Ryan’s return overshadows AFC East showdown
Minus his bluster, Rex Ryan is back at the Meadowlands — as an underdog to his former team.
Ryan’s return to MetLife Stadium has overshadowed the game itself between his Bills and the Jets. New York is a threepoint favourite over Buffalo in a game that could have major ramifications for the AFC wild-card race.
So that’s what Ryan is concentrating on, not the reception he gets from the same fans who loved his act for most of his six-year tenure with the Jets.
“You know I know we got a huge game in front of us, and that’s really where my focus is gonna be,” said Ryan, whose Bills are 4-4, one game behind the Jets in the AFC East standings, but barely within sight of unbeaten division leader New England (8-0).
“And I’ve said it all along, like after the game I’ll be able to tell you exactly how I was feeling and things.”
But how big would a win be for him?
“For me personally, again it would be huge for me,” Ryan said. “I think it would be huge for everybody on this team.”
Ryan made former Jets defensive end IK Enemkpali a co-captain for today. Enemkpali was cut by the Jets in August for breaking quarterback Geno Smith’s jaw with a punch.
“I’m a little shocked to be honest with you,” Ryan said of the negative reaction coming from the Big Apple. Ryan always selected his captains based on their ties to the opponent. “This was never a thing of disrespect.”
Maybe not, but the Jets get the last punch in. JETS, 23-16 DALLAS (plus 11⁄ 2) at TAMPA BAY How ’bout them Cowboys, losers of six in a row? We’ll bite for ... COWBOYS, 20-19
ARIZONA (plus 3) at SEATTLE A Cardinals victory would just about sew up NFC West crown. Sorry, can’t see it. SEAHAWKS, 21-17 NEW ENGLAND (minus 7)
at N.Y. GIANTS If this was a Super Bowl matchup, wise choice would be Eli’s Big Blue over Brady’s Big Blue. PATRIOTS, 33-23 DETROIT (plus 111⁄ 2)
at GREEN BAY After an ugly two-game road swing, Packers take it out on hapless Lions. PACKERS, 37-20
MIAMI (plus 61⁄ 2) at PHIALDELPHIA Speaking of ugly, that’s how Eagles win. Here’s another unsightly one. EAGLES, 22-13 CAROLINA (minus 41⁄ 2)
at TENNESSEE Nothing ugly about Panthers’ perfect record, which moves to 9-0. PANTHERS, 27-19 MINNESOTA (plus 3)
at OAKLAND Anyone notice Vikings are tied for NFC North lead? It will be short-lived. RAIDERS, 22-21 KANSAS CITY (plus 6)
at DENVER Chiefs should have beaten Broncos in Week 2. Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve ... BRONCOS, 19-14 CLEVELAND (plus 5)
at PITTSBURGH Even without Big Ben, Steelers can handle injury-ravaged Browns. STEELERS, 23-10 CHICAGO (plus 7) at ST. LOUIS Man, are these Rams inconsistent. This week, they are up. RAMS, 20-16 NEW ORLEANS (minus 1)
at WASHINGTON Man, are these Saints inconsistent. But these Redskins can’t cover anyone. SAINTS, 30-20 JACKSONVILLE (plus 51⁄ 2)
at BALTIMORE Jaguars play teams tough, then lose. Here we go again. RAVENS, 17-16 MONDAY NIGHT HOUSTON (plus 10)
at CINCINNTI The Bengals will lose at some point this season. Not on Monday night. BENGALS 30-17
——— 2015 RECORD: Against spread: Week 5-6, Season (67-55-3). Straight up: Week 6-7, Season (84-48)