Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins isn’t one to shy away from telling the media how he feels, especially when it comes to his thoughts on facing the New York Jets.
Ahead of the Week 6 clash on “Monday Night Football,” Dawkins was honest about the rivalry between the two AFC East teams.
“The tensions are just high,” Dawkins said in a press conference this week. “They talk, we talk. And we’re entertainers. I’m for sure an entertainer. Why not? … I like tension.”
“Who wants to play when everybody’s friends,” he added. “Let’s push ourselves.”
The Bills (3-2) will have to push themselves to get back on track Monday night. Not only is the team coming off back-to-back losses, but they have also lost their last two games at Metlife Stadium against the Jets (2-3)
The team is aware of their shortcomings in recent years against the Jets. They need a win to maintain control of the AFC East. With a loss, New York would become the division leader.
Even though Dawkins has a history of disliking the Jets, what he does like is the great competition between the two teams.
“Number eleven [Jermaine Johnson] … he’s hurt. Like even though imma talk my stuff, I wish that he was playing,” Dawkins said. “I like great competition. I actually prayed for him the other night. I’m hoping for a speedy recovery so we can get at it when he comes back.”
While Dawkins is tossing the fuel onto the fire that is the Bills-Jets rivalry, this one will be different than in recent memory. Robert Saleh was fired as New York’s head coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was named the interim.
A longtime NFL man both as a player and coach, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott is not taking Ulbrich’s appointment lightly.
“A lot of respect for him as a player years ago and then also a lot of respect for him as a coach, what he’s done with that defense,” McDermott said. “We look forward to the challenge.”
There’s a lot on the line for both teams in Week 6. Not only is the division lead up for grabs but both teams are trying to get back on track after setbacks in recent weeks.
The talking from players like Dawkins leading up to the matchup just adds to the game’s intensity.
Listen to the full soundbite from Dawkins here:
LT Dion Dawkins on why he seems to have some extra animosity for the Jets: “The tensions are just high. They talk, we talk, and we’re entertainers… It’s what I do. Shnowman going to cause some tension.” #Bills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/cvbHwebYJX
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) October 10, 2024