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The Buffalo Bills host the New York Jets Sunday at 4:25 PM ET. Buffalo is 11-5 and has already clinched a playoff spot, even though the Patriots have already won the division title.
Jets vs. The Bills will air on CBS and the streams will continue live DIRECTV (Free Trial).
What: NFL Regular Season Week 18
WHO: New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
When: Sunday, January 4, 2025
Where: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Live Streams: DIRECTV (Free Trial), fuboTV (free trial), Sling
Here’s a recent NFL story via the Associated Press:
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills coach Sean McDermott finds himself focusing in different directions ahead of the season finale in Buffalo. They have to decide who will play or stay before the playoffs, while still giving a proper send-off at Highmark Stadium in what could very well be the last game there.
One thing McDermott plans to do is find time in his schedule to pay tribute to the 53-year-old stadium one last time before Buffalo (11-5) closes out the season against the New York Jets (3-13) on Sunday.
“It’s a unique place,” McDermott said. “I want to cherish every minute of it.
His only disappointment is not getting enough wins to warrant at least one more home game before the Bills move across the street to a new $2.1 billion stadium next season.
Buffalo enters the weekend as the No. 7 seed in the AFC and can’t go higher than No. 5, meaning it will open the playoffs on the road.
With the stakes relatively low in the game, McDermott has a variety of options regarding his lineup.
Josh Allen, who is nursing a sore right leg, is expected to extend his starting streak to 135 games, including the playoffs — the NFL’s longest active streak.
Running back James Cook could get enough playing time to become the first Buffalo player to win an NFL rushing title since OJ Simpson in 1976. Cook leads Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor by 47 yards.
As for the rest of the roster, McDermott will lean toward caution with the remaining injured players. But he also wants his team to be competitive and close the stadium with a win.
First-year Jets coach Aaron Glenn and his staff don’t have much to look forward to, but after extending the NFL’s longest active playoff drought to a 15th year, they have another lengthy offseason. New York has been outscored by a combined margin of 153-46 in its last four games, all losses.
“It gives us another chance to play against a good playoff team,” Glenn said. “There have been some improvements with this team and we will try to improve those things and at the same time we will try to improve the weaknesses that we have.”
If there are lingering questions about Glenn’s status after this season, the coach has Jeremy Ruckert’s back.
“He really cares about this team. You can see every day how much time and love he puts into us,” Ruckert said. “I would go to war with him.
McDermott is completing his ninth season and has turned the Bills into a perennial contender. He made the playoffs in seven straight seasons and eight overall.
And he made new memories in a stadium nicknamed “Ralph” in honor of late franchise owner Ralph Wilson. The building was once home to Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and OJ Simpson and hosted the Rolling Stones and the 2008 NHL Winter Classic.
It’s where McDermott won his first game, a 21-12 decision over the Jets to open the 2017 season. It’s where he won his first playoff game, a 27-24 victory over Indianapolis in the 2020 season in front of a sparse crowd due to COVID-19 restrictions. And it’s where McDermott celebrated clinching a 2024 playoff berth by making snow angels on the turf after a 35-10 win over San Francisco.
“Life moves fast and it was a special place for a lot of people,” McDermott said. “We are excited to play one more game in this stadium in front of our fans and share the moment together.”
No tips for the Jets
The Jets are on the verge of making more dubious NFL history.
They already have the most games without an interception with 16. If New York can’t intercept a pass in Buffalo, it will be the first team without a pick all season.
The Jets’ last hit came in last season’s finale, when Ashtyn Davis had two against the Dolphins.
“This is a bizarre situation,” interim defensive coordinator Chris Harris said. “I’ve never seen it, but our guys are working hard, working hard, so we’ll see. I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Jets rookie QB Cook has learned a lot
Undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook has his fourth start of the season. It’s a scenario he couldn’t have envisioned after starting his career on the practice squad while Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor started.
But the former Missouri star wasn’t too upset during his late-season start.
“Honestly, no big surprises,” Cook said. “Being able to watch, you know, the first 15, 16 weeks of the season, a lot of those surprises out of my way.
Who is the Bills third string QB?
Shane Buechele was recently signed to the Bills’ practice squad in Kansas City, and Buffalo has two quarterbacks, Allen and quarterback Mitch Trubisky. The lack of a third baseman led to a playful puzzle between McDermott and reporters as to who could be the team’s emergency backup.
McDermott limited his answers to “good try” when presented with the options of tight end Dawson Knox, running back Ray Davis and offensive lineman David Edwards, all of whom have played the position before.
Can I bet on the game?
Yes, you can bet on the game from your phone in New York State, and we’ve rounded up some of the best introductory offers to help you navigate your first bets from BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bet365 and others.
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