Using props and zingers, Rex Ryan puts on a show in Buffalo

And Rex Ryan plans to attend the Tigers’ game at Syracuse on Saturday. Maybe the Bills head coach isn’t overlooking the Jets, but is simply saying that he understands that the division goes through the Patriots and that they have to win head-to-head in order to have a shot in the division.

As if the midseason showdown between two AFC East rivals needed any more prime-time buzz, Ryan found a way to up the ante to no one’s surprise – including the Jets. The head coach may not be the only Bill to receive that type of reception.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – After six seasons in NY, Rex Ryan is proving his colorful one-man show can be a hit off Broadway, too.

Now, Enemkpali is one of the captains Thursday because he formerly played for the Jets, but the reason this choice is creating buzz involves the circumstances surrounding Enemkpali’s departure from NY.

In other news, LeSean McCoy might be back in the infirmary this week. And the quarterback situation?

“He’s always a tough defense to go against and he does a great job”, said Fitzpatrick of Ryan.

He also has trotted out a few new tricks. They have had a change-of-pace run game with a QB who can scramble. Last week prior to Buffalo’s contest against Miami, the audacious head coach handed captain duties to tight end Charles Clay, kicker Dan Carpenter and offensive lineman Richie Incognito, all former members of the Dolphins.

On the season, the Buffalo Bills average 216.7 yards in passing and 123.9 yards in rushing.

“It’s not a slap in anybody’s face”, Ryan said.

At 10:58 a.m. Tuesday, shortly after Ryan took the podium in Buffalo wearing a Clemson helmet – Ryan’s son is a walk-on receiver for the top-ranked Clemson football team – Pryor Tweeted, “The guy does anything for attention” with a snoring emoji. “I came to win”. But if Ryan has anything right now in Buffalo, it’s time. But naming him a team captain? The Patriots signal-caller is 11-4 against Ryan extending back to when the coach was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator. The passing game under Taylor (and, briefly, Manuel when Taylor suffered a knee injury) hasn’t put up a ton of yards itself, but the 13 passing touchdowns it has produced are middle-of-the-road. Bills lead series, 57-51. Teams get an automatic 15 yards on every return. Ryan said, before noting Pryor played at Louisville. His probable replacement is Marcus Williams, who has a team-high four interceptions. Still, it’s hard to imagine Ryan reacting any differently to the penalty situation – he can spin things to his favor better than anyone in the NFL.

Ryan might have saved his best material for what could be his most emotional week of the season.

At this point, Bowles should only wish Ryan’s shenanigans were his most pressing issues.

It’s Rex Ryan’s return to the place where he became one of the NFL’s biggest headline-makers with his showman style and brash and bold approach. So how can he claim the meeting means nothing to him?