New York Jets open as 2.5 point underdogs vs Buffalo Bills

The New York Jets took their third defeat of the 2024 season on Sunday with a 23 - 17 loss on the road in London against the Minnesota Vikings . The Jets never led in the game, digging themselves an early 17 - 0 deficit with the help of some poor Aaron Rodgers quarterbacking and a shoddy early effort by the defense. The Jets spent the entire second half trying to claw themselves back, and they almost succeeded. A last gasp drive down to the Vikings 26 yard line had the Jets in position to complete the comeback and steal a win, but Aaron Rodgers' third interception of the game ended the Jets' hopes. The loss plunged the Jets' record below .500 at 2-3.

Now the Jets travel back home to East Rutherford, New Jersey for an early season showdown against the AFC East leading Buffalo Bills . Despite the Jets' current losing record, a victory over the Bills could vault the Jets into first place in the division. A loss would drop the Jets to 2-4, two games back of the Bills.

This shapes up as an early season test of the Jets' playoff hopes. If the Jets want to be serious contenders they need to take care of business at home against a suddenly struggling Bills team that has dropped two straight games. The Jets have historically had some success containing the Bills' star quarterback Josh Allen, particularly at home. Allen is coming off a pair of subpar performances, including an ugly 9 completions out of 30 pass attempts line yesterday in a loss to the Houston Texans . Following the prior week's Bills' loss to the Baltimore Ravens , a Bills team that looked invincible in a 3-0 start suddenly looks vulnerable at 3-2, if Allen is contained. However, the Jets are experiencing issues with their own star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is coming off an uncharacteristic three interception nightmare performance against the Vikings. Outside of a throwback masterpiece against the New England Patriots , Rodgers has borne little resemblance this year to the NFL MVP we saw just a few years ago. If Rodgers can't get back to at least close to his old MVP form, the Jets will be severely challenged in their hopes for a deep playoff run.

Let's take a look at the current odds for this game according to FanDuel Sportsbook . The current line has the Jets home underdogs by 2.5 points. The game has an over/under of 42.5 points. On the moneyline the Jets are +122 while the Bills are -144.

Despite the bitter defeat on Sunday, the Jets still can move into first place in the AFC East with a win against the Bills. On the other hand, a third straight loss would plunge the Jets two games below .500 and two games behind the Bills in the division. If the Jets want to be serious contenders, they need to find a way to win a game like this. It won't be easy. The Bills are an excellent team. They have dominated the division for years. We'll soon see if the Jets are up to the task of bouncing back from a tough loss and wresting first place in the division from their upstate rivals.