Week Seven Preview: Jets Hoping to Aviod Another Buffalo Blowout

As the Jets get set to host the Buffalo Bills for the second time this season, Gang Green looks to avoid yet another double-digit loss in a season that has already featured five such contests with many more likely to come.  Sam Darnold is expected to return from a shoulder injury as is rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton.  Can the return of multiple key players help the Jets keep this one close?  Here’s a look at some key matchups.

Gase says Darnold looks good, trending toward starting Sunday. “Everything looks normal.” Barring setback today, he’s good to go, per Gase. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 23, 2020

LT Mekhi Becton vs Edge Jerry Hughes:

Hughes gives up a ton of weight to Becton but is still a pass rusher with enough quickness to challenge the rookie left tackle who is returning from a shoulder injury.  Expect Hughes to challenge Becton to the outside early on to see how he holds up.  If Becton is 100%, this is a matchup in which he should fare well, giving Sam Darnold more time to work from the pocket.

WR Breshad Perriman vs Bills Cornerbacks:

Tradavius White isn’t a lock to play and Josh Norman is out for the Bills.  With that being the case, Perriman could see some opportunities to make some big plays.  Perriman was able to get behind some quality Dolphins cornerbacks last week but a heavily pressured Joe Flacco wasn’t able to take advantage of it.  With Darnold and Becton back, could we see that change?

WR Jamison Crowder vs CB Taron Johnson:

Crowder has been one of the NFL’s top slot receivers in 2020 and should be able to get open against Taron Johnson when the two go head-to-head.  With Crowder operating out of the slot running shorter routes than the aforementioned Perriman, he could see plenty of targets if the Jets are struggling in pass protection.

LG Josh Andrews vs DT Ed Oliver:

This is where things could get ugly for the Jets.  Andrews, a career backup who has never started an NFL game is expected to step in for the injured Alex Lewis.  With Ed Oliver on the interior for Buffalo, look for the Bills to do all they can to exploit this matchup.  Welcome to life as a starter, Mr. Andrews.

CB Brian Poole vs WR Cole Beasley:

Poole has been playing at a high level of late and Beasley is one of Josh Allen’s favorite targets.  If the Jets manage to get any pressure on Allen which is a possibility with Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers in the middle of their defense, Beasley is going to have to work overtime against the stingy Poole.

Predicion:

More struggles for the Jets on both offense and defense as the Bills run away with this one by a final score of 31-7.

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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