Preview: Bills vs Jets On Thursday Night Football

Rex Ryan will make his return to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Jets in his first matchup against his old team when the Gang Green hosts the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.

Is Rex gunning for revenge against his old club? He says, 'No'.

'At no point did I have this [game] circled,' Ryan said at his weekly news conference. 'Everyone knows me, I circle the Patriots, that's what I do,' Ryan quipped in the face of questions about his return.

However, while he's saying this game isn't a big deal, it's interesting to note that he's named IK Enemkpali the team's game-day captain, the linebacker who broke the jaw of Jets quarterback Geno Smith in a pre-season locker room fight. The Bills' coach say such a move is not uncommon when one of his player's is facing their old club, although, this case is obviously unique considering Enemkpali was cut for his conduct. You don't break you're starting QB's jaw in a fight. It's football 101.

It is interesting to think, though, that Enemkpali's punch may have been a blessing for Gang Green. Veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starter in place of Smith, and has played fairly well since: 13 touchdowns to 7 interceptions and leading the Jets to a 5-3 start, coming off a Week 9 win over Jacksonville.

Meanwhile, Ryan's Bills (4-4) have battle through injury issues of their own, with QB Tyrod Taylor, WRs Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin, and RBs LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams also missing significant time.  For the first time in more than a month, Taylor, Watkins, McCoy and Williams were all on the field together when the Bills beat Miami this past Sunday.

Don't expect the winner of this game come close to challenging the Patriots for the AFC East title, but a win hear is critical for both teams as they fight for a playoff spot.

Join WIBX 950 for LIVE coverage of the game, with Westwood One's pre-game show beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday night. NFL games are not streamed online or via RadioPup.