THE STORY: The Jets backed into the playoffs last week despite losing a wild one at Chicago 38-34. The once-vaunted New York defense is ranked 19th in the NFL in scoring and was torched for three touchdown passes by Jay Cutler and 113 yards rushing by Matt Forte. New York will be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the playoffs and be on the road for their playoff opener at a destination to be determined. Buffalo had its two-game winning streak snapped by the Patriots 34-3 last week. Any hopes the Bills had of playing spoiler in the game were wiped out early as Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes.
TV: 1 p.m. EST, CBS
OPENING LINE: Jets -3, O/U 35.5
WEATHER: Showers and mild conditions with temperatures in the 40s.
ABOUT THE JETS (10-5): New York reached the playoffs for the second straight year after Jacksonville lost to Washington last week. So instead of worrying about needing to win their regular-season finale at home against Buffalo on Sunday, the Jets (10-5) already are in. Coach Rex Ryan had suggested he might rest quarterback Mark Sanchez, who is dealing with a sore shoulder. But Ryan then quickly hedged on his statement. "Obviously, his health is the No. 1 concern," Ryan said. "I'm kind of in that fine line because he is hot right now and we can't afford for him to take a dip. We need him to stay at this level. So, those are things we'll definitely consider. I don't want to say 100 percent that he's out or he's in, to be honest with you, but that's kind of what I'm weighing right now."
ABOUT THE BILLS (4-11): The Bills rank 27th in scoring offense and 25th in scoring defense, certainly not a good combination. But for all their problems this year, what will go down as the most worrisome is the running game. Buffalo drafted C.J. Spiller to help the cause but he has been ineffective and the Bills rank last in the NFL in rushing. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick accounted for five of Buffalo’s seven turnovers last week.
WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis admitted he was surprised that he was named to the Pro Bowl this season. Revis has allowed three touchdown receptions this season, one more than he did all of last season. However, he hasn't permitted a score since Denver's Demaryius Thomas beat him for a touchdown on Oct. 17. Bills receiver Steve Johnson went over 1,000 yards receiving last game but has caught just one touchdown pass in his last five games. He’ll most likely draw Revis’ attention.
QUARTERBACKS: Mark Brunell has not started a game since 2006. While the Jets debated whether using the veteran earlier in the season while Sanchez went through serious struggles, Ryan opted against it. Ryan may treat this like a preseason game and start Sanchez before switching to Brunell. Brunell has thrown one pass this season and was 15 for 30 last season while backing up Drew Brees. His last start was in 2006 while playing for the Redskins. Fitzpatrick has become the fan’s choice in Buffalo. He’s made 13 starts, going 4-9. He’s thrown for exactly 3,000 yards with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His passer rating is 81.8 better than that of Sanchez (75.3).
RECENT HISTORY: The Jets have won four of the last five meetings, including earlier in the season at Buffalo when LaDainian Tomlinson and Dustin Keller both scored twice in a 38-14 blowout.
KEY INJURIES: Buffalo Bills: Geoff Hangartner C (knee); David Nelson WR (ribs); Shawn Nelson TE (migraine); Cord Howard T (shoulder). Jets: Eric Smith S (concussion); Trevor Pryce DE (hip); James Ihedigbo DB (knee); Mark Sanchez QB (shoulder); Damien Woody T (knee).
LAST WORD: Whether Sanchez or Brunell lines up under center may have little bearing on the outcome of the game. The Jets ran for 5.6 yards per carry against the Bills in their Week 4 meeting and Nick Mangold thoroughly dominated nose tackle Kyle Williams of Buffalo. The Bills actually switched their defensive philosophy from a 3-4 base to a 4-3 after that game.