Bills vs. Jets: 6 things fans should know about Buffalo in Week 10

The Jets play arguably their toughest opponent in Week 10.

Not only are the Bills one of the best teams in the league, but they’re also coming off a devastating loss to the Jaguars and looking to bounce back in a big way. Buffalo has won by a combined 50 points in the games immediately following its two other losses this season.

New York proved the past two weeks its offense works, but it’s the defense that’s played ineffectively recently. The matchup doesn’t get much easier against Josh Allen and the Bills’ skill position players. Winning the battle in the trenches without giving up the big plays will be the biggest key for the Jets’ defense, while the offense just needs to find ways to build momentum without making mistakes.

Here are six things to know about the Bills heading into the Jets’ Week 10 matchup.

Great on third down

(Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

Flipping a coin has only slightly better odds than the Bills converting on third down. Buffalo ranks third in the league with a 48.2 percent third-down conversion rate, which has contributed to the team’s 48.9 percent scoring rate on offensive possessions. The Jets, meanwhile, allow 40.2 percent of third-down conversions.

Lots of takeaways, few giveaways

(Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)

The Bills are the kings of turnovers. Not only has Buffalo forced 19 turnovers – second in the NFL – but the team’s eight total giveaways rank fifth-fewest in the league. Simply put: the Bills don’t give the ball away often but love to take it away. That’ll be tough for the Jets to contend with considering they’re on the opposite end of the turnover differential spectrum. Buffalo is first in the league at plus-11, while New York is last at minus-12.

Close losses

(Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports)

The Bills have three losses on their record this season, but all have been by six points or fewer. The wins, meanwhile, have been by an average of 26 points. If the Jets can keep the game close, they’ll have a shot to win. The key to that, though, is turnovers. Five of the Bills’ eight turnovers this season came during those losses, including three this past week against the Jaguars.

Bills' OL is beatable

(Bob Self-Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY NETWORK)

For as dominant as the Bills have been on offense, it’s mostly come despite their offensive line. Josh Allen is among the most-pressured quarterbacks this season with a 27.4 pressure rate – fifth in the league – despite seeing just 72 blitzes. He’s second in hurries, third in hits and seventh in scrambles. Yet, Allen has only been sacked 12 times, meaning he’s good at getting the ball out and evading tacklers. Tight end Dawson Knox and left tackle Spencer Brown are back from injury, so the Bills could be tougher in the trenches this week.

Good luck airing it out

(Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

Mike White might check the ball down even more this week. The Bills defense allows the fewest passing touchdowns, passing yards, air yards and yards after the catch. The Jets offense will likely struggle to get the ball moving and will need to manufacture yards anyway they can against this stringent secondary.

Watch out for pressure

(Jamie Germano-Democrat and Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK)

The Bills own the best pressure rate in the NFL heading into Week 10 at 32.1 percent. Though Buffalo has only turned that pressure into 18 sacks, the Jets offensive line needs to make sure it’s not putting White into bad situations, especially since White is much more of a pocket passer than a scrambler. Jerry Hughes and Gregory Rousseau on the edges could give the Jets the most trouble this week.

[listicle id=671116]

1

1