FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Antonio Allen has played safety, cornerback and nickel this season as the New York Jets try to account for a dwindling number of defensive backs, and he has done so with a mixed amount of success.

Last week against the Patriots, Allen allowed two touchdowns, including one on third-and-19. It was a rough game for Allen, who played in 75 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps that game.

"It’s been a roller coaster," Allen said Thursday, "but I’m always up for the challenge and looking for ways to better myself."

Coach Rex Ryan pointed out that Allen has had a difficult role to play. Starting cornerback Dee Milliner suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against Denver, and rookie Dexter McDougle was out with a knee injury before the season even started.

"It's kind of tough, especially when you have an injury and you're trying to make in-game adjustments. It's kind of difficult," Ryan said of the situation at cornerback. "But we've placed a lot on (Allen) and I think overall he's done pretty well. Everybody has some moments that they wish they had back, there were a couple of things, probably he could have played better, we could've played better, everybody across the board. But I'm happy he's on our team and he's playing well."

Allen has played all over the secondary this season. He said he knows the entire defensive playbook, but joked that he hasn't been asked to play on the defensive line.

"D-Line's doing a good job, so I [don't] think they're going to have me in that spot," Allen said. "But you never know, I might get in the nine technique."

Dawan Landry and rookie Calvin Pryor are the starting safeties, and Ryan said Pryor hasn't been quite what the team hoped for in his first year, so they have had to alter the defense a bit to compensate. This week, they have the Bills and rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins to contend with.

"It's going to be a tough challenge," Allen said. "Every week is going to be tough because we haven't been playing up to par. But hopefully we can come out this weekend and show up a little bit."