Bills receiver Sammy Watkins active for game against Jets

Rex Ryan’s past and future meet once again tonight, as the Jets travel to western NY and take on their former coach’s Bills. They’ve punted on Ryan’s future, allowing him to hire his brother as one last show of faith. He will have to do so while their star wideout continues to deal with a nagging foot.

This one is big for both teams, as an 0-2 start would be a disaster for either one of them. To his credit, QB Tyrod Taylor still isn’t making many mistakes. LeSean McCoy loves to bounce it outside on sweeps and counters. Watkins caught just four passes for 43 yards in the season opener but intends to play despite a sore foot. Charles Clay (knee) is also questionable for tonight, while left tackle Cordy Glenn (ankle) has been ruled out against the Jets. Regardless of where the Bills lean on, from an offensive standpoint, the defense will need to step up to contain Fitzpatrick.

But when asked if he had Fitzpatrick’s number, Ryan offered, “I respect what he’s done”.

The Jets’ defense played very well against a strong Bengals team. Rex may be lacking in an array of traits that make a consistently successful head coach, but he may well be the best at one thing: getting his players fired up, especially when the Jets come to town. That Jets offense, of course, features former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick who lost to Buffalo twice last season. “(If we) come out here this week and have a great game, you won’t even talk about last week”.

As the Bills gear up for kickoff, special guest Darius Rucker will take the field to sing the national anthem before a sold out crowd.

After Thursday, the Jets go on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by the Seahawks at home and back-to-back road trips to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals.

Nine months later, that defeat should provide fuel for the Jets. Still he sees an edge for the home team tonight. Jets players believe this is a more mature and more talented team than the 2015 version, and they might be right.

Who are the experts picking to win the game? The defense, which is usually an asset for the Jets was one of the main factors in their heartbreaking 23-22 loss to the Bengals. They do play Seattle tough, but this time they will fall and Seattle will win 30-10. The Tom Brady-less Patriots are already a game up on the field and if the Jets and/or the Bills are serious about ending their playoff absence this year they can not afford to fall a further game back. First regular-season game at New Era Field, which replaces Ralph Wilson Stadium, after Bills reached naming rights agreement with Buffalo-based New Era Cap Co.

“I think (our fans are) going to help”. Saying that doesn’t justify how poorly the Bills offense executed last Sunday, but a solid showing tonight would definitely take away some of the sting. In a week 10 matchup last season, McCoy finished the game with 112 yards rushing and 47 yards receiving. “I’m hoping he plays, and we’ll see”. In other words, if NY doesn’t get by Buffalo, the team may be staring at 0-6 before long – and watching playoff hopes fade away. I think ultimately Taylor trying to overcome Watkins foot issues will prove to be too hard.

Fantasy Impact: Taylor’s matchup with the Jets has led to him being the 26th-ranked quarterback by Yahoo! this week regarding fantasy projections. As far as the Jets offense is concerned I would be looking to start some of their major players. But for Decker and Fitzpatrick, it’s a consensus.

No team, no matter how disappointing, wants to replace its head coach and defensive coordinator on such short notice.

When all is said and done, I feel the Jets defense will be the difference, leading the team in green to the victory.