The Buffalo Bills' once-woeful offense may be coming together just in time to impress the team's prospective fans in Canada.
The New York Jets' resurgent defense, however, will be trying to help resuscitate the club's slim playoff hopes when the AFC East rivals tangle in Toronto on Thursday night, playing the Bills' second in a series of regular-season home games at Rogers Centre.
Seeking to reach out to fans across Lake Ontario, Buffalo is scheduled to play a total of five contests in Toronto - one per season through 2012 - but the experiment did not begin well last year, with many in attendance supporting Miami in the Bills' 16-3 loss on Dec. 7.
"I think you're always hoping to have a little bit more of an electric atmosphere for the home team," punter Brian Moorman said. "We'll see what happens with the Jets. But obviously, we'd like for the people across the border to be Bills fans."
On the heels of four straight losing seasons and a 3-7 start, the Bills (4-7) gave their home fans reason to cheer during a 31-14 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
After averaging 12.3 points in the previous eight games, Buffalo broke out with 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including a 51-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Terrell Owens - the second time the duo hooked up for a lengthy score in the last two weeks.
"It was nice for our team, I think it'll give us a boost," Fitzpatrick said. "I guess there's a renewed optimism."
A coaching change has apparently helped, with interim coach Perry Fewell earning his first win in the second game after replacing Dick Jauron. Fewell, who has never been a head coach at any level, may have limited time in the role with the Bills reportedly chasing former Denver coach Mike Shanahan.
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