Bills prepare to take on Jets in pivotal game in AFC East standings

NEW YORK — The Buffalo Bills are gearing up to take on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in a game pivotal to the AFC East standings.

The Bills are traveling to Metlife Stadium in New Jersey to take on a team that has Aaron Rodgers as its quarterback and recently fired its head coach. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m.

The Bills still lead the division at 3-2, despite losing their past two games, while the Jets stand at 2-3. The Jets could put behind their horrible start to the season by winning and taking the lead in the division, which seems more likely than you might think. Sure, the Jets just fired head coach Robert Saleh, but since 2010 teams that employ an interim head coach are 17-13 in their first week on the job.

For Bills players like wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Monday will be a reunion with Aaron Rodgers, though he says there are more similarities than differences between Allen and his former quarterback.

“I think they’re both competitive, but they both have unique arm talents that a lot of guys in this league just don’t have,” Valdes-Scantling said. “Just watching them, the way they go about their business and wanting to win and be competitive. Those are the things that I admire and that’s why I chose to come here.”

The Bills will take on the Jets on the heels of their loss to the Texans that featured an ugly display by the offense. 

“Well, I got to be better ball placement and again, a couple of throws that I wish I could had back this last game,” said Josh Allen who went 9-for-30 in Sunday’s loss. “But just making sure that we’re on the same page and it starts with the quarterback.”

Josh Allen has slung eight touchdowns, ran for two more and thrown zero interceptions on the young season, but the Wyoming product has struggled against the Jets in 11 career starts, throwing 12 touchdowns to 11 picks. So one way or another, somebody will find new life on Monday and the loser will have gone nearly a month without a win.

The game is available on ABC or ESPN. You can also listen to the Buffalo Bills Radio Network’s coverage of the game on 96.5 WCMF in Rochester.