Following a close 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers to open the season, the New York Jets will not have it easy in Week 2 when they host the division rival Buffalo Bills.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, head coach Aaron Glenn outlined the challenge of squaring off against Buffalo’s quarterback and reigning MVP, Josh Allen.
“He’s one of those guys [who] can will his team to victory,” said Glenn. “Our will has to be stronger than his will, and that’s a challenge in itself because of who he is. So this is going to be a game of who’s going to out-will each other.”
Allen, a three-time Pro Bowler and the league’s MVP last season, delivered a highly impressive showing to open the season during Buffalo’s shootout 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Allen completed 33 of his 46 passing attempts (72%) for 394 yards and two touchdowns while picking up an additional two touchdowns on the ground across 14 carries for 30 yards.
The Jets’ defense faces a much different challenge this week after squaring off against Aaron Rodgers in the season opener. Rodgers, now limited as a pocket passer with less-than-stellar mobility, presents a far different look than Buffalo’s Josh Allen, who combines a powerful arm with the ability to make plays on the ground.
Defenses often resort to heavy blitzing against Allen, whose knack for extending plays has long been a trademark. According to Jets X-Factor’s Michael Nania, New York should continue to blitz at a similar rate to Week 1, roughly 35% of dropbacks, a mark that ranked fifth in the league last week.
For the Jets, success will hinge on whether their defense can disrupt Allen’s rhythm early; if not, Buffalo’s MVP quarterback has shown he is more than capable of willing his team to another victory.