The Buffalo Bills will play the New York Jets at home at Highmark Stadium in Week 17.
With a win, the Bills (12-3) would post a perfect record in Orchard Park this season. They have won nine of their last 10 in total. The Jets (4-11) have lost five of six.
The Bills are favored by 9.5 points. In the first matchup best these two AFC East foes in Week 6, the Bills skated by with a 23-20 victory.
Even though the Jets have four wins this year, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Buffalo will need to execute its game plan to pick up its 13th win of the year.
With that, here are three keys to a Bills win in Week 17:
Get it going on the ground
Bills running back James Cook had an efficient day on the ground against the New England Patriots in Week 16. He carried it 11 times and recorded 100 rushing yards (9.1 avg), including a 46-yard run for a touchdown.
In Week 17, Buffalo faces a Jets team that ranks 23rd in the NFL in defense rushing DVOA. Last week in a loss to the LA Rams, the Jets allowed running back Kyren Williams to rush for 122 yards and a touchdown at 5.3 yards per carry.
Opportunities should arise for the Bills’ runners on Sunday if they remain dedicated to the run game.
More production from pass catchers
No player on the Bills roster had more than 26 receiving yards in last week’s win over the Patriots. Cook led the team, Mack Hollins had 25 yards, and Dawson Knox and Khalil Shakir each had 22 yards.
Having production from the pass catchers will make life easier for Josh Allen and the Bills against the Jets. If they are going to be vanilla with their play calling over the last few weeks, receivers are going to need to win one-on-one matchups.
An impact from the defensive line
The Jets, even at 4-11, are still a capable offense when they get into a rhythm. Led by Aaron Rodgers under center, they have playmakers who can rip you apart like Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall.
If Rodgers has the time to sit back and go through progressions, life will be difficult for the Bills on Sunday, especially given their injuries on the back end. Three safeties are questionable: Damar Hamlin; Taylor Rapp; Cam Lewis. An impact from the defensive line, both against the run and the pass, would go a long way toward a Bills victory.
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