It’s AFC East test time for Zach Wilson and the New York Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—The New York Jets are set to take a test—the toughest one up to this point in the 2022 NFL season. Josh Allen and his 6-1 Buffalo Bills represent that test, and Zach Wilson better be ready.
Wilson, 23, threw three horrific interceptions in the Jets’ disappointing Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday. His potential bounce-back game comes against the league’s No. 3 defense (No. 9 against the pass).
After four straight victories, the loss to Bill Belichick created a 1.5-game difference between the Jets and the Bills in the AFC East. It also allowed the Miami Dolphins to climb for a tie (with the Jets) for second in the tough division.
With a bye upcoming (Week 10), Robert Saleh and company surely have an eye on shocking the NFL world this Sunday.
Jets vs. Bills game info
- New York Jets (5-3)
- Buffalo Bills (6-1)
- NFL, Week 9, Nov. 6, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
MetLife Stadium will host this AFC East rivalry game, while CBS will broadcast it at 1 p.m. ET. The channel’s No. 2 broadcast team, Ian Eagle and Charles Davis, will call this one from the swamps of Northern New Jersey. It marks the third-straight contest this team has called a Jets game.
| Place | Logo | Team | Wins | Losses | Ties | Pct. | Division | PF | PA | Home | Away | Srk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Buffalo Bills | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4-2 | 455 | 286 | 7-1 | 6-2 | W7 |
| 2 |  | Miami Dolphins | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 3-3 | 397 | 399 | 6-2 | 3-6 | W1 |
| 3 |  | New England Patriots | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 3-3 | 364 | 347 | 4-4 | 4-5 | L1 |
| 4 |  | New York Jets | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 2-4 | 296 | 316 | 3-5 | 4-5 | L6 |
After a week off, the Jets are going back to their white tops and black pants. It’s this set that was featured during their four-game winning streak. After the Stealth Black helmets were unveiled a week ago—in the loss to the Pats—New York has brought back old-reliable.
It's back.@iamSauceGardner | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/njSSGQSxZP
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 5, 2022
Jets vs. Bills history
- The Bills lead the all-time series 67-56.
For the most part, the Jets and Bills history has been extremely competitive. Buffalo is currently on a four-game winning streak, as they have swept New York each of the last two seasons.
The Jets’ last victory over the Bills came on Dec. 29, 2019, when the Adam Gase-led squad came away with a 13-6 victory in Orchard Park, NY. Sam Darnold threw for 199 yards and a touchdown (to one interception) on 23 of 36 passing. Jamison Crowder led the way through the air with 66 yards and a score on eight receptions.
Jets vs. Bills odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Spread: Jets +10.5 (-110), Bills -10.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Jets +430, Bills -590
- Over/Under: 45.5 (O: -115, U: -105)
The NFL world expected this one to feature a big-time spread, but some folks believe 10.5 points is a bit much.
Considering the Jets are home, this could be a bit too high for most sports bettors’ liking, but hey, these are the Buffalo Bills, the team most believe is the best in the NFL at this very moment.
Jets vs. Bills injury report
New York Jets
- Corey Davis (Knee): Out
- Duane Brown (Shoulder): Good to go
- Nate Herbig (Hand): Good to go
- Lamarcus Joyner (Hip): Good to go
- C.J. Uzomah (Shoulder): Good to go
Although Max Mitchell and George Fant have yet to return to the active roster (from IR)—something fans were hoping would happen prior to this Bills game—the Jets enter Week 9 in pretty fine shape.
The active roster has just one guy slated to miss this one, wide receiver Corey Davis, who will miss his second-straight game. This means the disgruntled Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims should have plenty of opportunities to shine.
Kenny Yeboah was elevated from the practice squad this week, as was Conor McDermott, to add some offensive tackle insurance.
Buffalo Bills
- Jordan Poyer (Elbow): Out
- Spencer Brown (Anke): Questionable
- Matt Milano (Oblique): Questionable
- Tre’Davious White (Knee): Questionable
- Cam Lewis (Forearm): Good to go
- Von Miller (Ankle): Good to go
- Tremaine Edmunds (Heel): Good to go
- Taiwan Jones (Knee): Good to go
- Mitch Morse (Elbow): Good to go
Interestingly, not only will Zach Wilson face a banged-up Bills secondary with safety Micah Hyde on season-ending IR, but he will also take them on without the other half of a usually dynamic safety tandem. Jordan Poyer will miss this one with an elbow injury.
Others who are questionable include linebacker Matt Milano and cornerback Tre’Davious White.
Jets vs. Bills prediction
- New York Jets 22, Buffalo Bills 27
Although I do think the Jets hang tough all afternoon, the Buffalo Bills should be too much in the end. What the New York Jets need, in order to take that next step, especially without the heart and soul of their team in Alijah Vera-Tucker, is for Zach Wilson to start trusting himself.
Wilson’s lack of trust in himself and fear that he will make a mistake when rolling through his reads from the pocket is what places him and his team in danger (the mad-scrambling we often see).
Perhaps No. 2 could right the ship a bit on Sunday, especially without Jordan Poyer in the lineup, but the odds are pretty solid that Mike LaFleur plays things conservatively.
Count on the Jets defense making things interesting, and Wilson making several “wow” plays, but in the end, the Bills should come away with their seventh victory.
