Bills vs. Jets Preview: Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers Battle on Monday Night

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will face off with New York Jets' four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers in the season opener on Monday Night Football.

The Buffalo Bills kick off their season in a star-studded showdown vs. the New York Jets on Monday night at MetLife Stadium. This prime time matchup is sure to excite with quarterback play between Buffalo's electric Josh Allen and New York's four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. 

Allen leads the NFL with 130 offensive touchdowns since 2020. Allen finished with 5,000-plus offensive yards and 40-plus touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. He is a main reason for Buffalo's resurgence in the AFC and looks to continue his dominance.

Additions to the Bills offense this season include Dalton Kincaid, Trent Sherfield, Deonte Harty, Damien Harris, Connor McGovern and O'Cyrus Torrence.

It's Cook vs. Cook on Monday. Buffalo running back James Cook knows a familiar face on the Jets sideline in his brother, Dalvin Cook. Last season, the brothers faced off when Dalvin played for the Minnesota Vikings. He finished with 119 rushing yards and scored one rushing touchdown in a thrilling 33-30 overtime win for the Vikings at Orchard Park.

One of the top defenses in the league last season, Buffalo looks to get after Cook and Rodgers to set the tone for the season. Buffalo allowed an average of 17.9 points per game (2nd) last season.

The Bills are three-time defending AFC East champions but are still hunting for their first-ever Super Bowl title. 

FUN FACT: In Monday night games, Allen has averaged a 70 completion percentage, 302 passing yards per game, 3.2 passing touchdowns per game and a 119.7 passer rating. He has thrown 16 passing touchdowns to just one interception in those five games.

RECORDS: Buffalo Bills (0-0) at New York Jets (0-0)

ODDS: Buffalo is a 2.5-point favorite vs. the Jets 

GAME TIME: Monday, September 11th, 2023 at 7:15 p.m. ET

LOCATION: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV/RADIO: ESPN • NEXSTAR, WGR 550

THE FINAL WORD: Coach Sean McDermott praised center Mitch Morse:

“Mitch is one of the first guys in the building every morning … whether the players are in or not he’ll come in for an a.m. breakfast just to kind of dip his toe in the water,” McDermott said. “He’s been a great leader for us over the past few years in particular and he’s just a real steady hand.”

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