boast yet this year. One of the keys to the game will be containing Manuel because, to be fair the kid can run. He throws the ball very well from the pocket with no pressure, though once the pocket begins to collapse he has a tendency to loose that accuracy. We can also expect Rex to send more pressure from the outside, sending corners out of Nickle and Dime packages, to try and penetrate a weak Bills offensive line.
Out wide, expect to see Antonio Cromartie one-on-one with Stevie Johnson, the man coverage killer, who already has 2 touchdowns on the outside. We should be seeing Muhammad Wilkerson provide the main pass rush, while rookie Sheldon Richardson will have responsibility of not letting CJ Spiller break past the defensive front of the Jets. CJ Spiller and his incredible speed and agility, and should be the Jets main concern. He has 33 carries for 144 yards thus far – very impressive for his first year being the official starter. Look for Dee Milliner and Antonio Cromartie, to really try and help out their outside linebackers by doing whatever it takes to squeeze CJ Spiller back to the middle of the field, preventing him from grabbing the edge of the field, slipping free, and take it to the house for 80 yards like we saw last week against the Carolina Panthers.
When the Jets have the ball:
Offensively, all the Jets have to do right to succeed is, well, everything. We need to see more production from the run game. I am a firm believer in Chris Ivory and his ability to drag defenders, and generally hit the hole. I feel Bilal Powell has been very hesitant waiting for an opening and by the time he sees something he’s being swarmed by the entire defensive front.
I would also like to see the Jets offense be a little more up-tempo. With a young quarterback who has natural abilities and isn’t too great at identifying NFL defenses yet, why not get to the line in a hurry and let him play naturally, without over-thinking. Let him go out and do what he does best – throwing the football. Geno Smith is a West Virgina product graduating with Tavon Austin, and Stedman Bailey (both on the St. Louis Rams) who are gifted with great speed. We’ve seen the three of them generate a good relationship on the field through utilizing their speed and having Geno deliver the ball quickly. Short passes to me are the greatest confidence booster for Geno Smith, and I would love to see him get more quick throws in to Jeremy Kerley, and really let the two get in a rhythm.
I also hope to see less of Clyde Gates on the field. As great as an athlete Clyde is, his route running is awful and has very far from sure hands. And of course I’d like to see Santonio Holmes step up and be a leader for this offense. Seems to me like he’s ready to hang up the Green and White and move on.
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