Jets (0-1) at Bills (0-1)
8:20 p.m. ET, ESPN
Line: Bills by 4½
Preview | Baxter Bits
Joe Theismann's Sunday night spotlight

Why to watch:
Because neither of these 1998 playoffs can afford to fall into an 0-2 hole and both should be desperate after losing divisional games last week. The Jets will find out if there's life after Vinny Testaverde, who's out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. The Bills will try to find a running game that was missing in action during a season-opening 31-14 loss at Indianapolis. It wouldn't hurt if Buffalo could find its defense from 1998 instead of the unit riddled last week by Peyton Manning.

Who to watch:
Jets QB Rick Mirer is the man on the spot in New York for the rest of the season. He'd be best served to get the ball to Keyshawn Johnson, who had eight catches for 194 yards in the opener, or to hand it to Curtis Martin, who can be any quarterback's best friend. Buffalo held Martin to 92 yards on 41 carries in two '98 meetings. Bills QB Doug Flutie was held in check by the Jets defense in '98, as New York limited his mobility. Bills RB Antowain Smith was held to just seven yards on six carries in the opener. Bills DE Bruce Smith will definitely come after Mirer.

	MORE COVERAGE
	Joe Theismann's spotlight Jets wake up without Vinny Playbook: Keyshawn Johnson Playbook: Doug Flutie

Jets' number to know:
Mirer has started just three games in the last two seasons and hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since 1996. His quarterback rating since '96 is a microscopic 37.7.

Bills' number to know:
After starting 0-3 last season, Buffalo won 10 of its final 13 games. Two of the three losses in that 13-game stretch came against the Jets.

What it means:
Both teams need a win to avoid falling completely off the radar screen in the AFC East. The Jets need to prove they can win a game without Testaverde, and a victory would definitely lift the mood in a locker room that was like a morgue last week. The Bills also could use a confidence boost, and Flutie knows an 0-2 start might prompt some fans to start calling for Rob Johnson.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Jets' game plan:
When Bill Parcells coached the Giants and had Jeff Hostetler and Phil Simms, they won with a great running game, efficient passing and awesome defense. He adjusted to Drew Bledsoe when he went to New England.

Now with the Jets, Parcells' team plays solid defense, runs with Curtis Martin and passes efficiently. But when you take Vinny Testaverde out of the lineup, what does Parcells do now? He will ask Rick Mirer to throw 20 times, get 14 completions and not turn the ball over.

Then, New York will give the ball to Martin 35 times. Parcells is the best coach in the NFL and adjusts so well to his talent. The Jets will need to run Martin on early downs, try to establish a new line of scrimmage, and allow Mirer to use the short passing game. He will dink the football and not be in a situation where he will need to use his arm strength, which doesn't compare to Testaverde's. Parcells will try to keep Mirer out of situations that will expose his weaknesses. The Jets will use multiple formations, like they did last week against the Patriots, and pound the football, keeping things simple for Mirer. Martin becomes the offensive focus for the Jets.

On defense, the Jets need to keep containment on the outside. The Bills have a horizontal passing game to create lanes, and they like to run picks. The Jets will play more zone coverage, because what the Bills do against man coverage is pick for each other and run away. The Jets need to play straight up and make sure they don't lose containment on bootlegs or when Doug Flutie rolls out.

Every time Flutie steps up in the pocket, the Jets must make him step into the land of giants. I'd rather have Flutie take a five-step drop and try to beat me vertically than by letting him sidestep, find a lane and throw horizontally. The Jets line will play physical against an underperforming Bills offensive line and try to push the Bills line back at Flutie's feet.

Bills' game plan:
They don't have Thurman Thomas, and the offensive line isn't playing well. The Bills need to grab the offensive line by the facemask and say enough is enough. The line needs to take show pride here, because the Jets have just lost their quarterback and aren't happy. They will be angry and physical on defense.

The line needs to help Buffalo avoid long-yardage situations at all costs. Antowain Smith has been trying to get out of the doghouse, but even Terrell Davis can't run if there's no blocking in front of him. Buffalo must use motion and try to pin the Jets outside linebacker in. This will allow Flutie to get outside and create something.

The Bills also could have their receivers preparing for the crackback block on a toss sweep. That will get the end looking at the receiver and allow the tight end to hook him so Smith can break outside. The Bills need to establish a perimeter game running the ball, too. This will be a good opportunity for Smith to get out of the doghouse. They need to beat the Jets to the punch on the run and pass.

On defense, the Bills can't let Martin beat them. Because they will load up the line of scrimmage, Martin will need to beat them by running through two Bills who are unblocked. The Bills need to put their best defensive back in Keyshawn Johnson's face and belly up to Dedric Ward. They should play single coverage and stunt and blitz because Mirer hasn't seen a lot of football in game situations lately. They will put pressure on Mirer all game. If the Bills lose the game, it's because Mirer was able to beat them down the field. Also helping the Bills' cause against Mirer will be a loud Rich Stadium crowd.

Pivotal Player:
Mirer. He needs to complete his first-down passes. If Mirer can't get it done, Martin won't be able to run effectively on third-and-long. Mirer must execute, completing about 65 percent of his passes.