The Jets and Bills have always had an intense rivalry dating back to 1960 when they were AFL foes.
But Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins poured gasoline on the already heated friction between the two teams last offseason.
In February, Dawkins appeared on VladTV and discussed the Jets, specifically defensive lineman Micheal Clemons.
“I hate them, all of them, bro,” Dawkins said. “When it comes to sports, there are people that play the sport because they love the sport. And then there’s people that play the sport just to try to be cool.
“I feel like they play the sport to try to be cool. Those are a bunch of dudes that just want to take pictures on Instagram. That’s whack.”
Dawkins also said the Jets were “very disrespectful” after last year’s postgame altercation in the Highmark Stadium tunnel following the Bills drubbing of the Jets in Orchard Park.
This week, when asked about the rivalry, Dawkins was more diplomatic. He said he expects the Jets to bring their A-game in their second showdown of the season.
“I approach it more so like it’s a division game,” Dawkins told the Buffalo media on Thursday. “It’s an in-conference game. In-conference games are the hardest. I don’t care what the records are, I don’t care if none of us have a win, these are some of the hardest games of the season.
“The Jets, Patriots, Dolphins, no matter when it is, what order it is, they are the hardest games of our season every single year. It’s always great in competition, the rivalry is great, the intensity is up. I like to think and live in the aura that we hate each other. That’s what keeps us going.
“When it comes down to it, everyone wants a job. To be in the NFL, it is hard, to stay on the same team, it’s hard. I don’t think anyone over there is just like, ‘Let’s tank so they can cut me.’ No, these guys are playing because they love ball and they have an emotional feel to it. We’re athletes. The records don’t tell the truth and we know what’s coming.”
Jets right tackle Morgan Moses echoed Dawkins’ thoughts and said the two sides are feisty because of what’s at stake each year.
“I mean, anytime you play teams twice in one season, it’s gonna be a chippy match,” Moses told the Daily News. “Those division games count for more than just one game.
“We know we are going to get their best shot. For us to go out there and put our best foot forward to compete and go out there and bust some ass.”
When the schedule was released in May, many thought Sunday’s game between the Jets and the Bills could help decide who wins the division. The Jets were preseason favorites to win the AFC East, and the Bills were thought to have taken a step back after the departure of wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Not only did that not happen, but the Bills (12-3) wrapped up the division title on Dec. 1 and can clinch the second seed in the AFC with a win on Sunday against the Jets. The play of quarterback Josh Allen is the big reason Buffalo is having an outstanding season.
In 15 games, Allen has thrown for 3,549 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions. However, Allen’s decision-making and command of the Bills offense have stood out this season. This is despite Allen dealing with a hand injury.
“They are playing elite football right now across the board,” Moses said about the Bills. “Obviously, 17 [Allen] on offense has been playing phenomenal football, and as he goes, they go.
“From a defensive standpoint, they are flying around, making plays. They’re healthier, they got a lot of guys back. Always, Von Miller is always a key emphasis on the defensive line. But they are a team that’s proven themselves year in and year out and are playing for a lot of great things ahead of them.”
Meanwhile, the Jets (4-11) have endured another nightmare season. The last time Gang Green played Buffalo on Oct. 14, Jeff Ulbrich had just been named interim coach of a then 2-3 team, Davante Adams was still a Raider, and the team still had playoff and Super Bowl aspirations. But those dreams evaporated quickly following the loss to the Bills.
The Jets acquired Adams the day after the loss to the Bills but have lost seven of their last nine games since Week 6. They were eliminated from playoff contention after the a loss at Miami earlier this month.
Following a disappointing season with high expectations, the Jets will have a new coach, a new general manager, and likely a new quarterback in 2025.
Aaron Rodgers is likely playing in the final two games in a Jets uniform and maybe his career. After suffering an MCL injury to his left knee against the Rams last week, Rodgers told reporters, “There is no way I’m not playing.”
It’s “unlikely” Rodgers, 41, would return to the Jets for the 2025 season, a source told the The News. He is under contract for next year, but the Jets do not owe Rodgers any more guaranteed money after this season.
After he had battled several injuries this season, Jets owner Woody Johnson suggested that Rodgers be benched following the Jets’ Week 4 loss to the Broncos, sources say. But Rodgers continued to play through hamstring, ankle and knee injuries.
Rodgers said he is undecided about playing beyond this season. On “The Pat McAfee Show” this week, he also suggested that the Jets could release him on Jan. 6, the day after the regular season concludes.
“I just think anything is possible,” Rodgers said. “I think anything is truly possible. Whether it happens or not, I’m sure that there will be decisions that, I don’t think there will be surprises where there’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t know what we want to do with certain people.’ I think there’s going to be some decisions that want to be made the day after the season or a couple days after the season.
“I’m just not naive. There’s not zero percent in my mind. I don’t think it’s a high percentage. I think there’s probably a conversation to be had, but I’m just not naive to that being a zero percent chance. I think it’s more than a zero percent chance and less than a certainty, so somewhere in the middle.”
