Four Factors That Could Affect Outcome in Jets' MNF Opener
These two AFC East division rivals split the season series last year with the New York Jets adequately containing Buffalo Bills' dual threat quarterback Josh Allen.
While Allen is back for the Bills, the Jets added four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers as the cornerstone of their offseason offensive makeover. Although not as immediately noticeable as the changes made by Gang Green, Buffalo also experienced some turnover on both its roster and coaching staff.
The differences between 2022 and 2023 will be on display when the two teams clash in the September 11 season opener on Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium.
After examining all that has transpired since the last time the Jets and the Bills met in December, I've identified four factors — two for each team — that could affect the outcome in the Week 1 primetime matchup.
Each of the four factors represent some type of change from last year.
Jets' Front Five Chemistry
The good news is that starting offensive tackles Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton are both available to start the season and that was not the case in 2022.
On paper, the Green & White offensive line looks formidable with the interior consisting of left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Connor McGovern and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker flanked by the two aforementioned bookends.
The main worry, however, lies in the fact that Brown did not begin practicing until recently and the full five-man group has yet to take a snap together in a game. In addition, Becton's switch from second-team left tackle to first-team right tackle is less than one month old.
"But those guys have worked really well together," said offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett shouting out some assistant coaches on Friday in Florham Park. "I think Keith [Carter] has done a great job. Ben [Wilkerson], Billy [Vandemerkt], all those guys in that room have done a really fine job getting them [the offensive linemen] ready. We will see how it goes on game day."
Despite the talent level coupled with meeting room progress, it's overly ambitious to expect the unit to be completely cohesive in time for Monday night. They can still prevent Rodgers from getting crushed, but they almost definitely won't be operating as a well-oiled machine the first time out. The Jets can certainly benefit from a quickly jelling o-line during their brutal six-game season-opening stretch.
LT Duane Brown during Jets' OTAs
© Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com
Bills' New Defensive Play Caller
He's new in the sense that he's not Leslie Frazier, but head coach Sean McDermott is no stranger to defensive play calling. The Bills' boss decided to take over the additional duties after Frazier announced that he was stepping away from the team.
Prior to earning his first head coaching job with the Bills in 2017, McDermott spent six years as the Carolina Panthers' defensive coordinator. Before landing in Carolina, he worked for the Philadelphia Eagles for 10 years, the last two as the DC.
"Sean is, obviously, an unbelievable defensive mind," said Saleh. "Obviously, there is going to be new wrinkles. You try to figure out what he has done when he was a play caller and you try to study as much as you can, but there is going to be wrinkles. There is going to be unscouted looks."
The signs point to a higher blitz rate and an increased emphasis on applying pressure.
McDermott was an NFC defensive coordinator for eight seasons while Rodgers was in Green Bay, so he knows what he's up against in his first game as the Bills' defensive play caller.
"They’re not easing me in, that’s for sure. [Rodgers] he’s a big challenge," said Buffalo's seventh-year head coach. "They’re a good football team overall. It’ll be a big challenge for us at their place, in particular."
READ Season Opener vs. Bills: What to Expect and How to Watch
Expanded Roles on Gang Green
Free safety Tony Adams and linebacker Jamien Sherwood showed ample ability throughout OTAs and training camp, but the reality is that neither has taken a significant number of defensive snaps at the NFL level.
Adams, who made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2022, totaled only 118 plays on defense and did not earn his first start until the regular season finale. He was also a gameday active on six occasions.
Sherwood played all 17 games but almost exclusively in a special teams role. The safety-turned-linebacker registered only 25 defensive snaps in 2022.
Both players, however, made monumental offseason gains and appear to have the full endorsement of Saleh.
"[Sherwood] he’s grown, he’s gained some weight, so he looks like a linebacker, and he’s playing a lot more free," said Saleh.
As for Adams, his opportunity to win a starting job emerged when veteran Chuck Clark suffered a season-ending knee injury in June.
"You felt it last year with his mindset and the way he approached things, and then this year, when Chuck went down, he really went to another level," said Saleh.
Adams and Sherwood are likely to face a stiff challenge in pass coverage over the middle on Monday. Bills' tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid have the potential to find mismatches in that area of the field.
S Tony Adams
© Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo's Starting Offensive Guards
The Bills' offensive guards experienced their share of struggles last year, specifically in pass protection. Roger Saffold, who started at left guard, is gone and right guard Ryan Bates has way more value in a utility role as the primary backup to all three interior positions.
Eventually claiming the left and right starting spots, respectively, Connor McGovern (no relation to the Jets' center) signed as a free agent and O'Cyrus Torrence was the team's second-round draft pick out of Florida this past April.
"CyBo [Torrence] coming in as a young player and taking it one play at a time, having a workmanlike approach," said McDermott on how the rookie won the right guard job.
The Bills are hoping for improved performance at the positions, providing more time for Allen to operate comfortably. It'll be more than interesting to see how they hold up against the likes of All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams on Monday Night Football.
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