The sacked Jets’ head coach returns to the MetLife Stadium with his new side - but this could be a big game in both teams’ seasons
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are that you’ve heard something about Rex Ryan’s return to the MetLife Stadium on Thursday as his Buffalo Bills side face his former charges – the New York Jets.
But while pretty much every storyline and column inch this week has been devoted to Ryan’s shot at revenge over his former employers, there’s plenty more to this game than just a spurned head coach.
The Patriots may be running away at the top of the AFC East, but second spot is still very much up for grabs and it looks to be a straight shootout between the Jets (5-3) and Bills (4-4).
Victories for both sides last time out weren’t pretty, but they were pragmatic. And it looks likely that will be the course of action once again.
Nevertheless, a glance at the injury report makes the task all the taller for the Jets’ new head coach Todd Bowles.
Twelve men were on report at the start of the week, with that figure expected to still be around eight come Thursday, owing to various problems.
Throw into the mix the emotion of the occasion and the expected lift that facing a somewhat weakened side will give the Bills, and it is starting to look like being a difficult night for the home side – making a Buffalo victory at 23/20 a good price.
But what about Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, you ask?
While his performances this season have been solid – throwing for 1,790 yards, completing 61.8 per-cent of his passes, for 13 TDs and just seven interceptions – he is going to have to do something special.
Especially if Chris Ivory’s running game doesn’t improve on the last three weeks’ showing.
Rex Ryan recently commented how much he admires the man Jets fans call ‘Fitzmagic’, but he probably can say that, considering his defences boast a 6-3 record whenever they meet his former charge.
Nevertheless, the Jets have been strong starters this season, so it might be worth backing them to get the first scoring play (touchdown 7/4, field goal 3/1).
They might have the edge defensively, but they’ll have to be on their toes if they’re to halt Bills QB Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor has been one of the crowning glories in a mixed campaign for the Bills so far.
His tendency for big plays has not been without fault, but as his relationship with Sammy Watkins continues to blossom, there’s certainly enough there to score some points at the MetLife.
Indeed, only three QBs in the NFL boast a higher passing rating than Taylor at present, so it might be a good idea to back the Bills to score over 20 points at 10/11.
Undoubtedly, it will be an emotional evening.
And while there’s plenty more at stake than just Rex Ryan’s pride, it’s hard to imagine he won’t have something to say, no matter which way this one goes.
