The New York Jets have a chance to wrap up a playoff berth and complete one of the greatest turnarounds in franchise history with a win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon. Standing in the way is their old friend, Rex Ryan, who would love nothing more than to spoil the postseason hopes of his ex-employer.
Jets vs. Bills 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Rex Ryan and the Bills have a chance to spoil the Jets’ postseason hopes.
One year removed from a 4-12 mess, the Jets are 10-5 and on the brink of their first postseason appearance since 2010. Thanks to their stunning win over the New England Patriots last Sunday, the Jets now control their own destiny and have a simple clinching scenario for Week 17: All they have to do is beat the Bills in Buffalo to end their four-year playoff drought.
A victory would also give them their first six-game win streak within a season since 1998. Even more impressive, it would mark an incredible seven-win gain compared to 2014, their best year-over-year improvement since 1997 when Bill Parcells went 9-7 after inheriting a 1-15 disaster. Todd Bowles would also become the fourth straight Jets head coach to take the team to the playoffs in his inaugural season, following in the footsteps of Ryan, Eric Mangini and Herm Edwards.
While New York's defense has been its usual dominant self, the key to the Jets' resurgence is a surprisingly effective offense. Led by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the league's most productive receiving duo, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, they are on pace to rank in the top 10 in both scoring and total offense for the first time since that magical 1998 season.
Marshall set the Jets’ single-season receptions mark last Sunday, and is on the verge of rewriting the franchise record books again this week. He is one touchdown shy of the receiving touchdowns record set by Art Powell in 1960 and later matched by Don Maynard in 1965. He also needs just 59 yards to surpass Maynard’s 48-year-old record for the most receiving yardage in a season. Decker has complemented him with 977 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, including the game-winner against the Patriots.
Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, is proving to be one of the top acquisitions by any team this offseason. His next touchdown pass will make him the first Jets quarterback to throw 30 in a season, and with 3,724 passing yards, he has a chance to break Joe Namath’s franchise record of 4,007 set in 1967. Fitzpatrick has been at his best during the Jets’ current five-game win streak, averaging 305 yards with 13 touchdowns and just one interception in that span.
The Bills might be out of postseason contention, but this game is far from meaningless in Buffalo. Ryan would savor the opportunity to knock the Jets out of the playoffs and complete the season sweep of his former team. Also, his current club has a chance to achieve something that hasn’t been done in Western New York for a decade and half. With a win, they can secure back-to-back non-losing seasons for the first time since 1999-2000.
How to watch
When: 1 p.m. ET Sunday
Where: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo
TV: CBS
Commentators: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn
Online: Watch NFL Live
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