Neither the Jets nor Bills have much to play for on Sunday. While New York is playing for pride, Sunday is a final dress rehearsal for Buffalo before the playoffs begin.
Still, the atmosphere at New Era Field is expected to be playoff-like as the Buffalo-faithful prepare to send their team off on a high note before the Bills face the Houston Texans in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Jets, who play one game in Buffalo each season, are prepared for everything that comes with playing in Orchard Park.
“It’s tough,” Sam Darnold said when asked about what it’s like to play away games at New Era Field on Thursday. “Buffalo fans are crazy in the best way. They get it rocking in there.”
For Sunday’s game, the Bills don’t anticipate resting their starters. However, backup quarterback Matt Barkley is expected to see some time behind Josh Allen.
Barkley infamously led a bumbling Bills offense to a huge win over the Jets in November of 2018. The 41-10 loss was seemingly the final nail in the coffin for Todd Bowles’ tenure as the Jets’ head coach. Barkley went 15 of 25, passing for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
Darnold was sidelined with a foot injury but made his first matchup against fellow 2018 draftee Allen, memorable. Nearly a month later, Darnold led the Jets to 27-23 win in Orchard Park.
In Week 1 of the 2019 season, Darnold went 28 of 41 for just 175 yards and just one touchdown in a 17-16 loss at home. Buffalo’s defense suffocated the Jets offense, holding it to just 223 total yards
With 15 games in between, the Jets are looking for revenge even if the team cannot play spoiler to Buffalo’s playoff hopes. After starting 1-7, ending the season 7-9 and going 6-2 in the final eight games would be an impressive accomplishment for Adam Gase’s team.