The New York Jets host the Buffalo Bills at MetLife

New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) reacts after overthrowing a pass in the end zone late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Jets lost 22-17. East Rutherford, NJ 11/13/15 (Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

FLORHAM PARK -- For all his flaws, Rex Ryan has always been pretty good at coaching the defensive side of the ball.

OK. That's an understatement. Ryan is undeniably one of the best defensive minds in the NFL today. He has made a name for himself ruining offensive game plans each Sunday. Again, Ryan's not perfect, but the Bills' head coach knows how to drive quarterbacks crazy.

The Jets' Ryan Fitzpatrick is no exception. Heck, it's a bit surprising Ryan hasn't had him committed yet.

"I just think he's a smart coach," Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. "He does a good job."

During their overlapping 12 years together in the NFL, Fitzpatrick and Ryan have matched up 11 times. Rarely has No. 14 come out on the winning end of things.

In those games, Fitzpatrick has a 2-8 record (we didn't count a third game because Fitzpatrick threw only eight passes), a completion percentage of 47 and has thrown 16 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. His average game? 13 of 28 for 165 yards with 1.45 touchdowns and one pick.

"Rex's defenses over the years, the thing about them is they're so multiple," Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. "It's changed a little bit. It's gotten a little bit different based on personnel. When he's here versus when he's there, and year to year, you see differences too."

If the Jets hope to make the playoffs this season, Fitzpatrick is going to need to figure out a way to have success against Ryan. The Jets lost their season opener to the Bengals. If they fall again Thursday night in Buffalo, their record will be 0-2.

Since the NFL's changed to this present playoff format, just 12 percent of the teams that have started the season with two straight losses made the playoffs that same year. Since 2007, just seven percent have made it.

If that's not enough, the Jets' next four games are against the Chiefs, Seahawks, Steelers and Cardinals-- all four teams not only made the postseason last year, but advanced to the second round.

If the Jets don't take care of business against the Bills, well, things don't exactly get easier. An 0-2 start could quickly turn to 0-3, 0-4, 0-5 or 0-6.

"There (is a) sense of urgency," Bowles said earlier this week. "We don't want to go 0-2."

*

Here is a look at Ryan Fitzpatrick's stat line in each of his games against Ryan:

2008

LOSS:

Ravens 34, Bengals 3

Fitzpatrick:

12/31, 124 yards

2009

WIN:

Bills 16, Jets 13

Fitzpatrick: 10/25, 116 yards, TD, INT

LOSS: Jets 19, Bills 13

Fitzpatrick: 9/23, 98 yards, INT

2010

LOSS

: Jets 38, Bills 14

Fitzpatrick

: 12/27, 128 yards, 2 TD

2011

LOSS

: Jets 27, Bills 11

Fitzpatrick

: 15.31, 191 yards, TD, 2 INT

LOSS: Jets 28, Bills 24

Fitzpatrick: 26/39, 264 yards, 3 TD

2012

LOSS

: Jets 48, Bills 28

Fitzpatrick

: 18/32, 195 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT

WIN: Bills 28, Jets 9

Fitzpatrick: 12/26, 225 yards, TD

2013

:

WIN

: Titans 38, Jets 13

Fitzpatrick

: 3/8, 108 yards, TD

2015

:

LOSS

: Bills 22, Jets 17

Fitzpatrick

: 15/34, 193 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

LOSS: Bills 22, Jets 17

Fitzpatrick: 16/37, 181 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.