It’s hard to know exactly how the opening weekend of the 2019 NFL season will shake out. Players, coaches and mentalities have all changed over the past nine months and everything is fair game in Week 1.
But for the Jets’ season opener against the Bills, a lot of major forces remain the same. Sam Darnold takes on Josh Allen for the second time in their young careers, Robby Anderson will match up with Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White and even Adam Gase stayed in the AFC East, meaning he’ll surely know a lot of the Bills’ tendencies during his time with the Dolphins.
Here are four things to know for the Jets’ Week 1 bout with the Bills.
Turnovers will play a role
The Jets were 3-0 when their defense forced at least two turnovers in 2018, while the Bills were 0-10 when they turned the ball over at least twice. If the Jets can find ways to take away the football, they’ll put themselves in a better position to win.
Gregg Williams has already proven to be an aggressive defensive coordinator and pressuring Bills quarterback Josh Allen early could be a key to keeping Buffalo’s offense off the field. Allen turned the ball over 13 times during his rookie season (12 interceptions and one fumble lost), while the Bills as a team finished the season with 32 giveaways.
With a porous secondary, it will be paramount for the quartet of Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams, Steve McClendon and Henry Anderson to apply pressure early and often to the Bills’ offensive line.
Sam Darnold will have an easier time in the slot
With a bevy of new offensive weapons and a brand new offense, the Jets and Darnold should target the slot if they want to be successful against the Bills’ potent pass defense in Week 1. Buffalo allowed the fewest passing yards per game in 2018 with 179.2, and in their previous two meetings, the Jets only mustered 116 passing yards from Josh McCown and 170 from Sam Darnold.
The Bills ranked sixth in defensive DVOA against receivers out wide in 2018 while finishing 11th against the slot, according to Football Outsiders. With Robby Anderson lining up against one of the better cover corners in the NFL in Week 1 in the Bill’s Tre’Davious White, Darnold will have an easier time completing passes when he targets players like Jamison Crowder, Le’Veon Bell and Ty Montgomery. Adam Gase also loves his quarterbacks throwing into the slot.
Bills WR John Brown likes the deep ball
If there’s a player the Jets should look to stop, it’s wide receiver John Brown. The veteran made a name for himself with his speed and ability to make long receptions. The Jets can’t allow Allen to find Brown down the field and give up big plays on offense.
Allen has a proclivity to throw to big-play receivers and Brown averaged 17 yards per reception in 2018 – fifth in the league. Robert Foster, who was one of Allen’s favorite targets down the stretch in 2018, averaged 20.44 yards per reception over the final seven games of the season. Gregg Williams must gameplan for Brown with his lackluster secondary.
Bills aren’t great at sacking the quarterback
The Jets upgraded their offensive line this offseason to protect Sam Darnold, and they shouldn’t have a problem against the Bills front seven. Buffalo finished 2018 with the seventh-fewest sacks in the league at 36 and only hit the quarterback 87 times – 12th worst.
While the Jets offensive line never played a preseason snap together, the unit should be okay as long as they can hold rookie Ed Oliver in the middle. He’s the one wildcard of the bunch considering he was drafted to replace Kyle Williams. But between the additions of center Ryan Kalil and guard Kelechi Osemele, Darnold should be fine behind the line.
