Monday Night Football Preview: Jets Land in Detroit to Face Bills in 'Snowout' Bowl



Preview and video for the Monday Night football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets

To the best of my knowledge there is limited reliable against the spread handicapping advice available for two teams facing on a "neutral field". That is the case Monday night as the Bills are forced to evacuate seven feet of melting snow in Buffalo to take on the New York Jets as their slim hope of wild card prospects remain. Major sportsbooks like Diamond Sports have listed the Bills as a "home favorite", with the NFL odds currently at -2 and the Over/under at 42. Putting that aside, here is the situation on any field these two teams could meet:

Buffalo Bills bettingHow you might judge the Buffalo Bills chances might be more about personal fortitude than football ability for this one. Due to the blizzard they've had limited time to practice together and are forced to find their way individually to Detroit by personal/commercial transportation just like you and I. On the other hand, how you might judge the Jets chances are likely due to how they feel about their head coach or more likely how they feel about retaining their jobs after the season is completed.

No doubt Jets coach Rex Ryan has had his bags packed for his eventual dismissal on or about New Years a month ago. Despite the Jets recent feel good 20-13 win over the Steelers behind back-up QB Michael Vick, it is inevitable. But this is the NFL and the Jets know when Ryan's replacement is brought in, every frame of their performance in these types of games will be judged. Therefore, like the last game and every game coming, never count the Jets out.

For the Bills, they are in a similar situation to the Jets, but with a better 5-5 record. They've turned to journeyman QB Kyle Orton while giving up on rookie prospect E.J Manuel. Orton is nursing a toe injury and possibly showed it in sub-par performances the last two games in losses to Miami and Kansas City. Previously, he hammered the Jets in New York (well, New Jersey) 43-23 as a 3 point underdog.

Monday Night Football Betting Suggestions

Jets Monday Night footballDespite their records, these two teams are very evenly matched with very similar talent levels. The only major difference being the Bills players having extra security with rookie head coach Doug Marrone in place. We could make a case for the Jets having some revenge motive for their bad beating a month ago but they have far more important priorities to attend to like keeping their jobs for next season. Therefore, the narrow point spread is a less attractive prospect and if faced to select would lean toward the Jets but not with any certainty whatsoever.

A better alternative is looking at the Over/Under Total at 39. I am throwing out all the recent past performances here as this is a special situation on a strange, neutral field. According to stats available at Diamond Sports, these teams are a notable 5-1 Over in the last six games played together but that took place in entirely different circumstances. Here we have a Bills offense that is short on practice, coming off two bad performances facing a decent Jets defense. Also, a Jets offense that will remind no one of the Packers or Patriots.

Also keep in mind this game's Total was bumped up from 39 to 42 moving from Buffalo to the dome in Detroit. That is to be taken advantage of as I recommend UNDER early Monday night in what should be a close, relatively forgettable game.

For a complete preview of the Jets-Bills game, including predictions and NFL football odds, check out the video below.


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