Fantasy Outlook: Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

When the Buffalo Bills visit the New York Jets it should be an old fashioned, slug it out AFC East battle. Both the Bills and Jets have stout defensive fronts, which could really muddle up a game. This is a game that could really set back fantasy owners, as the Bills and Jets have some intriguing options. Here is some last minute fantasy advice for the Bills vs. Jets game Sunday afternoon.

Quarterbacks

This matchup will not set the world on fire as Kyle Orton will face off against Geno Smith. This could potentially be a long game for both quarterbacks as they each will be facing a stout defensive front that can neutralize a running game and get after a quarterback. If you have to play one though, Orton is the choice.

Orton has filled in admirably for the Bills, replacing original starter E.J. Manuel. Since taking over, the Bills are 2-1 with Orton under center. Orton has also put up solid stats, throwing for at least 289 yards in each game. The Jets do not surrender many yards, but have given up 18 touchdowns compared to only one interception, a ratio that fantasy owners will find hard to ignore.

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As for Smith, he has a new toy in the offense but will he be able to get the ball to him? The Bills have one of the best defenses in the NFL and will not make things easy for Smith and the Jets offense. Smith had a strong outing against the New England Patriots Week 7 on a Thursday night, but it is hard to imagine him doing the same this week against the Bills.

While neither choice really provides much confidence, Orton has the higher likelihood for a strong performance. The Jets poor secondary makes any quarterback they play automatically on the QB2 radar.

Running Back

The Bills suffered a ton of injuries at this position last week, as co-starters Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller were both lost to multiple week injuries. They will be relying on the unproven duo or Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown. For the Jets, they will have Chris Ivory, who has steadily moved up the ranks this season in fantasy. There isn’t much to be desired behind him, as Chris Johnson has disappointed and Bilal Powell has very little role in the offense.

Oct 12, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Anthony Dixon (26) jumps to try and avoid a tackle by New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The intriguing thing to look at here is the duo the Bills are going to be forced to use. Dixon and Brown haven’t gotten many reps this season, with Brown yet to be active. But Brown was traded for by the Bills this offseason, and some in the organization think he has star potential. The two should split time, with Dixon the nominal starter, but expect the hot hand to get the ball. Brown is the superior player in passing downs, as he should pick up the role Spiller left behind while Dixon takes over for Jackson.

As for the Jets, Ivory has proved he is the lead back. The Bills, like the Jets, have a stout run defense so it may be hard to find much running room. But with the performance Ivory has had thus far this season, it’ll be hard to sit him. He has very little challenge from other players for carries and should be started; just expectations will have to be tempered against a strong defense.

The Bills backs should both be owned in fantasy leagues, but it will be hard to start them with more than the confidence you would have in a FLEX player as no one knows who will get the touches, and they have a poor matchup. Ivory can be started as a FLEX with RB2 potential as you know he will get the touches.

Receivers

There is plenty of intrigue at the pass catching position for both teams. For the Bills, rookie Sammy Watkins has really begun picking things up with Orton making the throws instead of Manuel. Robert Woods and Scott Chandler have also played well as possession receivers.

For the Jets, their newest acquisition Percy Harvin will be taking the field for Gang Green for the first time. Along with him, they have Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley and Jace Amaro. The Jets are quietly putting together a strong play making group around Smith.

For the Bills, Watkins has the brightest fantasy outlook in Week 8. As Orton’s unquestioned to-go option, he has compiled 236 yards and two touchdowns on 18 receptions and 29 targets. That is WR1 type output, and again in Week 8 Watkins should be considered a WR1. He has the potential to be in the top-10 at the position this week against a porous Jets secondary. Woods and Chandler aren’t options you should feel comfortable using, as Woods is not really on the fantasy radar, proving more valuable in real life, and Chandler is nothing more than a low-end TE1.

For the Jets, Harvin is an intriguing option. Against a team that can be as dominant as the Bills up front, the Jets would be best suited getting the ball out of Smith’s hands as quick as possibly. This is just what Harvin excels at, taking bubble screens and shot passes. There should be plenty of those on the docket this week for the Jets. Harvin is a WR3 with WR2 potential this week.

Oct 16, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) warms up before the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Kerley falls into the same boat as Harvin, as the Jets are comfortable using him in the same type of gadgets plays. Out of the slot he should also get some quick hitters from Smith. Decker will be the No.1 option for the Jets passing game again, but he could be held quiet as Smith will not be able to take many shots downfield. Decker is a WR3 as well this week.

As for Amaro, he has had an up-and-down season. He cannot be trusted as a starting TE in fantasy just yet. He drops too many easy passes, and his targets are more likely to go down than up with Harvin on board. Even before Harvin was added, Amaro was targeted more than five times in a game only once.

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