Jets-Bills prediction

While much of the buildup to tonight's game has centered on Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan making I.K. Enemkpali a captain against his former team, the actual action on the field figures to be entertaining as well.

Enemkpali was the Jets player who punched quarterback Geno Smith and broke his jaw in the preseason. As soon as New York cut Enemkpali, Ryan and the Bills signed him.

While the signing and naming Enemkpali a captain might make it look as though Ryan is trying to tweak the team he coached from 2009-14, but this is actually a long-standing tactic he's used.

A few weeks ago in London, Ryan sent out his entire offensive line as captains because the Bills were playing the Jaguars, whose offensive line coach Doug Marrone was Buffalo's head coach last year.

And when the Bengals played at Buffalo several weeks ago, Ryan sent out backup quarterback Josh Johnson as a captain because Johnson spent three seasons in Cincinnati.

But aside from all the coin-flip drama, the game should be entertaining on its own.

The Jets are 5-3 and the Bills are 4-4, which makes this a crucial contest for both team's wildcard hopes with both squads so far behind the 8-0 New England Patriots in the AFC East.

I really like what Todd Bowles has done with the Jets, and I expect Gang Green to keep the roll going tonight.

Buffalo (+2) at New York Jets -- Jets 23, Bills 17

LAST WEEK

Straight up: 7-6

Spread: 7-6

Top Five: 4-1

SEASON TOTAL

Straight up: 76-57

Spread: 64-69

Top Five: 22-23

Here are the links to my previous picks:

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