• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

November 11, 2015, Troy, New York  AFC East Division rivals the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets square off on the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football telecast.

The Bills are led by head coach, Rex Ryan. Ryan was fired after six seasons with the Jets. After a great start to his coaching career which began with back-to-back AFC Championship game appearances, the Jets missed the postseason in his final four seasons.

Ryan was a great motivator and a sound bite to a staid profession. He frequently made himself the center of attention with a larger than life personna. He has continued this routine in Buffalo by naming “Jaw Breaker” Joe Jackson as a captain for Thursday’s contest. Actually former Jets draft pick, IK Enemkpali was named a captain by Ryan and will represent the Bills at the coin toss. You might remember IK, for his altercation with then teammate and Jets QB Geno Smith over an unpaid debt from the offseason.

New Jets head coach Todd Bowles waived IK shortly thereafter, and he was picked up by the Bills. Bowles has proven to be the opposite of his loquacious predecessor leading the Jets to a 5-3 record, an improvement of their meager win total of 4 the previous season. Journeyman QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starter after Geno’s injury and has provided professionalism that was sorely missing at signal caller. The acquisition of mercurial WR Brandon Marshall has added a playmaking ability to their passing game. The Jets defense has remained a strength under Bowles, who was defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. His hiring is a homecoming of sorts as Bowles hails from Elizabeth, NJ.

The Bills enter the contest at 4-4 and are 2.5 point underdogs in this road game. Kickoff is 8:25 p.m. from MetLife Stadium.

By Vernon McKenzie

Graduate of New Institute Of Technology with a BA in Communications with a focus on Television Radio. Owner and Executive Producer of PureSportsNY

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