Football is back folks. It's that time of year again. Fall is slowly coming upon us. The winds are just a little stronger than they were a few weeks back. It's the 100th season of the NFL. This also means Jets Football is back, and there is lots of upside coming into this season as well. To begin the fun and highly anticipated 2019 season, the Jets will have the opener at home against the division rival Buffalo Bills. Today will also mark new signing Le'veon Bell's first ever game as a New York Jets player, and it kicks off the sophomore season with Sam Darnold as well. It also marks the first game under HC Adam Gase and his new coaching staff.
As for the Bills, this will mark QB Josh Allen's sophomore season as well, and they now come into this game having lost RB LeSean McCoy to the Kansas City Chiefs. Expect new signing and NFL veteran Frank Gore to pick up the load on carries and for Josh Allen to run the ball a lot more knowing McCoy is no longer a part of this offense. Buffalo has made a few new additions this offseason, having signed WR John Brown from Baltimore, WR Cole Beasley from Dallas, and RB Frank Gore as mentioned before who came from Miami. In Josh Allen's second year in the league, One would anticipate that their HC Sean McDermott and OC Brian Daboll would want Allen to throw the ball a bit more than he did during his rookie year. With that being said, still expect Allen to run, but with new receivers to work with, I would anticipate he throw the ball a good amount during today's game, and expect him to try to expose the Jets secondary. The Jets defense now under new coordinator Gregg Williams must be stout and up for the challenge against this offense come gametime today.
The Jets defense are also featuring a new look, having signed CB Brian Poole from Atlanta replacing Morris Claiborne, LB CJ Mosley from Baltimore, and drafting DT Quenin Williams from the University of Alabama with the 4th overall pick in the draft this year. The defensive front three now features the Williams Boys (Leonard and Quenin), and no they aren't brothers if you were wondering, and Steve McClendon as well. In the secondary, S Jamaal Adams continues to be a leader and now features CJ Mosley as another defensive captain as well, as he lead the mighty Baltimore defense strongly last year. With new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, a new look 3-4 defense will be their scheme, similar to how Kacy Rogers ran it last year, only this time with some new pieces. This defense looks young and exciting for 2019.
For the offense, lots of new pieces look to make a factor for the Jets, such as RB Le'veon Bell, WR Jamison Crowder, C Ryan Kalil, and WR Josh Bellamy. QB Sam Darnold must take that step forward just like he did last season. Along with new pieces also come returning pieces, and the chemistry built between Darnold and WR Robby Anderson from last season is one to be reckoned with. Darnold must continue to trust his top wideout and continue making the connection in the Big Apple as well. Along with WR Robby Anderson comes WR Quincy Enunwa, who has also shown signs of brilliance as well with QB Sam Darnold. Sadly, his season was cut short last year due to nagging toe and foot problems, but after signing a new 4 year contract last season, he looks to come back today for the first game since playing in Buffalo last December. With all of these factors attributing to a new look Jets offense, there is no reason the Jets can't show up and compete today and in any of their upcoming games this season.
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| New Jets RB Le'veon Bell |
For the keys to the game, they're all pretty straightforward. The Jets must find a way to slow down Josh Allen's run game. If anyone remembers his only game played against the Jets last season, you'd know how effective he was running with the football even though he's a QB. He ran for 101 yards even though the Jets were able to come back and win that game. That factor of his game must be exposed in order to see the Jets victorious today. The second key to today's matchup is how will Le'veon Bell play in his debut. As many know, he has the ability to dictate how a game is played based on how talented he is, and he could present many challenges for the Bills defense if he plays to his top abilities. This will mark his first NFL game since Pittsburgh lost to Jacksonville two seasons ago in the AFC Divisional Game in the playoffs. Will he be right where he left off, or will he be just a small factor for the Jets? We must wait to find out. The last key finally is how new kicker Kaare Vedvik will be in his Jets debut. The Jets have dealt with kicking struggles since Jason Myers signed with Seattle this offseason. Starting with ex Jets kicker Chandler Catanzaro, who "retired" after the first preseason game against the Giants when he missed two extra point kicks. Then the Jets tried all preseason with Taylor Bertolet, who was also showing signs of inconsistencies. Now with their third kicker signed and two kickers no longer on the roster, the Jets must be able to have that guy that can make FG's consistently similar to how Myers was last season. Will Vedvik fill that void?
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| New Jets Kicker Kaare Vedvik |
Overall, the Jets usually play the Bills tough during any divisional game, and must be ready for the challenge presented and cannot take the Bills lightly. However though, being that today is the first game of the season and it's a home game, I expect the Jets to come to play in their first game of the Adam Gase era, and for Le'veon Bell to show why he's excited to be a New York Jet. Josh Allen and the new look Bills offense could present a threat to the Jets for sure, but I stay confident that the Jets will find a way to win it here in week 1 and to start off the 2019 campaign strong. Give me the Jets in this one 27-20 final score.
-Miles Chamberlain
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| Josh Allen (Left) Vs Sam Darnold (Right) |
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