The Buffalo Bills, already heading to the playoffs, are not happy with their recent performance.
It’s been four weeks since Buffalo secured its postseason spot, but the Bills know they need to improve as they prepare to face the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Buffalo (12-3) believes there’s room for improvement on both offense and defense after their game against the 3-12 Patriots last week. The Bills had most of their struggles on defense, as New England took a 14-0 lead and converted 7 of 12 third downs during the game.
Buffalo was able to pull off a 24-21 win after allowing 24 consecutive points, but Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich wants to make sure the Jets (4-11) don’t have an easy time extending drives.
“Certainly we’re not where we need to be or where we want to be, and we’re constantly looking to get that corrected,” Babich said about the Bills’ third-down defense. “It’s a combination of us putting our players, and me specifically, putting the players in position to be successful and understand how they’re going to get attacked.”
The Bills also want to get wide receiver Amari Cooper more involved. Since being acquired from the Cleveland Browns in October, Cooper has caught 17 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown in seven games with Buffalo. He only had one catch for 10 yards against the Patriots.
“We’re better when Amari Cooper is out on the football field,” said Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. “I got to do a better job of getting the ball in his hands, because he helps us.”
While the Bills focus on their playoff push, the Jets are looking to end a disappointing season.
New York once had hopes of winning the AFC East, but those dreams were crushed by the Bills, who dominated the division. A 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last weekend dropped the Jets to 1-5 in their last six games, but linebacker Jamien Sherwood believes finishing strong is still important.
“There are only two weeks (remaining). There is no reason for anybody to be checked out,” Sherwood said. “You have two full weeks of football left and preparation and go out there and put your best tape on the line. These final moments in seasons like this show what type of person you are and what type of player you are.”
The Jets’ remaining hopes were affected earlier this week when veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers said his future with the Jets is uncertain.
On “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, Rodgers joked that Jets owner Woody Johnson’s teenage sons, Brick and Jack, might cut him after the season. This followed reports that Johnson gets advice from his sons, who may not want Rodgers back in 2025.
“You should ask Woody,” Rodgers said when asked if he thought Johnson wanted to keep the 41-year-old quarterback next season.
Rodgers is dealing with a knee injury but would have practiced in full on Wednesday if the Jets had held a session. Wide receiver Davante Adams (hip), offensive linemen Morgan Moses (knee) and Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), and cornerbacks Michael Carter II (back) and Sauce Gardner (hamstring) would have missed practice.
Buffalo also didn’t practice on Wednesday, and their injury report was an estimate. Five Bills were listed as limited, including safety Damar Hamlin (rib) and linebacker Matt Milano (biceps, groin).
