❚ NFL Week 14 matchups,
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, New Era Field, Orchard Park, N.Y. TV: CBS Danny Sheridan’s line: Bills by 3 ⁄2 1 Jets’ keys to victory: The Jets have question marks at quarterback. Regardless if rookie Sam Darnold is healthy or Josh McCown fills in again, New York must go to its bread and butter: rushing. The Bills’ pass defense is among the best in the NFL while their run defense is average. In the teams’ first meeting, the Jets fell behind quickly and had to abandon the run. The few times they did run, they averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Defensively, the Jets will face QB Josh Allen for the first time. He can run. Don’t let him.
Bills’ keys to victory: Since returning from an elbow injury two weeks ago, Allen has taken a step forward. If he doesn’t play well against a defense that Matt Barkley sliced up weeks earlier, it will be a disappointment. Let Allen make as many plays as he can with his arm and legs so he can continue his development. On defense, the Bills will have a stable’s worth of running backs coming at them, featuring Elijah McGuire, Trenton Cannon and Isaiah Crowell. The Jets haven’t done much in the passing game in 2018, so force them to beat you through the air. The Bills’ secondary needs a rebound after allowing three scores to Miami last week.
Matchup to watch: Jets WR Robby Anderson vs. Bills CB Tre’Davious White. Anderson, who missed the last meeting, can be dynamic. The Jets have a great shot to win if he makes some plays.
Who wins? The Bills lost an emotional roller coaster while the Jets performed well in a loss to the Titans. They will split the season series with the Bills.
Jets, 20-17