Bills vs. Jets -- Week 17
Where: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, N.Y. (turf, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m., ET (CBS)
Spread: Bills by 3
Forecast: 29 degrees, cloudy, cold
Records -- Bills (5-10; AFC East 1-4 ); Jets (6-9; AFC East 2-3)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 9, 2012: Jets 48, Bills 28; Nov. 27, 2011: Jets 28, Bills 24. Series record: Bills hold a 53-50 edge.
What matters: Which team will show up with absolutely nothing on the line? Can either embattled QB make a few plays to lead his team to victory? The 2012 season has been a major disappointment for both the Bills and Jets. The Bills may be on the verge of another overhaul, and the pieces are already in place for major changes in New York. Reports this week say that Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum will be fired following the game on Monday. In other words, this game means next to nothing in the grand scheme of things for both teams. Players and coaches will be playing for pride in an otherwise meaningless affair. One intriguing subplot is the play of both QBs, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Mark Sanchez. Bills coach Chan Gailey continues to stand by Fitzpatrick, but the writing appears to be on the wall regarding his future; Bills fans are clamoring for a change under center given his struggles this season (5-10 record as a starter, 3,175 yards, 23 TDs, 16 INTs). Sanchez is a surprise starter after being benched for backup Greg McElroy last week; McElroy will miss the game with a concussion (which he didn’t reveal until Thursday). For all of Sanchez’s issues this year, he lit up the Bills in Week 1 (266 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT).
Who matters: Fitzpatrick, Sanchez, Bills RB C.J. Spiller, Jets WR Jeremy Kerley. For better or worse, the two QBs will have a major impact on the game. Spiller has been arguably Buffalo’s only bright spot this season and has been explosive when given enough opportunities to be a difference-maker (183 rushes for 1,185 yards, six TDs, 6.5 average). It remains baffling as to why the Bills have limited his carries this season (Spiller averages just 12.2 carries per game). Kerley, likewise, has been one of the few bright spots for the Jets this season. He leads New York in receiving with 53 receptions for 739 yards and two touchdowns; Kerley impressed in New York’s Week 1 victory over Buffalo with four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Bills are down in numbers at cornerback due to injury, which could present some opportunities for Kerley in the passing game.
Key matchups: Kerley vs. Bills CB Stephon Gilmore, DE Mario Williams vs. Austin Howard. Gilmore has shadowed opposing teams’ top receivers over the second half of the season, so he’s expected to cover Kerley on Sunday. The rookie CB has endured his ups and downs in Buffalo this season but is easily the team’s best cover corner. If Gilmore doesn’t match up against Kerley, Kerley will likely see CB Aaron Williams. Williams was a disaster earlier this year but is getting a second chance after returning from a lengthy knee injury. The first sign that Mario Williams may not be the answer for the Bills on defense came in Week 1 against the Jets. In that game, Williams was invisible (one tackle, no sacks) and complained afterwards that Jets RT Austin Howard was illegally hitting him in the face. Williams has turned it around some since then (he has 10.5 sacks) but he has not been the savior on defense for the Bills. This game gives him a chance to partially make up for that disappointing performance.
Injuries of note: TE Scott Chandler (IR -- torn ACL) and SS Da’Norris Searcy (groin) are out. TE Dorin Dickerson should be able to play after suffering an ankle injury last week. DE Mark Anderson (knee) is likely out.
Inside stuff: Even though it’s a meaningless season finale, the Bills won’t be tinkering with their lineup to give their backups some gameday experience. Gailey said on Monday that his best players have “earned the right to play,” so he’ll be sticking with his usual lineup.
Connections: Bills WR Brad Smith was a fourth-round pick of the Jets in 2006 and finished his New York career with 767 yards rushing and 557 yards receiving.
Stat you should know: The Bills are last in the league against the run, giving up an average of 146.7 yards per game on the ground. They were also last in the NFL against the run in Gailey’s first year in charge (2010) and 28th in 2011.
Record watch: Spiller has a chance to set an NFL record with another strong performance. His average of 6.48 yards per carry through 15 games is the highest among players with at least 150 attempts since 1960. No player has ever finished a season with an average of 6.5 yards per attempt or higher with at least 160 attempts.
Looking ahead: Both teams face uncertain futures -- and plenty of changes -- in January. Their seasons end this week.
Prediction: Jets 17, Bills 6
For more updates on the Bills follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLBUF and @MarkLud12.
