Fedora Forecast: Jets at Bills

Sunday, January 4, 4:25 p.m. ET.
Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
Weather: Upper 20s, snow flurries
Latest line: Bills -8, over/under 37.5

Last week: lost outright (11-5), lost vs the point spread (7-9), won the over/under (10-6)

In the process of saying goodbye to a 52-year-old sports venue, a timeless meme from a 39-year-old movie kept popping up in my algorithm.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Ferris Buehler

What a ride for the Ralph! And like the closing of the Aud, it’s a really, really short move that was overdue. As Kansas once belted out on these grounds, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky. But we do have a football game to play amidst this celebration of life. Nobody wants to say goodbye with a loss. Can the Bills balance risk management, individual goals, and powerful emotions to close out the Ralph in style?

The Breakdown:

QB:

I wouldn’t chase numbers at all with Josh Allen, but I would give him two offensive series. You, me, and Vegas expects run heavy game plans, but the opportunity to find any rhythm in the passing game should be utilized. I have always been a big Mitch Trubisky advocate; unfortunately he sits behind one of the most durable QBs in NFL History. Brady Cook? That 1 TD to 7 INT ratio reminds me of the Nathan Peterman Bears game. Big Advantage Bills WITH TRUBISKY.

Run Game Weapons:

Who wants a rushing title? I do! Without unpacking all the OJ stuff, he was the Bills first path to relevance in the modern NFL. Thurman Thomas, Joe Cribbs, and LeSean McCoy built on that legacy. Time will tell James Cook’s ultimate place in Bills history but let him shine today. Former Bear backup Khalil Herbert gets the call for the Jets with Breece Hall out. Advantage Bills.

Pass Game Weapons:

Garrett Wilson is out, but long-time passengers on the WR train will recognize John Metchie and Adonai Mitchell. All good in the Bills passing game regarding TEs and RBs, and signs of hope from Cooks and Shavers last week. Advantage Bills.

Offensive Line:

The Jets OL was a big part of any preseason hopes Gang Green held, but how do we evaluate a line with a failed QB and wounded weapons? The Bills line deserves a big share of a possible rushing title, but the sack numbers can’t all be the WRs and Josh, can they? Advantage Bills.

Run Defense:

Good news for James Cook; the only worse run defense the Bills have seen was the Bengals. To compare the Bills run defense to a Major League pitcher, the WHIP is tolerable but the Home Runs Allowed are not. Even.

Pass Defense:

Without the Sauce and both starting CBs, opportunity knocks for a much needed tune up of the Bills passing game. Your Buffalo Bills still lead the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed and are a pretty safe bet to maintain the lead in the final week. Time to boost sack and takeaway totals. Advantage Bills.

Special teams:

Have Punters ever looked more interchangeable than 2025? Unfortunately, not so with place kickers. Having to utilize two waiver wire kickers has negatively affected the Bills bottom line, but thankfully the much more reliable Matt Prater returns. It’s a great KR battle between Ray Davis and the NFL’s active leader in Kickoff return TDs Kene Nwangu. Even.

Coaching:

Another year, another playoff berth for Sean McDermott, but a big part of the fan base is restless on this plateau. In the context of Bills History 1961-2026, some of us maintain that it’s far easier to get to the pinnacle from the plateau than sea level (or worse). Aaron Glenn may or may not get another chance. Advantage Bills.

Intangibles:

The Jets December screams “tank”. High emotions in Orchard Park to say goodbye. This is not Georgetown/Syracuse to close Manley field House.

The Forecast:

Bills 34 Jets 13

Thanks for so many great life moments we have shared.

The Pregame Plan:

Food:

My most memorable favorite from the early days at Rich Stadium…a Fried Bologna Sandwich. How better to pay tribute to Bills Mafia’s working-class roots?

Beer:

I will comment next week on whether purified Highmark Snow actually affected the taste, but Bud Light’s commemorative “Blizzard Brew” was a fantastic marketing idea.

Music:

My RALPH Music Mount Rushmore

1. Crazy Train…Ozzy Osborne.
2. Shout…did you know that you have been listening to Scott Kemper all these years?
3. Mr Brightsides…The Killers Imported by Dalton Kincaid from the Utah Utes.
4. Truckin’…The Grateful Dead “What a long, strange trip it’s been”.

Editor’s babble: The Ralph will be full of tears and joyful memories. Many thanks to Joe Reagan for his contributions to our blog. You can also find Joe on Xwitter @joer869.