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Buffalo Bills: 3 Things to Watch for Versus New York Jets

By Chris Okrainetz

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) carries during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) carries during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Bills
Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Preston Brown (52) tackles Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Buffalo Bills 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Battle in the Trenches

On a night where legendary Bills’ defensive end Bruce Smith is having his No. 78 retired, it’s only fitting that a pair of great defensive lines take centre stage.

Although the Bills’ defensive line is without superstar defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (suspension), the unit still put together an excellent game on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. According to Pro Football Focus‘ game grades, defensive tackle Kyle Williams (79.3) was the Bills best defensive lineman in Week 1, which isn’t a big surprise.

If the Bills are going to have success disrupting the Jets’ offence on Thursday night, Williams will once again need to play a prominent role. The 33-year-old defensive tackle was a force along the line of scrimmage in Week 1, creating pressure, controlling gaps, and allowing middle linebacker Preston Brown, who was the Bills’ highest graded (84.8) defensive player by Pro Football Focus, to fly around and make plays.

Aside from Williams, who will have his hands full with center Nick Mangold, the Bills will have to find a way to create pressure off the edge. The Jets’ offensive line was excellent in Week 1, only allowing one sack, and four of their five offensive lineman received a grade of 75 or higher from Pro Football Focus. For the Bills, however, attacking the left side of their line and creating blind side pressure on quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will be key. Left tackle Ryan Clady and guard James Carpenter were exceptional against Cincinnati, so Jerry Hughes will have his work cut out for him.

On the other side of the ball, Todd Bowles‘ defensive line proved in Week 1 just how devastating they can be, racking up seven sacks against the Bengals. Scary part about those seven sacks? They were all without defensive end Sheldon Richardson, who was serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Considering the issues the Bills had on offence during Week 1, the Jets’ defensive line could be poised for another big game on Thursday night. Keep in mind, Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed just 25 percent of the passes he attempted while under pressure during Week 1. In other words, the offensive line will need to elevate their play significantly against the Jets.

Next: Blitz Pickup

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