Jets-Bills preview: New York leans on process as it hosts a league-leading Buffalo squad

The Jets (2-7) are set to host the Buffalo Bills (7-1) Sunday at MetLife Stadium, a matchup Buffalo enters as the AFC East division leader. The Jets’ official game preview framed the week as more than a standings moment, describing the team as trying to “build it right” even during a stretch of adversity.

New York is coming off a 35-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City last Sunday, and the Jets’ staff pointed to how close several of their losses have been despite the record. In that preview, coach Aaron Glenn acknowledged the team’s 2-7 mark while emphasizing that the Jets believe they are fixing issues without changing what he described as the team’s core approach.

The preview highlighted how the Jets evaluate their season beyond the final scores. Glenn’s remarks included the idea that five of New York’s seven losses have been to playoff-caliber teams, with multiple games decided by one score or fewer than a touchdown.

Veteran linebacker Demario Davis, in his third stint with the Jets and now in his 15th season, was positioned as the veteran anchor for a young roster. Davis’ comments in the preview centered on enduring setbacks without “starting from scratch,” arguing that adversity is part of the process of building long-term sustainability.

On the defensive side, the preview credited the group’s current production and the development of newer players. It described the Jets’ defense as ranked No. 12 while also citing team totals such as defensive tackles and sacks, and it singled out rookie edge David Bailey as a key early impact player.

Bailey was portrayed in the preview as a game-wrecker, with the Jets’ staff pointing to his sack total and force-fumble production, and to the idea that Buffalo’s offense will have to account for his role. The preview also tied New York’s defensive identity to continuity, portraying the locker room as unified and maintaining its “process” despite losses.

On the Bills’ side, the preview came from first-year head coach Joe Brady, who suggested that records can be misleading and that New York’s competitiveness in multiple games could make the Bills’ task more difficult, particularly defensively. Brady also praised Bailey directly and emphasized the challenge Buffalo expects to face against a Jets offense that has opened games with momentum at times, according to the Jets’ preview.