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  GAME DAY PREVIEW Game time: 1:00pm ET
Buffalo (7-3-0) at NY Jets (3-6-0)
 
  Records
TEAM W L T PF PA HOME ROAD NFC AFC DIV STREAK
Buffalo 7 3 0 204 149 4-1 3-2 2-0 5-3 3-1 Won 3
NY Jets 3 6 0 150 167 1-4 2-2 1-1 2-5 1-3 Won 2


EAST RUTHERDORD, N.J. (AP) -- No one has more sacks among active NFL players than Bruce Smith. No team has given up more sacks to Smith than the New York Jets.

That historical fact is particularly worth mentioning because the Buffalo Bills' star defensive end might be facing an inexperienced backup tackle on Sunday. Or he might be going against a banged-up Jumbo Elliott.

Either way, it's advantage Smith.

"We can't let that be a distraction," Smith said. "We will prepare for this game like we did for all the others."

Little distracts Smith when it comes to the Jets. Of his 168 career sacks, second on the list behind Reggie White's 192, Smith has 29 against the Jets.

Although Smith has seen less action this year as the Bills have effectively rotated their front line, he still is the most dangerous defender New York (3-6) will face. Smith has four of his team's 19 sacks and has played well against the run on the league's fourth-rated unit.

"Bruce can pick his spots and be very effective from time to time as they rotate on the line," Jets coach Bill Parcells said. "They rotate three people and try to get the most out of their players, and they have good depth on the line and that keeps their pass rush fresh and formidable."

Smith isn't thrilled with the rotating system employed by coach Wade Phillips, but he accepts it mainly because the Bills (7-3) are a half-game out of first place in the AFC East. He knows it will keep him more effective down the stretch of a season in which he sees distinct possibilities for his team.

"Our depth is helping the situation," he said. "Marcellus (Wiley) is able to come in at any moment and play when I need a break or Wade wants to rest me.

"Marv Levy tried to do this 4-5 years ago and I always thought I'd like to go in and put in an honest days work for an honest days pay, to play every single down. Now we have solid backups who can come in and not miss a beat when one of the best players is out for a couple downs."

One of the Jets' best players, second-year tackle Jason Fabini, tore left knee ligaments on Monday night and is gone for the season. That meant some scrambling on New York's line. It also meant Elliott, who has had some monumental encounters with Smith, won't be able to rest his sore back.

If Elliott can't go at left tackle, well, Parcells didn't want to contemplate that scenario.

Elliott, who didn't start Monday night, but came in when Fabini went down, expects to play. He also knows he'll have his hands full.

"Bruce is always a real good barometer," Elliott said. "I have always felt he definitely was the top defensive end for a lot of years. Some guys get hot, go on different streaks, but he's constantly there, year in and year out.

"If you like competition, he is a great test."

So is the rest of Buffalo's stingy defense, which manhandled Miami last weekend. If Curtis Martin, the league's top rusher with 895 yards, can extend his four-game string of 100-yard games against the Bills, it will be the most impressive outing of his season.

Martin managed a mere 45 yards on nine carries in a Week 2 loss at Buffalo. It was his season low.

"I can see the tenacity he plays with and the aggressive running style that Walter Payton possessed," Smith said of Martin. "Whether Curtis is running with a vengeance or not, the flat-out competitive types of moves are what he brings to the table. When they throw him the short passes or the screens, he is one of the best backs in this league.

"If he gets on a roll, it could be a long day for our defense."

BUFFALO
Season schedule and results
NY JETS
Season schedule and results
September 12 @Indianapolis L 14-31
September 19 NY Jets W 17-3
September 26 Philadelphia W 26-0
October 4 @Miami W 23-18
October 10 Pittsburgh W 24-21
October 17 Oakland L 14-20
October 24 @Seattle L 16-26
October 31 @Baltimore W 13-10
November 7 @Washington W 34-17
November 14 Miami W 23-3
November 21 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET
November 28 New England 1:00pm ET
December 12 NY Giants 1:00pm ET
December 19 @Arizona 8:20pm ET
December 26 @New England 1:00pm ET
January 2 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET
September 12 New England L 28-30
September 19 @Buffalo L 3-17
September 26 Washington L 20-27
October 3 @Denver W 21-13
October 11 Jacksonville L 6-16
October 17 Indianapolis L 13-16
October 24 @Oakland L 23-24
November 7 Arizona W 12-7
November 15 @New England W 24-17
November 21 Buffalo 1:00pm ET
November 28 @Indianapolis 4:15pm ET
December 5 @NY Giants 1:00pm ET
December 12 Miami 4:05pm ET
December 19 @Dallas 4:15pm ET
December 27 @Miami 9:00pm ET
January 2 Seattle 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.

 


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NFL Scoreboard

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NY Jets Clubhouse



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