Bills At Jets: When New York Has The Ball

(Sports Network) – Running the ball effectively has been a late-season go-to for the Jets, who are sixth in the league with their average of 139.9 rushing yards per game. New York has slipped to 19th in scoring average (21.9 ppg) and is middle of the pack in terms of total yards per game (348.5, 13th) and passing yards per game (208.7, 20th). Ominously, the Bills have yielded the league’s most ground to opposing runners (162.5 ypg), and their 25.8 points per game average is good for just 27th in the league. Foes have gained an average of 359.8 total yards (24th overall) and 197.3 pass yards (4th) per week as well.

Mark Sanchez is 209 passing yards from becoming the first Jet with 3,500 in a season since Vinny Testaverde in 2000. In his last two games against Buffalo, he has three touchdown throws, no interceptions and a 100.9 passer rating. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson had 133 yards and two touchdowns in New York’s win over the Bills earlier this season and averages 100.8 yards in six career games against them, along with six touchdowns. Wideout Santonio Holmes caught the 25th touchdown pass of his career last week and fellow receiver Braylon Edwards aims for a third straight game against Buffalo with a score. Elsewhere, Dustin Keller needs two catches to become the sixth tight end in Jets history with 150. He had a career-best two touchdown grabs in the last game against the Bills. The Jets have 14 kick return touchdowns since 2001, most in the league, and main return man Brad Smith is second in the NFL with a 28.6 yard average on kick runbacks in 2010.

Defensively, the Bills tied a franchise record with six interceptions in their last road trip to New York. Linebacker Paul Posluszny leads the team with 139 tackles and linebacker Akin Ayodele had a team-best 17 last week. Also, linebacker Chris Kelsay has five career sacks against the Jets, tied for his most against any foe.