Bills vs. Jets: 3 Players to Watch Not Named Aaron Rodgers or Josh Allen
Football is finally back for the Buffalo Bills, and they'll be met with a stiff test right off the bat in the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets on Monday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. at MetLife Stadium.
The two teams split their season series last year, with the Jets winning the first meeting 20-17 and Buffalo winning the second matchup 20-12. Now the Jets figure to be much improved with the addition of Rodgers at quarterback and a still elite defense. For all of the hype surrounding New York, the Bills have won the AFC East three straight years and still sit atop the division until someone knocks them off.
Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs have to lead the way, but who else needs to step up for the Bills if they're going to begin the season 1-0? Here are three key players for Buffalo if they're going to knock off the Jets.
WR Gabe Davis
Stopping Diggs will be a focal point for the Jets' defense, and they'll likely lean heavily on Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner to do that. That could leave an opening for Gabriel Davis to step up. If Allen is going to find success through the air, he'll need Davis to make big plays.
Across two games against New York, Davis had five catches for 62 yards. That likely won't cut it for a Buffalo offense that needs to keep pace with Rodgers.
If Davis can consistently get open and make plays, it'll stress out the New York defense and lead to even more openings for Allen and the Bills.
© Mark Konezny, USA TODAY
RB James Cook
The Jets possess one of the best pass rushes in football. Asking Allen to sit in the pocket and throw the ball 35-plus times won't be a recipe for success.
New York sacked Allen eight times across two games last season, which was the most by any team. In the first game alone, the Jets had eight quarterback hits and five sacks.
The Bills need to have balance on offense. That starts with the running game and James Cook.
The second-year running back should have 10 to 15 carries and be a factor in the passing game. Having Cook or other running backs be a consistent factor will help slow down the Jets' ferocious pass rush and give Allen more time to make plays.
DE Greg Rousseau
The best way to keep Aaron Rodgers from finding success is to put him on his back. With an unproven offensive line, the Bills pass rush will have their chances to get after him.
They'll need third-year defense end Gregory Rousseau to lead the charge. Whether it's lining up against Mekhi Becton or Duane Brown, Rousseau needs to be around Rodgers consistently and make him uncomfortable.
Rousseau had two sacks in the Bills' last meeting against the Jets. A similar performance would be what the doctor ordered.
No pass rush will lead to Rodgers putting together a vintage performance. But if Rousseau and the Bills' other pass rushers are consistently pressuring Rodgers, it could lead to mistakes that can swing the game in their favor.
