By Jerry Sullivan Buffalo News.com - One thing about Rex Ryan, he's not one to shy away from a strong opinion. When I suggested that Darrelle Revis was his MVP this season, the Jets' head coach saw my argument and raised me a superlative.

"Revis is the best player in football," Ryan said Wednesday via conference call. "It doesn't matter midseason, postseason, whatever. There's only one Darrelle Revis in this league, and we're fortunate to have him."

It helps to have a cornerback who turns Sunday into a bye week for the opposition's top receiver. Revis defines the term "shutdown corner." The guy could shut down the government. The question isn't whether he's the best in the league, it's why anyone bothers to throw his way anymore.

Revis has made three straight Pro Bowls. And he's getting better. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed only 10 receptions all year. The longest was for 26 yards. Opposing quarterbacks have a 2.9 rating when throwing in the direction of "Revis Island."

The amazing thing is, teams are throwing at him more than in years past. Ryan got fed up with some of the ragged play in his secondary and decided to have Revis shadow the opponent's No. 1 wideout on virtually every play. So you'll know where to find him when the Jets play here Sunday.

"You just look for Stevie [Johnson] and you'll find him," said Bills coach Chan Gailey. "That's what they've shown in previous games. Whoever is deemed their No. 1 receiver, he lines up and takes him all over the field."

Teams have to test Revis. You can't forfeit your top receiver, no matter how dubious the strategy. Johnson didn't get this far by shying away from a challenge. He sees Revis not as an island fraught with peril, but his latest challenge.

"It's nothing different," Johnson said. "I prepare for him the same way I do any other week. I mean, we're in the NFL. All the DBs are good. This dude, Revis, he's proven himself over and over. So it's just another challenge for us wideouts."

The Bills can't abandon Johnson, who has been a reliable No. 1 wideout since Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as QB. Going back to 2010, Johnson has caught at least four passes in 11 straight games. He's on pace for 89 catches, 1,003 yards and 9 TDs. He had 82 catches, 1,073 yards and 10 TDs a year ago.

Fitz will have to use all his weapons, as he has all season. He's completed 67.7 percent of his passes. Six players have at least 13 catches. Fred Jackson and Scott Chandler have been major parts of the passing game. It's not as if they can't score without Stevie having a big day.

"We've done a good this year of spreading the ball around and throwing to the open guy, the guy with the good matchup," Fitzpatrick said. "I think Revis is the best corner in the game. But I'm not going to shy away from him, because Stevie's a great receiver."

Gailey trusts his franchise QB to make the right read and not force the ball into tough spaces. Fitz said one of his goals was to improve his percentage this year. Last season, he completed 57.8 percent of his throws. His accuracy is up 10 percent, which is remarkable.

You have to be wary against the Jets. Ryan likes to disguise coverages and dupe quarterbacks into throwing toward Revis. They'll show a man-to-man look, then switch into zone before the snap. Johnson says he's ready. One shutdown corner isn't enough to stop an offense averaging 30 points a game.

"They try to use their line and their linebackers to confuse you and get the ball out fast," Johnson said, "so the DBs don't have to cover for too long. We're a better team now. We'll be able to put up with all the junk they throw at us.

"We don't back down at all. If you back down, you might as well be out of this league. We will go at anybody."