The New York Jets don't have much room for another disappointing performance. It's hard to imagine the fan base and media being able to tolerate too many more of those. Sitting at 2-7 and riding a four-game losing streak, head coach Aaron Glenn's team is running out of opportunities to turn encouraging stretches into meaningful results.
Sunday presents another difficult assignmentagainst a division rival that has been considerably more consistent. The Buffalo Bills arrive at MetLife Stadium with a 7-1 record and four-consecutive victories. They're coming off a physical Monday night win over the Minnesota Vikings, one where they held quarterback Carson Wentz to an 8.9 rating, but that leaves them with a short week to prepare for a Jets team that has shown
flashes of competitiveness despite its record.
Buffalo has every reason to feel confident, but division games have a way of becoming more complicated than expected. New York needs a complete performance to pull off an upset. New York has already lost to the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots in AFC East action.
With that, here are Jets Wire's five bold predictions ahead of Week 10:
1. The Jets grab their second interception of the season and limit Josh Allen to a sub-100 QB rating
The Jets have struggled to contain opposing passing attacks recently, and as a team, they have allowed 35 points or more in each of their last two outings. That trend is particularly concerning, seeing as how Josh Allen had a difficult outing on Monday night and still threw for 234 yards and a touchdown.
There's really no reason to believe this, but let's allow for a sub-100 QB rating anyway, one aided by the Jets' second interception of the campaign.
2. David Bailey forces another Josh Allen fumble
The Jets enter Week 10, having forced 13 fumbles this season, the most in the NFL, and rookie edge rusher David Bailey has been at the center of that production. He's tied for the league lead with five forced fumbles and has already made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks with his ability to get home.
Josh Allen isn't easy to bring down, but that doesn't mean he's immune to mistakes when defenders get within striking distance. Bailey has demonstrated an impressive ability to attack the football, and Buffalo will have to account for him throughout the afternoon. Expect the Jets rookie to force another turnover, giving his defense a much-needed momentum swing.
3. Geno Smith throws for multiple touchdowns
Geno Smith has endured plenty of frustration this season, but the Jets need their starting quarterback to give them more than a few promising stretches. Buffalo has been playing well defensively, and Smith won't have many opportunities to waste if New York hopes to stay competitive.
The quarterback has shown he can move the football, but the biggest challenge has been turning those drives into touchdowns. Smith throws at least two touchdown passes Sunday, giving the Jets a chance to keep pace with Buffalo's offense.
4. The Jets finally find some red-zone success
New York's inability to finish drives has become one of its most frustrating problems. The Jets rank among the NFL's worst teams in red-zone touchdown efficiency, converting just 40.7% of their opportunities into touchdowns. That simply isn't good enough against a team with Buffalo's offensive firepower.
The Bills have the seventh-ranked red-zone offense, making every missed opportunity potentially costly. New York needs to change that equation, and this prediction calls for at least two touchdown conversions in the red zone. Glenn has emphasized the importance of finishing drives, and his offense needs to show that it can do more than move between the 20-yard lines.
5. Buffalo wins, but the Jets make it a four-quarter game
The Bills are the more established team and should be favored to leave MetLife Stadium with another victory. However, New York has been more competitive than its overall record suggests. Five of its seven losses have been decided by one score, and the team has shown it can hang around against quality opponents.
Buffalo should have enough to leave MetLife Stadium with a victory, but this doesn't have to become another afternoon in which the Jets are left searching for answers. They've spent much of the season showing just enough to make fans believe a breakthrough is possible, only to fall short when it matters. A close loss would still extend the losing streak, but a four-quarter effort against one of the AFC's best teams would at least give Glenn something tangible to build on. Prediction: Buffalo 27, Jets 23.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 5 bold Jets predictions in Week 10 vs. the Bills
