Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets: NFL Week 1 Betting Odds and Predictions

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Sunday, 9/9/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: New York -6
Current Betting Line: New York -3
Opening Total: 42.5
Current Total: 38.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The New York Jets will be one of the more watched teams in the NFL this Sunday

Buffalo comes in with some higher-than-normal expectations due to free-agent signings, but it will be interesting to see how it works out. The Bills will be opening and closing the 2012 NFL campaign against the Jets, which should provide some great theatre in the AFC East division. “We are excited about it,” commented Bills running back Fred Jackson. The team lost both meetings by a combined score of 55-35 last year, which demonstrated that it needed to make some moves. Buffalo is 3-3 ATS in September the last two years.

The Bills are hoping that quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick can cut down on his mistakes that ended critical drives, as he threw a league-leading 23 interceptions in 2011, but still finished sixth in completions and 10th in touchdown passes. On the other side of the ball, the defense can only get better, surrendering a franchise-worst 5,938 yards. Former Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams has joined the fold, while second-year tackle Marcell Dareus figures to build off his 5.5 sacks from a year ago.

New York head coach Rex Ryan isn’t talking about the Super Bowl coming into a new campaign, but he still holds his locker room in high regard. “I truly feel this will be the best team that I’ve had,” Ryan stated this week. The Jets have won their last five games in this series, which fits nicely with their 7-3 record in season openers versus the Bills. Since the 2009 campaign, the defense has allowed just 13.7 points a game on the opening weekend, which is third best in the league. New York is 7-5 ATS versus division foes the last two years, while the “over” 8-5 in that situation.

The Jets have outscored the Bills by an average of 16.2 points per game during their win streak in the series, as all eyes will be on quarterback Mark Sanchez, who will be backed up by Tim Tebow. New York lost its last three games of the season in 2011, with the former USC Trojans star throwing seven of his 18 interceptions in that span. Tebow is likely to see some action in this contest—if new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano breaks out his much talked about “Wildcat” offense.