David versus Goliath at MetLife Stadium on Sunday?
Not solely, because the 5-3 Jets will host arguably the perfect crew within the NFL, the 6-1 Bills. But it does have a vibe that nobody is giving Gang Green a lot likelihood to win this sport as they’re 12.5-point underdogs.
All 12 months lengthy, followers of different groups have complained about how the Jets have gotten all of the breaks. How the Green and White have performed backup quarterbacks in wins in opposition to the Browns, Dolphins and Broncos.
Sunday is an opportunity to point out the naysayer that the Jets are a reliable playoff contender. Especially after letting final weekend’s sport in opposition to the Patriots slip away.
“You can’t get too high, you can’t get too low,” Jets defensive lineman Vinny Curry informed the Daily News in regards to the sport in opposition to the Bills. “It is probably the most sport as a result of it’s the following one.
“It’s a division game, so that’s the only thing that’s going to be on our mind. It is our next game, it is a division game and we have a challenge ahead.”
One participant who’s on the lookout for a bounce-back efficiency is Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Following a string of three consecutive video games of not turning the ball over, Wilson appeared very very similar to a rookie in opposition to the Patriots.
Wilson accomplished 20 of 41 passes for 355 yards, two touchdowns, however he threw three interceptions within the 22-17 loss to New England. The turnovers proved to be pricey because the Patriots transformed them into 10 factors, which was the distinction in a detailed sport.
Throughout the week, Wilson confronted criticism like he had by no means handled since he was drafted by the Jets in 2021, from analysts telling Wilson to develop as much as discuss the crew is coddling and overprotecting him.
Despite the Jets’ four-game successful streak previous to the sport in opposition to the Patriots, Wilson’s decision-making was questionable to say the least. He was throwing passes into protection, operating backward when he didn’t need to and never seeing the complete area.
In his 5 video games since getting back from a knee harm he suffered in the course of the preseason, Wilson has been one of many worst quarterbacks within the league. He is thrown for 1,048 yards, three touchdowns, 5 interceptions and ranks thirty fourth in completion share (54.9) and twenty fourth in QBR (41.7)
Now Wilson will face one of many largest challenges of his profession. Not solely will he be trying to put final weekend’s efficiency behind him, however Wilson will face a Bills protection that’s first within the NFL in factors allowed [14.0] and third in yards allowed per sport (298.1).
“These guys are good, but we’re good,” Wilson mentioned. “We’re a superb crew.
“We’re shut, and issues are getting nearer each week. I feel for us, it’s going on the market and taking over the problem of understanding that we will beat these guys.
“We just got to go out there and execute. Execution is the key.”
Before the start of the season, the Jets coaches made it a mission to level to make the gamers conscious of their 12 video games shedding streak inside the division.
The Jets lastly ended that drought on Oct. 9 with their 41-17 victory in opposition to the Dolphins. But after main 10-6 at halftime in opposition to the Patriots, the Jets let an opportunity to win one other divisional sport slip away.
At 5-3, the Jets very a lot stay within the AFC playoff hunt. If the postseason began at this time, Gang Green can be the fifth seed within the AFC.
The Jets have actually proven they’re a greater crew than final 12 months. Now can they win a sport in opposition to an opponent that nobody expects them to beat? Saleh has confused the significance of closing the hole contained in the AFC East.
An upset victory in opposition to the Bills will present this Jets crew has lastly arrived.
“We always feel like the ultimate measuring stick is ourselves,” Saleh mentioned.
“Every week you play within the NFL, there may be a lot parity that each sport is a measuring stick. It’s not essentially a measuring stick in opposition to your opponents, it’s a measuring stick in opposition to your self and what are you able to do higher than the day earlier than, if you’ll.
“You need to have that mindset. You can’t make one crew larger than the opposite, in any other case, you’re going to create inconsistency in the best way you play. For us, the problem is to go on the market, and also you’re actually measuring your self in opposition to you.
“If you are better than you were the day before, then you feel like it’ll be good enough. So, in regards to a measuring stick, it’s always about us.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com