The competition for the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East has gotten quite stiff this offseason. The Miami Dolphins were in the race last season until Tua Tagovailoa suffered his scary head injuries. The New England Patriots can never be underestimated, but the biggest improvement could come from the New York Jets.
The Jets now have a star quarterback of their own to compete with Josh Allen of the Bills in Aaron Rodgers. He was acquired in a blockbuster trade from the Green Bay Packers and will be looking to get New York back on track.
The AFC East has run through the Bills the last few seasons, as they have taken home the division crown in three straight seasons. Making it four in a row will have its challenges, but it is something that Allen is focused on.
He won’t have to wait long to square off with Rodgers and the Jets as the Bills are heading to MetLife Stadium in Week 1. The much-anticipated matchup will be on primetime as the first Monday Night Football game of the season.
“They’re game one. That’s the only team I’m worried about right now,” Allen said.
Last season’s matchups between the Bills and Jets were both competitive games. On the road in Week 9, Buffalo came away with a 20-17 victory. In Week 14 at Orchard Park, the Bills won 20-12.
With almost assuredly improved quarterback play, the Jets are going to be a tough out again in 2023. Allen shared his opinion on the new starting quarterback for Gang Green, speaking very highly of the man who beat him out for the MVP award in 2020.
“I’m such a big fan of Aaron. I grew up such a big fan of him,” Allen said. “I think he’s done so much for the game of football. You see a lot of quarterbacks who are younger throughout the league, and there’s a lot of his game that everyone tries to emulate.”
Playing against your idols is never easy as there is sometimes a sense of being star-struck. Both players will be looking to get the edge in their series matchup this year, as Allen is 1-1 against Rodgers in his career.
He will have two chances to add victories to his ledger. After Week 1 on Monday Night Football, the Bills will host the Jets in Week 11 at Highmark Stadium.
