By Tim Graham
When the games count, so do the storylines.
Throughout the season, I'll cobble together a pack of links on the Buffalo Bills' upcoming opponent: position dramas, injuries and notable trends to be aware of.
The Bills will open the season Sunday against an AFC East rival, the New York Jets, at the Meadowlands.
The Bills have lost five straight games to the Jets and seven of their past eight meetings. The lone victory in that stretch was at the Meadowlands in 2009, when the Bills intercepted rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez five times and won in sudden death.
Here's what the New York media has written this morning about Gang Green:
* Brian Costello of the New York Post soothes panicky Jets fans by reassuring them their preseason woes do not reflect reality.
* Newsday columnist Bob Glauber contends backup quarterback Tim Tebow could be the biggest deciding factor in whether the Jets thrive or flop.
* Before a game has been played, Kristian Dyer of Metro New York ushers Jets head coach Rex Ryan straight to the hot seat.
* New York Daily News reporter Manish Mehta breaks down the Jets' roster by position, looking at strengths and weaknesses.
* J.P. Pelzman of the Record analyzes Sunday's matchup and puts right tackle Austin Howard in the spotlight. Howard will try to block Bills defensive end Mario Williams.
* ESPN New York writer Rich Cimini takes a look at veteran linebacking loudmouth Bart Scott, who is coming off a substandard season but says, "I think I can be the best I've ever been."
* Newsday reporter Kimberley A. Martin shares the impressive tale of how new Jets safety Yeremiah Bell went from hoisting steel for $8 an hour in Kentucky to the NFL.
* Wall Street Journal reporter Mike Sielski calls Sunday's game the Wildcat Bowl because of all the crossover ties to an offense both teams are committed to.
* New York Times reporter Ben Shpigel notes a roster change that could be a factor: The Jets switched out their punter Tuesday, dropping T.J. Conley for Robert Malone.
(Photo: Associated Press)
