GANG GREEN FACES BIG TEST IN BUFFALO By TJ Rosenthal for Football Reporters Online-10-31-08

The Jets have not played consistently in any phase of the game so far in 2008. At 4-3 however, they have given themselves a chance to gel by winning enough games to now sit only one game behind both the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, both at 5-2. Alot has been made about Brett Favre's mediocre play, and the confused playcalling on offense. While much of it may be true, the Jets, an organization that often times has their backs against the wall before Thanksgiving, rolls around to Orchard Park this time with a chance to really get in this AFC East race.

The Bills are led on offense by RB Marshawn Lynch and deep threat WR Lee Evans. QB Trent Edwards has had some good games this year but is not a threat to throw for 300 yards every Sunday. The Buffalo Defense is tied for 5th in TDs given up but ranked somewhere in the middle in most every other defensive category.

For the Jets, the keys will be the same. Favre has to make good decisions, better decisions than it appears ha has in recent weeks, although Eric Mangini on numerous occasions has cited the Jet wideouts for being at fault for some of the picks. The Jet ground game, now including home run threat Leon Washington , has to be part of a balanced offensive game plan and not disappear for a half, as it has a few times.

The Jet defense has struggled yardage wise the past two weeks against struggling offenses in Oakland and Kansas City. Nonetheless, Chris Jenkins , who spearheads the defensive line and has been a big factor in the much improved run stopping will be challenged all day by Lynch and backup Fred Jackson. With Jet corners Dwight Lowry and Darrele Revis facing the difficult task of keeping up with speedster WR's Evans and Roscoe Parrish, the Jets will have to break down Edwards pocket quickly and force long pass routes to be altered.

A win and the Jets will go to 5-3, a record that other Jet teams in the past who've had more talent and have played better for much of 4 quarters, have not been able to grab. It's an opportunity that they have given themselves not by playing great football all year, but by winning.