Action Network

CBS Sports

CapperTek

Covers

Dratings

DunkelIndex

FlashPicks

GameSim

OddsShark

OddsTrader

SportGrid

Sports Betting Dime

Moneyline

Total

Point Spread

Away/Home

Wins

Ov / Un

Jets

Bills

Away/Home Defense

Away/Home Offense

Defense

Offense

New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills Picks

Highmark Stadium

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When sportsbooks first released this game, the Bills were listed as high as 11-point favorites, with the total opening at a low 40.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott has said Josh Allen is good to go, the expectation is that he’ll take at least one snap to extend his starting streak to 122 games &#8211; the second-longest in NFL history &#8211; before exiting the game. Last season in Week 18, Allen preserved the streak by playing just one snap and sitting the rest of the contest, so the assumption is Buffalo follows a similar approach here.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That would leave Mitch Trubisky under center for the majority of the matchup against Brady Cook and the New York Jets.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a result, the spread has moved, with Buffalo now laying between -7.5 and -8, while the total has dipped to a consensus 37.5.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Jets have nothing to play for but pride, while the Bills have playoff positioning up for grabs. What should we expect when these AFC East rivals meet on Sunday? I’ll break it down below in my Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets preview and predictions.</span></p>
<p><em>For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today’s slate, take a look at our <a href="http://bettingnews.com/nfl/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL Picks Page</a> or our <a href="http://bettingnews.com/nfl/odds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL Odds Page</a>.</em></p>
<p><em>You can also browse our recommendations for the <a href="http://bettingnews.com/best-online-sportsbooks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best online sportsbooks</a> available in the U.S.</em></p>
<h2>Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets Preview &amp; Predictions</h2>
<div id="attachment_29396" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29396" class="wp-image-29396 size-full" src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/josh-allen-buffalo-bills_365ba9583e50d886e649e7e841f7aad0_2000.jpeg" alt="Josh Allen takes on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens tonight" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/josh-allen-buffalo-bills_365ba9583e50d886e649e7e841f7aad0_2000.jpeg 960w, https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/josh-allen-buffalo-bills_365ba9583e50d886e649e7e841f7aad0_2000-300x169.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><p id="caption-attachment-29396" class="wp-caption-text">How much action will we see from Josh Allen in NFL Week 18?</p></div>
<h3>Bills vs Jets Preview </h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Outside of Buffalo likely resting Josh Allen for most of this game, they’ll also be without defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and safety Jordan Poyer.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tight end Dalton Kincaid, defensive end Joey Bosa, and defensive tackle Deone Walker are all listed as questionable.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is a chance James Cook plays a meaningful portion of this game as he chases the rushing title. Cook has 1,606 rushing yards, leading Jonathan Taylor (1,559) by just 47 yards. It wouldn’t be surprising if Buffalo lets Cook build a comfortable cushion before pulling him from the game.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">James Cook is 1 WEEK AWAY from the rushing title.</p>
<p>The colts game will end before the Bills starts we will know how much yards he needs.</p>
<p>He can become the first bills player since 1976 to win the rushing title. <a href="https://t.co/ufISL8Qr2n">pic.twitter.com/ufISL8Qr2n</a></p>
<p>— BillsOnReal (@BillsOnReal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillsOnReal/status/2006807902779224097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2026</a></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We also can’t ignore the significance of this being the final game at this stadium before the Bills move across the street to the new Highmark Stadium next season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But just how important is a win for Buffalo?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Right now, the Houston Texans hold the No. 5 seed in the AFC, which would set up a first-round matchup against either the Steelers or Ravens. Houston has a favorable matchup on Sunday at home against the Colts, so it’s likely they hold onto that spot.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Los Angeles Chargers currently sit in the No. 6 seed, but they’re expected to rest Justin Herbert and several other starters. They’re also double-digit road underdogs against the Broncos, who are still fighting for the No. 1 seed, making a Chargers loss likely.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That leaves Buffalo in the No. 7 spot. If the Bills beat the Jets and the Chargers lose, Buffalo would move up to the sixth seed and likely face Jacksonville on the road. However, if Buffalo loses, they could draw a third matchup against division rival New England in the first round. Many Bills fans would welcome another meeting with Drake Maye and the Patriots, and it’s possible the coaching staff feels the same way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So the question becomes: does Buffalo push for the win and let the chips fall where they may, or do they take their chances with a loss and a familiar postseason opponent?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Without being inside the building, it’s tough to know &#8211; which is exactly what makes this game so difficult to handicap.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What we </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">can</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> evaluate is what to expect from the Jets.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since Brady Cook took over in Week 14, New York has gone 0–4, losing by an average margin of 26.8 points per game. The Jets haven’t scored more than 20 points during that stretch.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cook has completed just 58.8% of his passes for 679 yards, with one touchdown and seven interceptions.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To make matters worse, the Jets will be without their best offensive weapon in Breece Hall. Buffalo owns one of the bottom-two run defenses in the NFL, and Hall would’ve been the lone realistic path for this Jets offense to stay competitive on Sunday.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the flip side, even with Mitch Trubisky under center, the Bills should still be able to move the ball. Trubisky is a competent backup, and he’ll be facing one of the league’s worst defenses.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aaron Glenn’s Jets rank 29th in EPA per play and 16th in success rate overall. Their biggest issues come in the secondary, where they sit 31st in dropback EPA allowed.</span></p>
<h3>Bills vs Jets Predictions</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not just Breece Hall who will be out for the Jets &#8211; several other starters will be missing as well. But let’s be honest: even if New York were closer to full strength, they’d still be at a massive disadvantage. That remains true even with Mitch Trubisky under center for Buffalo.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Jets are a mess right now. As much as they’d like to end the season on a high note by knocking off a division rival and making a case for Aaron Glenn to remain head coach, the odds of that happening feel unrealistic.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This game ultimately comes down to how hard the Bills want to compete. I don’t expect Buffalo to actively tank in an effort to draw the Patriots, but I also don’t see them keeping their foot on the gas for four full quarters.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because of that, I don’t have strong conviction on either the spread or the total. One option worth considering would be teasing the Bills down to -1.5 on a standard six-point teaser and pairing them with another leg you like.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Outside of that, James Cook props would be intriguing to explore, but most books haven’t posted them yet. That’s the challenge with many Week 18 matchups &#8211; the unknowns. There’s no need to force a bet in this game unless you’re confident there’s a real edge to be had.</span></p>
<h2>Still Didn&#8217;t Get Your NFL Fix?</h2>
<p><a href="https://x.com/dannyburke5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Follow me on X @dannyburke5</a> for all my picks, analysis and plenty more. Also be sure to <span class="s2"><a href="https://twitter.com/YourBettingNews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">follow Betting News on ‘X’ </a></span><span class="s5">and <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/bettingnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span class="s2">Twitch</span></a> to catch us on stream! </span><span class="s2">Betting News is also on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@yourbettingnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok!</a></span><span class="s5"> <span class="s2">Follow us for more picks and news every day and check out our </span></span><a href="/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Free Expert Picks</a> for every major sports league.</p>
  <div id="more-news-shortcode" class="more-news-container">
    <div class="more-news-box">
      <h2 class="more-news-header">More NFL News</h2>

      <div class="more-news-grid">
                              <div class="more-news-card-container">
              <div class="more-news-img-container">
                <img decoding="async"
                  src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025BNNFL-klingsbury.jpg"
                  alt="2026 NFL Head Coaching Vacancies | America&#8217;s Next Top Head Coach"
                  loading="lazy"
                  class="more-news-img"
                />
              </div>

              <div class="more-news-text-container">
                <p class="more-news-category">NFL Betting News</p>

                <a class="more-news-a"
                   aria-label="2026 NFL Head Coaching Vacancies | America&#8217;s Next Top Head Coach"
                   href="/articles/nfl/2026-nfl-head-coaching-vacancies-americas-next-top-head-coach/">
                  <h5 class="more-news-title">2026 NFL Head Coaching Vacancies | America&#8217;s Next Top Head Coach</h5>
                  <p class="more-news-author">
                    Varun Sharma                    <span class="more-news-date">7 hours ago</span>
                  </p>
                </a>
              </div>
            </div>
                      <div class="more-news-card-container">
              <div class="more-news-img-container">
                <img decoding="async"
                  src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SaquonSB.jpg"
                  alt="NFL Playoff Preview: Super Bowl Odds and Predictions"
                  loading="lazy"
                  class="more-news-img"
                />
              </div>

              <div class="more-news-text-container">
                <p class="more-news-category">NFL Betting News</p>

                <a class="more-news-a"
                   aria-label="NFL Playoff Preview: Super Bowl Odds and Predictions"
                   href="/articles/nfl/nfl-playoff-preview-super-bowl-odds-and-predictions/">
                  <h5 class="more-news-title">NFL Playoff Preview: Super Bowl Odds and Predictions</h5>
                  <p class="more-news-author">
                    Danny Burke                    <span class="more-news-date">Mon Jan 5 2026</span>
                  </p>
                </a>
              </div>
            </div>
                      <div class="more-news-card-container">
              <div class="more-news-img-container">
                <img decoding="async"
                  src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025BNNFL-Zay-Flowers.jpg"
                  alt="Chasing the Bag | NFL Week 18 Incentives List"
                  loading="lazy"
                  class="more-news-img"
                />
              </div>

              <div class="more-news-text-container">
                <p class="more-news-category">NFL Betting News</p>

                <a class="more-news-a"
                   aria-label="Chasing the Bag | NFL Week 18 Incentives List"
                   href="/articles/nfl/chasing-the-bag-nfl-week-18-incentives-list/">
                  <h5 class="more-news-title">Chasing the Bag | NFL Week 18 Incentives List</h5>
                  <p class="more-news-author">
                    Varun Sharma                    <span class="more-news-date">Sat Jan 3 2026</span>
                  </p>
                </a>
              </div>
            </div>
                      <div class="more-news-card-container">
              <div class="more-news-img-container">
                <img decoding="async"
                  src="https://wp.bettingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/NFL-Staff-picks-week-18.jpg"
                  alt="NFL Week 18 Staff Picks: Best Bets &#038; Props from our NFL Staff"
                  loading="lazy"
                  class="more-news-img"
                />
              </div>

              <div class="more-news-text-container">
                <p class="more-news-category">NFL Betting News</p>

                <a class="more-news-a"
                   aria-label="NFL Week 18 Staff Picks: Best Bets &#038; Props from our NFL Staff"
                   href="/articles/nfl/nfl-week-18-staff-picks/">
                  <h5 class="more-news-title">NFL Week 18 Staff Picks: Best Bets &#038; Props from our NFL Staff</h5>
                  <p class="more-news-author">
                    Daniel Collins                    <span class="more-news-date">Sat Jan 3 2026</span>
                  </p>
                </a>
              </div>
            </div>
                        </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  
<div class="my-3 card card-body d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row align-items-center" style="background-color: #01337d;">
    <div class="py-3 flex-fill">
        <p class="mb-0 lead text-white text-center text-lg-left font-weight-bold">
            <span style="font-size: 1.15rem;">Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly</span>
            <br><br>
            <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Sign up for</span>
            <br>
            <span style="font-size: 1.15rem;">THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER</span>
        </p>
    </div>
    <div>
        <a class="mx-2 btn btn-lg btn-danger stretched-link text-nowrap" role="button" href="/newsletter-subscription/" style="padding: .5rem 2rem;width: 300px;margin: 0;">Get FREE Picks</a>
    </div>
</div>
<h2>Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News</h2>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">
<div class="su-list mb-5" style="margin-left:0px">
</div>
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/nfl/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/nfl/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Picks &amp; Odds for the NFL</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/nfl-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/nfl-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">NFL Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/ncaaf/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/ncaaf/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Pick &amp; Odds for NCAAF</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/guides/college-football-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/guides/college-football-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">NCAAF Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/mlb/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/mlb/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Picks &amp; Odds in the MLB</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/guides/mlb-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/guides/mlb-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">MLB Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/nba/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/nba/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Picks &amp; Odds in the NBA</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/guides/nba-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/guides/nba-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">NBA Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/nhl/picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/nhl/picks/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Picks &amp; Odds in the NHL</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a class="c-link" href="/sports-betting-guides/nhl-betting-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.bettingnews.com/guides/nhl-betting-guide/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">NHL Betting Guide for Beginners</a></li>
</ul>
</div>


What should you expect in this Week 18 AFC East matchup? We'll tell you with our Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets preview and predictions.

Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets Preview & Predictions (1/4): Feeling Frisky with Trubisky?

2026 NFL Head Coaching Vacancies | America’s Next Top Head Coach

It's time for postseason play. Get yourself ready with our NFL Playoff preview, updated Super Bowl odds and predictions from our expert.

NFL Playoff Preview: Super Bowl Odds and Predictions

Chasing the Bag | NFL Week 18 Incentives List

NFL Week 18 Staff Picks: Best Bets & Props from our NFL Staff