The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets square off in Monday Night Football NFL Week 1 action at MetLife Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Buffalo Bills Betting Preview
The Buffalo Bills won a third straight division title and made the playoffs for a fourth straight season, but they underachieved with a second round exit. The Bills were the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl last season, and it feels like a wasted opportunity with the AFC East getting even better. Coach Sean McDermott returns for a seventh season and the Bills will remain a title contender with Josh Allen at quarterback. The Bills have the third-best Super Bowl odds, behind the Chiefs and Eagles, at most books. The Bills have a solid offensive line and a great 1-2 receiver punch with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. The Bills defense is what’s let them down in the playoffs over the years, and there’s a massive hole at linebacker with no more Tremaine Edmunds. The Bills secondary, however, has arguably the best safety duo in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. There’s still hope for the Bills, but the way they let their fans down in the playoffs time and time again, even going back to 4 straight Super Bowl losses, has you feeling like it's going to forever be the same old Bills.
Buffalo Bills Team Facts
- The Bills have won eight of their last nine games.
- The Bills have covered the spread in each of their last four Week 1 games against AFC East opponents.
- The Bills have scored the first touchdown in nine of their last 10 games against AFC East opponents.
- The Bills have lost the first quarter in each of their last two games as road favorites.
- The home team has won the first half in seven of the Bills' last eight Week 1 games.
Buffalo Bills Player Prop Facts
- Dawson Knox has scored a touchdown in each of the Bills' last four regular season games.
- Josh Allen ranked T2nd in the NFL in Passing Touchdowns (35) last season
New York Jets Betting Preview
The New York Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, which is now the longest playoff drought in pro sports. The Jets hope things change with the addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as the future Hall of Fame and 10 time Pro Bowler brings over more than 59,000 yards and 475 passing touchdowns. The addition alone put the Jets in the top-10 for Super Bowl odds and makes them threats to win their first division since 2002. Receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb reunite with Rodgers and provide a more balanced offense to go with Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. Defensively, the Jets were fourth in scoring and total defense last year, and you could argue things will get better with the addition of Will McDonald. The Jets have a talented pass rushing core and one of the best young corners in the league in Sauce Gardner. The Jets are just another team in the stacked AFC that could make a run toward Vegas in February if things break right.
New York Jets Team Facts
- The Jets have lost 14 of their last 15 games in September.
- The Jets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven home games in September.
- The Jets have lost the first quarter in eight of their last nine September games against AFC opponents.
- The Jets have lost the first half in 11 of their last 12 September games as underdogs.
- Each of the Jets' last seven games against AFC opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
New York Jets Player Prop Facts
- Breece Hall has scored a touchdown in each of his last four appearances.
- Dalvin Cook ranked 6th in the NFL in Rushing Yards (1173) last season
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jets ranked 1st in the AFC East for total yards allowed per game last season (311.1)
- The Jets ranked 1st in the AFC for total yards allowed per game last season (311.1)
- The Bills ranked 32nd in the NFL in total punt yards (2146) last season
- The Bills ranked 1st in the AFC East for points scored per game last season (28.4)
Randy’s Pick
The Bills are getting the benefit of the doubt because they've been the team to beat in the AFC these last few years. However, the short line ells me the Jets are probably the play here. It's at home, Rodgers will be eager to set the tone early, and that Jets defense gave Allen issues last season. In two games, Allen had a combined 1 touchdown pass and 2 interceptions on 55.7 percent pass completions. There's going to be a lot of energy in the air on Monday night, especially in New York on September 11. This just feels like a spot where the Jets come out on fire and get a big win. I'll grab the point and a half.
