FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- In a promotional giveaway, all fans will receive a green New York Jets flag Sunday upon entering MetLife Stadium. Maybe it should be a white flag.
No doubt, many are ready to give up on the season, if they haven't already. The Jets (1-6) have dropped six straight, one loss shy of their longest losing streak since 2005, Herm Edwards' final season. The arrival of Percy Harvin has created a fresh vibe around the team, but you have to wonder if -- and how long -- that can sustain them, considering there's no playoff motivation.
It would be human nature to suffer a major letdown after last week's soul- and season-crushing loss to the New England Patriots, billed by the Jets as a last-stand opportunity. Rex Ryan, who prides himself on his ability to motivate, faces a huge challenge in trying to regroup his team. The Jets are a slight favorite even though the Buffalo Bills (4-3) can still call themselves contenders. It's probably because the Jets have won seven of the last 10 meetings, including four straight at MetLife.
"Buffalo is no gimme game," guard Willie Colon said. "I think that's the biggest misconception, that we're going to come in and blow Buffalo out of the water. That's not the case at all. They're 4-3, and I'm pretty sure they see blood in the water. They're probably thinking, 'This is there for the taking.' They're not going to bow down by no means."
Has any team ever bowed down to a 1-6 opponent?
Kickoff Sunday is 1 p.m. ET. Here are the top storylines for the Jets against the Bills:
1. The unveiling of Percy: The Jets are bad poker players. They've tried to tamp down expectations, giving only vague answers to questions about Harvin's potential role and impact. Give me a break. Truth is, Harvin figures prominently in the game plan even though he's had only four practices. The plan is to give him at least six to eight touches, feeding him the ball in a variety of ways. You'll see screen passes, running plays and probably a deep shot -- just because they want to prove to everyone he can be more than a "gadget" receiver. His ability near the line of scrimmage, though, could be big in this game. The Jets need quick-hitting plays to offset the Bills' pass rush, and that plays to Harvin's strengths.
2. Can Geno do it again? News flash: Geno Smith didn't throw an interception last week, only his fifth no-pick game in 23 starts. Ryan is excited that Smith has only two interceptions over the last three games, both coming in desperation-type situations. In the Jets' world, this is considered progress. Smith delivered a workmanlike performance last week, but the question is whether he can sustain it. Typically, he doesn't play well under duress, and the Bills (league-leading 24 sacks) generate a lot of pressure. The Jets' pass protection is shaky. They allow pressure on 33.2 percent of their dropbacks, 29th in the league.
3. Battle of the D-lines: You're talking about two of the better defensive lines in the league. The Bills have Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus inside, with Jerry Hughes and Mario Williams outside. If you asked the Jets to rank them, they'd probably put Mario Williams at No. 4. The overpaid defensive end never does anything against the Jets -- no sacks in four games as a member of the Bills. The biggest concerns are Kyle Williams and Dareus. Colon said he's been losing sleep thinking about his matchup. The Jets' line doesn't have the Pro Bowls and the big salaries, but Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson & Co. should be able to rattle Kyle Orton, who was sacked 11 times in the last two games.
4. From Manning and Brady ... to Orton: The Jets haven't faced a pedestrian quarterback since Week 1 (rookie Derek Carr), but the run of future Hall of Famers is over after a hellacious six-game run. Now they get Orton, who has no Hall of Fame inductions in his future (unless his alma maters decide to honor him). He's 2-1 since replacing EJ Manuel, but let's be real: The Jets have bigger problems than we think if they let Orton -- sans Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller -- pick them apart. They have to be aware of rookie Sammy Watkins (don't be surprised if Antonio Allen is back at corner), but it's not a multi-weapon offense.
5. A different kind of must-win: Ryan's career record in the AFC East is 14-17, including seven wins over the Bills. If the Jets can't beat the Bills at home, the season turns a darker shade of bad.