It's time. For those who are attending the game, the team is calling for a "green-out" (wear something green). For those who are not attending the game, I highly recommend going. Opening day is a special atmosphere which is completely different from every other game. For those who don't follow the offseason and are just returning from hiatus (I envy you) here's a crash course: Bills: Most notable offseason moves: RB: Frank Gore, Devin Singletary WR: Cole Beasley, John Brown OL: Mitch Morse, Quinton Spain, Spencer Long, LaAdrian Waddle, Cody Ford DL: Ed Oliver (lost Kyle Williams to retirement) TE: Tyler Kroft Returner: Andre Roberts Notable Injuries: C Mitch Morse has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play G Quinton Spain is battling a foot/ankle injury and his status is unclear Star CB Tre'Davious White had a scare in the team's 3rd preseason game but has returned to practice after a bruised quad TE Tyler Kroft is likely to miss the game with a broken foot Jets: Most notable offseason moves: Fired HC Todd Bowles and most staff, Hired HC Adam Gase and DC Gregg Williams Fired GM Mike Maccagnan, hired GM Joe Douglas RB: Le'Veon Bell (has not played in preseason- coach's decision), Ty Montgomery LB: CJ Mosley, Blake Cashman (lost Avery Williamson to torn ACL) OL: Kelechi Osemele, Ryan Kalil ("lost" Spencer Long, James Carpenter) WR: Jamison Crowder (lost Andre Roberts; Greg Dortch will return punts, Trenton Cannon will return kicks) TE: Ryan Griffin, Trevon Wesco (Herndon suspended 4 games) K: Lost Jason Myers; starter may not be on roster yet (currently Taylor Bertolet) DL: Quinnen Williams CB: Brian Poole ("lost" Buster Skrine) Notable Injuries: LB Avery Williamson will miss the entire season with a knee injury CB Trumaine Johnson suffered a hamstring injury in week 2 of training camp. He was held out for the rest of camp, but he has started to do individual drills and 7 on 7 drills. It seems to be trending in the direction that he will play. S Marcus Maye began camp on the PUP list but has returned to full participant status and will play C Ryan Kalil has just started participating in team drills in the last week, working his way back into shape from retirement. It is uncertain if he will play, though both Gase and Douglas have expressed optimism G Kelechi Osemele (pec) and Brian Winters (shoulder) missed the final preseason game but have resumed team drills. It seems they both will play WR Robby Anderson missed practice with a calf injury and is day-to-day. The injury doesn't seem to be significant. TE Chris Herndon is suspended for the first 4 games for his DUI crash shortly after he was drafted. He will be replaced primarily by Ryan Griffin in the passing game Analysis: Brian Poole will be an important player in this game. Bills TC reports and their preseason games have shown that the team intends to raise Josh Allen's completion percentage with throws to Cole Beasley over the middle of the field. Allen is somewhat inconsistent at throwing outside the numbers, but throws over the middle are the shortest throws on the field so they've been helping him by letting him hit those. We need Poole to make those tough, and we'll also need Mosley to show good awareness in zone coverage to take away whatever else comes across the middle. The good thing about that is that the Bills aren't exactly a team to take advantage of our one major weakness: boundary cornerback. We do have to be mindful of deep shots to new WR John Brown, but Allen's deep ball is relatively inconsistent despite his elite arm strength. Unlike ensuing matchups against Cleveland, New England and Philadelphia, I don't expect our CBs to get exposed in this game. I also think that our DL matches up very well with their OL. We shouldn't have a problem stopping the run, and we should get a decent interior rush as well. The key against Josh Allen is to flush him from the pocket and funnel him to the sideline. You don't want to let him run (because he will GASH you) and you don't want to let him sit in the pocket (as with any QB). But if you can force him to extend the play behind the line of scrimmage, you dramatically increase his chances of making a stupid mistake. He trusts his arm strength way too much and if you can get him on the move he might just throw you the ball. One last point: we've seen what Andre Roberts can do and we'll need to be mindful of him. I don't want to give the Bills cheap field position through big returns; make Allen earn everything. Hopefully retained STC Brant Boyer remembers how explosive Roberts was here. On the other side, the Bills have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Moving the ball will be tough, especially without Chris Herndon. I expect White to do a good job against Anderson, so I think the inside passing game to Crowder and Bell/Montgomery will be crucial. Hopefully we have an advantage in that the Bills have no tape of our offense to study, though they did face a Gase offense twice a year when he was with Miami. Time to see whether Darnold's great offseason will translate to Sundays. Prediction: I'm expecting a somewhat ugly, low-scoring game. But you seriously think I'd pick us to lose? Jets 27 - Bills 17
Great write up! I'll be in attendance as is tradition. Nothing better than week long tailgate prep, getting to the lot by 9AM and getting the day underway.
I have noticed Gase using a lot of two tight end formation in pre-season. I don’t expect that to change, he’s going to wear out the defense and use play action to get Robbie some deep shots, I also believe it will help Bell with his patient running style. I’m hoping Williams doesn’t go into Rex Ryan Blitz mode all game, I would like to see this D-Line, get to Allen with 4 man pass rush, the occasional LB blitz and allow our safeties to provide help for our CB’s. I hope we find a kicker before next week, this guy is going to cost us a game or two if he is kept on the roster.
Great post. Thank the lord it's nearly time for Real football to return. Jets 28-Bills 14. Big games from Crowder, Anderson and Bell. Allen to throw us the ball a couple of times, a pick six in there too. Lets go Jets!!
I don’t see any team that plans on using the short middle of the field in the passing game moving the ball much against us. I’d expect Adams to have a big day this game. On offense, crowder,bell and Montgomery will be effective. Sam will be efficient even if there are any long pass plays. Give me the jets 24-10. 3 tds for the jets and 3 2 pt conversions as we just say fuck using a kicker.
@Big Cat Great write up. Here is an offer for you. Can you start all Game Threads like this going forward?
They probably won’t be as in depth considering I usually pay extra attention to the week 1 opponent all offseason once the schedule comes out, but I can try something similar
I understand. It doesn't have to be as detailed. Just a few pointers about the game and your own prediction should suffice. Thanks young blood. Jets future is in good hands.
If the Jets can't win this game it's easy to see them starting off the season in a hole too big to climb out of. Can opening day be a must win? In the NFL, you bet, and this is one of those for anyone who has playoff hopes for this team.
Anything is possible, but it's more likely that if they can't beat Buffalo they'll do even worse against a much better Cleveland team. I view it as being as much about an indication of how good the team is as being further on the road to 10 wins. You've been quite consistent about this, but in my view little has happened in calendar year 2019 that particularly supports this. I will give you major probs if it happens.
I agree our odds are better against the Bills than the Browns, but I wouldn't read too much into what happens against the Bills, win or lose.
I'm ready to see this 2019-2020 team take the field. I don't know how to predict the season but heading in I'm excited to see this team compete. We need this home opener against a divisional Buffalo team. If it's true about our schedule being so difficult out the gates, well then, we can not afford to not win this game. In Sam I trust. 1-0 is the goal.
Great post, @Big Cat! Can't wait until next Sunday! It is pretty exciting. So much mystery on how the Jets will look on offense and defense. I am interested to see how Josh Allen looks too. Should be a fun one. I can't even tell if it will be an offensive or defensive game. I know Buffalo as a solid defense. I'll say 37-23 Jets!
