ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Bills are playing for a playoff spot.
The Jets are playing by their strings.
It will be the 128th meeting between the Jets and Bills on Sunday in Western New York.
If the Bills (12-3) win, they will secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Jets' playoff dreams were dashed a few weeks ago (4-11).
They are playing for pride now.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said this week that the team will find out who the pros are based on how much effort they put in over the last two weeks against the Bills and Dolphins.
“I think you need to say things like that every now and then to remind yourself how important it is to be a professional. This is a job 365 days a year. At least this It’s got to be the way you approach your job.’ I’ve been in the league a long time,” Rodgers said. “I know I sound like a coach sometimes because I’m older and have been around for 20 years, but I believe that the most motivated players stay the longest, and those players It can be an inspiration to the players, so when I say things like that, it’s because I want everyone to finish things the right way.”
The Jets lost to the Rams 19-9, marking the third game of the season in which they scored fewer than 10 points.
They now face a division rival they haven't beaten since Week 1 of the 2023 season.
Rodgers said people will be watching to see how much effort the Jets put in.
“If I see someone not doing it the right way, I'm going to say something,” Rodgers said. At least as a GM, you have to figure out who's going to be on the team going forward, so this is an important time for all of our players.”
The Jets are 2-8 since Robert Saleh was fired in October.
It was one of the most disappointing seasons in Jets history.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said this is the time to learn about players and coaches.
“Adversity is a gift because it reveals people's true identity and true character,” Ulbrich said. “When you're doing well and you're moving toward the playoffs and you have to play for the postseason, of course you're going to bring out the best in people. At a time like this, you're going to have a lot of people around you. It's a very good time to look around and see how people react. That's why I'm confident that given the characteristics of this locker room, we can complete the way we need to finish.”
