The Bills enter Sunday's matchup against the Jets with a different look on offense than the last time these teams played. Former RBs coach Anthony Lynn took over the offensive play calling after Greg Roman was fired in September and will serve as the interim head coach for Buffalo on Sunday in place of Rex Ryan. Additionally, EJ Manuel has been given the keys to the offense as Tyrod Taylor was benched in a business decision. Manuel got some game action against the Green & White in Week 2 when Taylor was being evaluated for a concussion, completing one pass for 10 yards.
"We went back and looked at some stuff with EJ last year and the few snaps he had this year," defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. "We really don't anticipate them changing anything. They kind of do what they do. Tyrod is a little more elusive in certain situations, but EJ is different in some ways. His arm and throwing the ball is a little different. But overall, we see it staying the same."
One year removed from setting a franchise record for total yards in a single season, the Jets offense has struggled. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said this year has been his most challenging as a coach because of the injuries sustained over the course of the season. Four-fifths of the Jets' starting offensive line has been placed on IR along with three additional starters.
"I wish I could put my finger on it," said Gailey regarding the difference in production. "That would be a simple and easy discussion for the offseason to decide what to do. I think it's a myriad of things that's happened at different times and created problems for us. I don't think there's one simple and easy 'OK, let's do this and everything's back to the way it was last year.' "
In a year with a lot of moving pieces and new faces, especially on special teams, K Nick Folk has been close to automatic. Returning from a quad injury that put him on the shelf Nov. 10, 2015, Folk has made 24 of his 25 field goals this season, excluding the three that were blocked.
"I think he's consistent. He knows what it takes to get ready," special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. "He knows how to take care of his body. He sticks with the same program just like Adam Vinatieri did. All those veteran guys that have played a long time, they figure it out. You know how to take care of yourself and how many balls you need to kick during the week. You stay on the same program and you know what it takes to get your body ready and he's done that. He's done a nice job."
