Wide receiver Andre Reed #83 of the Buffalo Biils jumps in the air to celebrate scoring as the referee signals a touchdown during their AFC East football game against the New York Jets on 21 October 1990 at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, Buffalo, New York, United States. Visions of Sport. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
Season after season, some of the Bills’ most anticipated games are the two against the New York Jets. Although facing any team within the division is intense, this rivalry specifically seems to hold strong throughout the years. Whether the two teams are neck and neck to win the division or just trying to get a win on the record, the tug-of-war between the Bills and Jets is constant. With the Jets being led by veteran QB Aaron Rodgers this season, the intensity in the AFC East and between the Bills and Jets specifically has heightened.
The rivalry dates all the way back to the beginning of the series in 1960, when the Jets were formerly the New York Titans. Throughout the years, the Bills and Jets have had a battle – competing for the title of the “true” New York team (along with the Giants in the NFC). A big contributor to the rivalry is the overlap of the fanbases, with folks from New York having the choice between the Bills, Jets, or Giants if they want to root for their home team. In this sense, it never really mattered if the teams were in close competition talentwise with one another, it was more of a geographic divide. The close quarters of the two fan bases adds a lot of fuel to the fire.
The rivalry has had ebbs and flows. However, it’s important to note that the series is ultimately led by the Bills with a record of 68-57. It is rare that the Bills and Jets are both highly anticipated teams in the same season. Each team has seemed to hit their stride independently. The Jets had some good years during the Bills’ infamous playoff drought. In the final game of the 2015 season, the Bills (7-8) beat the Jets (10-5) and prevented the Jets from making the playoffs. Wins over the Jets were always wins that felt good, even if it was just to get to .500 for the season.
WATCH: The Bills close out a victory to prevent the Jets from the playoffs
https://twitter.com/IestynTHarris/status/1478520800609251329?s=20
During the drought, the Bills went 16-20 versus the Jets. Since then, the Jets have just 3 regular season wins against the Bills, compliments of Josh Allen and company. With the Jets recent young lineup and 4-time MVP QB, it seems that talk of the Jets gaining momentum in the AFC East is on the rise. There’s just one problem with that argument – the Bills are still here and more ready than ever. With few cuts and many new additions in the off season, The Bills are still a playoff-caliber team with Super Bowl contention. While the Jets may be on the rise, they still face an uphill battle when it comes to the locked and loaded Buffalo Bills.
