Our first Best Bet of the 2012 NFL season looks at the Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
Fourth-year Jets running back Shonn Greene set a career high for rushing yards in 2011 (1,054) and he’ll look to build on that success as New York’s ground and pound offense punishes front lines
When Week 1 NFL odds hit the shelf in April, New York was laying -6 points with a total 42 but what a difference four months can make. Online betting shops finally started getting even action on the Jets at -2.5 and we could see a -3 by Sunday but don’t wait on it.
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS
Pinnacle Sports Line: Jets -2.5 (-114), Over/Under: 38.5
The New York Jets started 2011 with a 27-24 SU win at home against the Dallas Cowboys. It was their second Week 1 win in HC Rex Ryan’s first three seasons (1-2 ATS) and things weren’t looking good until the defense forced a series of fourth quarter turnovers.
New York went on to win its next three-straight home games SU/ATS, averaging 27.7 PPG (points per game) against foes whose defense only allowed an average of 21.3 PPG on the season. Buffalo ranked 29th last year with 27.1 points allowed but the Bills bolstered their D-line with DEs “Super” Mario Williams (Texans) and Mark Anderson. The return of DT Kyle Williams provides a spark and together with last year’s first round pick, DT Marcell Darius, this unit can only get better.
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New York also made a big off-season acquisition you may have heard something about. QB Tim Tebow didn’t do much during the preseason and neither did Mark Sanchez but Sunday is where we’ll see if the Jets were indeed, saving it up for the games that count.
Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t do much in the preseason and he has a new QB coach to work with but his top target, WR Stevie Johnson (groin) is questionable. Whether or not Johnson plays, the Jets have one of the top secondaries in the league, holding opponents to just 201 passing yards per game last year. Fitzpatrick is 0-5 against the Jets and in 2011, averaged 227 yards against Gang Green with four TDs and two interceptions.
WEEK 1 BEST BET!
While he won’t admit it, HC Ryan has something to prove this year and there will not be any problem getting his team focused for this Week 1 divisional game. Buffalo was 6-9-1 ATS last season, 2-4-1 as a road dog and they have not played well against AFC East teams of late, going 2-10 SU the past two years (4-8 ATS). The Bills are also just 2-6-2 ATS when getting plus-3 points or less the past four years and with HC Ryan’s defensive know-how, we look for the home side to come out on top.
Pick: Take the Jets
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