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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 1, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) and defensive back Robert Blanton (26) stand on the field before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions win 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

3) The Boundary

Does “Revis Island” no longer exist?

That was one of the main storylines after Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green scorched Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis on Sunday, catching all eight of his targets for 100 yards when covered by Revis.

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I don’t know if I’d go as far as saying Revis is no longer a shutdown corner, but there are definitely signs he is slowing down. Unfortunately, Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins is experiencing “severe discomfort” in his surgically repaired foot and might not be able to attack Revis like Green did.

The other issue for the Bills is their inability to stretch the field. Aside from Watkins the team doesn’t have a bona fide deep threat and it showed during Week 1. Aside from the 33-yard completion to tight end Charles Clay, the Bills did not complete another pass where the ball traveled more than 20 yards in the air.  I’m sure the Bills will take a shot or two down the field on Thursday, but against Baltimore it was clear that they wanted to move the ball through short passes.

Of course, the Bills can’t be missing out on opportunities like this either:

Much like the Bills, the Jets were hesitant to throw the ball down the field. In Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick only attempted one pass longer than 20 yards downfield and completed just four of 10 passes longer than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Thanks to, what looked like, a decrease in velocity and arm strength, Fitzpatrick was unable to attack the boundary, which could bode well for the Bills. With Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby lining up across from Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, the Bills’ defence might be more aggressive on Thursday and dare Fitzpatrick to attack the boundary.

Next: Sammy Watkins Injury Update

If either team can consistently make plays on the boundary, or at least threaten too, they should create opportunities on offence.

How do you think the Jets-Bills game will play out on Thursday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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