How cool is this?
If the J-E-T-S beat R-E-X on Sunday, they’re in the playoffs.
The forecast in Buffalo is calling for temperatures in the low 30s and possible snow flurries, which for that town at this time of year is basically the equivalent of 85 and sunny anywhere else in the world.
Still, it’s cold weather football, and while Rex’s Bills have been the very definition of mediocrity this season, they excel at running the ball and can be expected to do so quite a bit this weekend -- unless, that is, the visitors open up a big lead.
Stud RB LeSean McCoy is listed as questionable after tearing his MCL, but Buffalo didn’t miss a beat when he sat out last week’s game vs. Dallas. The Bills ran all over the Cowboys’ front, racking up 236 yards thanks to stellar efforts by no-name backs Mike Gillislee and Karlos Williams and solid contributions by QB Tyrod Taylor.
“Game Manager” isn’t usually a term associated with quarterbacks who can run like a poor man’s Usain Bolt (of course, Taylor won’t ever be described as a poor man’s anything after becoming a free agent this coming offseason), but Taylor has played that role to a T in his first campaign in Buffalo.
The five-year NFL vet plays smart and rarely turns the ball over. Had he not missed a few games in October with his own MCL injury, it’s possible that Rex’s crew would be fighting for its own postseason slot on Sunday. Then again, with the Bills D growing more porous over the course of the season, probably not.
Yes, Buffalo has lost several key defenders to season-ending injuries, but what team hasn’t?
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Meanwhile, the guys who have been playing -- particular the team’s vaunted front four -- have, in a word, stunk.
Last season, Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes combined for 40 sacks. This year, they have 12 between them, even though only Williams has missed a chunk of time.
Earlier this month, Mario Williams called out his head coach after Buffalo surrendered 35 points in a loss to Washington. Seems the 6’6”, 290-pound. defensive end -- who is paid roughly the GDP of a mid-sized European nation to rush the passer -- doesn’t think dropping back in pass coverage is his thing.
While the Bills are carping, Gang Green is humming, coming into Ralph Wilson Stadium riding a five-game winning streak. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing the best ball of his decade-long career, and the defense has stepped up a notch while standing on the very broad shoulders of DL Muhammad Wilkerson.
If the Jets can extend the streak to six, they’ll earn their 11th W -- and a Wild Card berth -- in the process.
Sure looks like they’ll start the New Year off right.
