This unique game will be played on Monday night but is not part of the Monday Night Football Broadcast. It will be played between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets yet it will be played in Detroit's Ford Field. A tremendous amount of snow has hit the city of Buffalo this week forcing the team and the league to move the game to an alternate location. The Bills come into this game with a 5-5 record an desperately need this win in order to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. After Kyle Orton took over as the teams starting quarterback, the offense improved overall and the point total increased. Last week against the Dolphins in a critical game the offense abandoned them as they only managed 3 field goals in their 22-9 loss to the Dolphins. The 3 field goals all came in the first 3 quarters and they briefly held a 9-3 lead in the 3rd quarter. From hat point on the Dolphins outscored them 19-0 over the games final 18 minutes and easily won the game. The Jets have had a disastrous season that will likely end up with Head coach Rex Ryan, general manager John Idzik, or perhaps both getting fired in the offseason. After a week one win they lost 8 straight games before facing the Steelers in week 10. The Steelers and their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had been on an historic stretch that was highlighted by Roethlisberger throwing 6 touchdowns in consecutive games prior to facing the Jets. All signs pointed to a Steelers blowout win, but instead the Jets forced 4 turnovers and held Roethlisberger to one touchdown with two interceptions in the Jets 20-13 victory. The Jets have been very disappointing however they have put forth effort week in and week out and will be a tough game for all of their opponents the rest of the way.
The Bills are at a huge disadvantage this week. The team has been unable to practice or even get together for a meeting due to the historic snowfall that has hit their city. They have now no been able to practice and will have to lose a home game to play at a neutral site. It will be similar to a road team that has to play in the Thursday night game after playing on Sunday. Historically that team has lost the game over 75% of the time. If they can get to Detroit by Friday it will give them 3 days to practice and prepare.
The Jets are coming off a bye and it is anyone's guess as to how it will affect them. They had just won vs. Pittsburgh so they would probably have preferred to keep playing while they were hot. Ryan has always had the support of his players and will need them to continue to perform if he wants to stay the coach for the res of the season. The key in the emergence has been the improved play at quarterback since the change to make Michael Vick the starter as well as the play of impressive rookie tight end Jace Amaro.