Buffalo Offense Vs. Jets Defense

Josh Allen. Stefon Diggs. All eyes will be on the Bills’ signal-caller and his newest weapon. That’s a critical year for Allen, trying to establish himself as the team’s franchise QB and NFL’s latest star. He certainly is an excellent playmaker, one of the best in the league at the QB position, but he needs to become a more functional and consistent QB. Diggs arrival should naturally help his development, and this week one match-up will be an excellent opportunity to get this partnership going.

The Jets don’t have a cornerback capable of covering Diggs, or even John Brown, one on one. Their best player at the position is Brian Poole, an outstanding nickel cornerback that lacks the size to play outside. He certainly can make Cole Beasley‘s life difficult on Sunday, but this secondary shouldn’t be able to slow down the Bills’ group of pass-catchers.

With the addition of Zack Moss, Buffalo has a new dimension added to the rushing attack. I’m expecting a lot from Devin Singletary in 2020, but Moss’s physical style is a nice compliment. The Jets are tough up front, with Steve McLendon at nose tackle in Gregg Williams’ base 3-4, very strong against the run, and Quinnen Williams is a talented young player coming from an unimpressive rookie season. He’s a guy with the potential to impact the game in a big way, but we didn’t see it last year. Henry Anderson, another solid run stopper, is the third piece of this DL.

New York doesn’t have a true pass-rushing threat in their outside linebackers group. Jordan Jenkins led the team in sacks last year, with eight, but he’s more of setting the edge guy. On the interior, star linebacker C.J. Mosley opted out this season, a massive loss for NY. His main replacement, veteran Avery Williamson, is a strong linebacker against the run but a liability defending the pass. However, Williamson was taken out of practice this week, and his availability for Sunday is a mystery. If he can’t go, Neville Hewitt and Blake Cashman should start. Again, not names that strike fear into Bills Mafia’s hearts.

Overall, that’s a group that lacks the talent to shut down the Bills offense. Allen, Diggs, and Co. should be too much to handle. They will need Gregg Williams to out-coach Brian Daboll and force Allen into a disappointing performance, to escape Orchard Park with a win.

Biggest Bills advantage: Bills WRs against the Jets secondary.

Reason for concern: Gregg Williams exotic blitzes.

Overall

It’s a game between a team that has done everything the right way in their rebuilding process against one that has been a mess. Buffalo needs to impose themselves since the beginning of the game and don’t let Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell get hot, or the Jets defense to gain confidence. The Jets are not a team that should be able to steal a game in Buffalo, and the Bills can’t waste this opportunity to start 1-0. They are the superior squad.

Prediction: Bills win, 31-14.