Bills vs. Jets: Preview, score prediction for Week 9

Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

The New York Jets have reached the mid-point of their season. They enter their Week 9 matchup with the Buffalo Bills 3-5, and they have half of their schedule left, and that includes the bye week in Week 11.

Buffalo presents a similar matchup to the one that the Dolphins did in Week 7. They are a top-five run defense and a top-five scoring defense. The Jets have struggled with their running game since the game against the Jaguars, where Elijah McGuire and Bilal Powell rushed for 256 yards and two touchdowns.

Put simply, the Bills are the opposite of their opponents on Thursday night. Their offense is predicated on the run as they have passed for fewer than 200 yards per game and that ranks 28th in the NFL. On the other hand, their running game ranks ninth in the NFL averaging 124.6 yards per game.

The Bills don’t give up a lot of points, but the last time the Jets faced a team with a good scoring defense they set a season high in points scored and were able to take advantage through the air. In order for the Bills to win they will have to take advantage on the ground, a tough task against the Jets since Week 1. New York hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 1 against the Bills.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Buffalo -3
Moneyline: Buffalo -165, New York +145
Over/Under: 43

Odds via OddsShark

Next: NFL: 5 Teams on upset alert in Week 9

Prediction

If New York can stop the run, it will be tough for the Bills to score, even against a vulnerable Jets secondary. The Gang Green pass rush is showing signs of improving as Muhammad Wilkerson got his first sack last week, and containing Tyrod Taylor is key. There are injuries in the home team’s secondary, and the pass rush will have to handle their business. The Jets are going to rely heavily on that in order to win.

Score Prediction: Buffalo Bills: 24, New York Jets: 27