Buffalo @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 2, 2017 ) Buffalo 21, N.Y. Jets 34

The New York Jets will try to bounce back from an ugly offensive effort without rookie quarterback Sam Darnold when they host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Darnold, who threw four interceptions in last week's 13-6 loss at Miami, is not expected to play due to a foot strain, leaving the duties to veteran backup Josh McCown.

The 39-year-old McCown threw for nearly 3,000 yards in 13 games with the Jets last season and will be tasked with trying to snap New York's three-game losing streak despite not taking a single snap yet in 2018. "Part of being in professional football is the expectation is to go out and play at a high level," McCown told reporters. "(Being rusty) can't be allowed to be an excuse and it won't be. I'll go out and expect to play to my standard and to the standard of this football team and win a football game." Quarterback issues are a regular theme for the Bills, who are hoping that either rookie Josh Allen (elbow) or veteran Derek Anderson (concussion) will return to action soon. Nathan Peterman threw three picks to give him 12 in 130 career attempts in last week's 41-9 loss at home to Chicago.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Jets -7. O/U: 36.5

ABOUT THE BILLS (2-7): Peterman completed 31-of-49 passes and he ran for 47 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Bears, but he had just over three yards per completion for the league's worst offense. Allen, who has missed the last three games, has been limited at practice this week but is itching to pick up where he left off. "I felt the last two games I played in I was playing good football, putting the ball where it needed to be and making the right decisions," he told reporters. "Keeping the ball out of harm's way and we saw ourselves win against the Titans (on Oct. 7) and we were in the game late against Houston (on Oct. 14). Things were just starting to slow down for me, so I'm anxious to get back out there and see if that can continue."

ABOUT THE JETS (3-6): After a bye next week, New York's final six games include two matchups with the New England Patriots as well as meetings with Houston and Green Bay, making a home matchup with the hapless Bills a virtual must-win. "I think it’s huge," coach Todd Bowles told the media. "It's our next game. It's a division rivalry. We let a couple of them go, especially this tough one we just lost. ... Winning takes care of a lot of problems and a lot of issues. It's important for us to win the next ballgame." It would help McCown if the Jets can rediscover a running game that is averaging just 77 yards a game since the 323-yard explosion against Denver in Week 5.

EXTRA POINTS

1. McCown completed 40-of-59 passes for 327 yards and ran for two TDs in two matchups with the Bills last season.

2. Bills RB LeSean McCoy has 24 yards on 24 carries over his last three games.

3. The Jets have won three of the last four meetings and two straight at home.

PREDICTION: Jets 21, Bills 13