New D-line vs. new O-line
Just kidding, right back at the offensive line.
But actually we’re now onto the Jets O-line and the Bills defensive line. The play in the trenches when those two units on the field is going to be very telling because both sides have plenty of new faces.
For the Jets, new players include first-round rookie Mekhi Becton at tackle,. center Connor McGovern, guard Greg Van Roten and tackle George Fant. Pretty much everyone except Alex Lewis is new. Like the Bills’ offensive line from last season, everyone will be watching if this revamped unit can gel together quickly.
On the flip side, the Bills will have familiar faces such as Jerry Hughes on the defensive front, but guys include Vernon Butler, Quinton Jefferson, Mario Addison and rookie AJ Epenesa. How does the rotation along McDermott’s defensive front go in this one?
Watch out for Jamison Crowder
The Bills did win against the Jets on opening day last year, but in that tight game, and really in both Bills-Jets meetings in 2019, one guy stepped up for Gang Green: wide receiver Jamison Crowder.
In Week 1, Crowder and Darnold connected for a whooping 14 receptions. Between both games, Crowder had a massive 22 catches. Despite all those touches, the Bills did kind of keep him at bay, though. Crowder had 99 and 66 yards in his games against the Bills last year, respectively. He also only had one touchdown.
Still, that’s a lot of output and the Bills did have Tre’Davious White last year and Crowder still had all those catches, so do the Jets keep feeding Crowder again? It might be a good idea because like Allen doesn’t have a lot of game chemistry with Diggs, Darnold doesn’t with any of his receivers except Crowder. Breshad Perrison is a new veteran to the team while rookie Denzel Mims, who won’t play in this one, is also mnew.
Prediction time
If the Bills want to prove to the NFL they’re a serious contender, they have to come out of the gate flying. No questions asked. This game should not be close. The Bills have a ton of continuity all over their roster heading into this one. The Jets either have new faces or plenty of injury at key positions. Buffalo wants to be taken serious? Beat down the Jets.
And in fact, that’s going to be the prediction.
Allen and Diggs might get worked in slowly. The same might be the case for rookie receiver Gabriel Davis. Because of that, John Brown has a great look at a 100-yard receiving game while second-year rusher Devin Singletary could be look at a lot of touches himself, too. Bills 27, Jets 10.
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