The New York Jets are looking for a second straight victory at home on Thursday night. (Getty)
The New York Jets are “just another opponent.” At least according to Rex Ryan.
The first-year Buffalo Bills coach returns to MetLife Stadium for the first time on Thursday night, squaring off against his former team in a big-time divisonal matchup for both squads. But while the game itself is certainly important, Ryan refuses to put any other pressure on his squad when they make their way to the field. Talk about a change of pace for Ryan.
“I promise you, it’s just another opponent right now,” he said. “Now will that change when I’m there? That’s a possibility. But I can tell you this — it’s all about, you’re playing another team. And I know about that team really well.”
Both the Bills and the Jets are coming off victories, but Buffalo could really use another win to stay in the midst of the division standings. Kickoff for Thursday night’s tilt is slated for 8:25 p.m. ET. Here’s everything you need to know about the game’s betting information, per OddsShark:
Game Info
Rex Ryan returns to MetLife Stadium for the first time after heading to Buffalo as the Bills new head coach. (Getty)
Line: New York -3
Moneyline: Buffalo +145, New York -170
Over/Under: 44.5
What To Watch For
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may undergo surgery on his thumb after Thursday night’s game. (Getty)
The New York Jets held on for a much-needed victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, but the win was far from perfect. In fact, a big part of the reason Gang Green was even able to walk off the field with a ‘w’ was because the Jaguars turned the ball over three times in the final 5:16 of regulation.
Still, a win is a win and the Jets offense showed sparks of life, despite a string of injuries that had bogged down the squad throughout the week.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is still very much dealing with the torn ligament in his non-throwing thumb and alluded to the chance that he might undergo in-season surgery on Friday.
Fitzpatrick didn’t seem too hampered by the injury last week, playing with a glove on his left hand, but it will be interesting to see how he plays on a short week. Add into the mix that wideouts Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are still dealing with their own injury tweaks and this offense could still be a bit of a work in progress on Thursday night.