Bills-Jets numbers to know: These 4 stats could shape Buffalo's game in New Jersey

Bills-Jets numbers to know: These 4 stats could shape Buffalo's game in New Jersey

Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman may be covered by Jets top cornerback Sauce Gardner, who's dealing with a groin injury.

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37.1​

The Jets threw the ball on 37.1% of their snaps in Week 1, the lowest rate among any NFL team. They rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries, with running back Breece Hall gaining 107 yards on 19 carries. If this is a close game Sunday, New York can lean on the run the way it did in its 34-32 loss to the Steelers.


New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields started six games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
Noah K. Murray, Associated Press

9.2​

Jets quarterback Justin Fields averaged 9.22 yards per pass attempt, tied for the highest mark in the NFL in Week 1, according to Next Gen Stats. Fields completed 19 of 22 passes for 218 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown to his top receiver, Garrett Wilson. Fields had just one throw travel more than 20 yards, a trend that the Jets would like to continue. Fields has above average arm strength, but the coaching staff wants to give him shorter throws to sustain long drives.

3​

After using a sixth offensive lineman more than any other team in 2024, the Bills deployed their jumbo package for just three plays in Week 1. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady explained that their 12 second-and-long plays, and they were out of rhythm in the first half, as reasons. Alec Anderson's usage will vary week to week, Brady added. Last season, the Bills averaged 5.06 yards per carry in their jumbo package.


Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman makes a catch against Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
Derek Gee, Buffalo News

54.5​

Of Bills receiver Keon Coleman's 11 targets in Week 1, 54.5% were 10-19 yards from the line of scrimmage, according to Next Gen Stats. He caught five passes for 88 yards and one touchdown in that area of the field. During his rookie season in 2024, just 28.1% of Coleman's targets were in that range, as he caught 10 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown. It's a trend to watch Sunday afternoon, when Coleman may be covered by Jets top cornerback Sauce Gardner, who's dealing with a groin injury.

 

[HipKat]

4 keys for the Buffalo Bills to beat the New York Jets​

4 keys for the Buffalo Bills to beat the New York Jets

Josh Allen has made a concerted effort to keep the ball out of opponents’ hands, but the Jets defense is always a test.

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1. Keep it clean. Bills quarterback Josh Allen has had 18 turnovers against the Jets in his career, which is the most turnovers by an individual player against one opponent since 2018. But last year, Allen was clean against the Jets, making it through the two meetings without a turnover. If he can keep up that streak, it bodes well for the Bills, who did not have any turnovers last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Allen has made a concerted effort to keep the ball out of opponents’ hands, but the Jets defense is always a test. Allen can’t let past games get in his head, and he should be in a much better position to keep the offense on the field.


Bills quarterback Josh Allen didn't turn the ball over last week against the Ravens. He needs a repeat performance Sunday vs. the Jets.
Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News

2. Slow the run game. The Bills got gashed last week by the Ravens, who picked up 238 yards on the ground. “And no one in the defensive room thinks anything of that nature was acceptable,” said Buffalo defensive coordinator Bobby Babich. “… So we need to get those things corrected, and we will.” Of course, no other team in the NFL boasts Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, but the Jets still present a unique challenge. They had 182 rushing yards last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jets running back Breece Hall had 107 yards on 19 carries last week, his most since Week 6 last year against the Buffalo Bills, when he picked up 113 rushing yards on 18 carries.

3. Gel quickly on special teams. The Bills brought in a new punter this week after they were not pleased with Brad Robbins’ performance in Week 1. Now, it’s up to Cameron Johnston to punt and hold. He joined the Bills on Tuesday, so he’s had a little more time to acclimate than kicker Matt Prater did last week. Prater is now officially on the 53-man roster. He had previous experience practicing with Robbins from their respective Michigan days, which helped seal the game-winning kick last Sunday. Now, the Bills will have to hope that Prater and Johnston build rapport with long snapper Reid Ferguson quickly ahead of a game that could come down to the margins.

4. See who makes an impact on the defensive line. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver is out this week with an ankle injury, a blow to the team after his dynamic season-opening performance. With Oliver sidelined, the rest of the defensive line will have to step up in his absence. The group is already thin with ongoing suspensions for defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and defensive end Michael Hoecht. Rookie T.J. Sanders, who played 16 snaps last week, has “attacked this week,” according to veteran DaQuan Jones. Jones also said Oliver “can’t be replaced,” but “everyone knows what we have to do: We have to pick up our game a little bit more with Ed being out.”