Breaking down the matchups to watch as Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills look to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Buffalo Bills (12-5) earned the six seed in the AFC playoff field this season, and their reward is a Wild Card showdown with Trevor Lawrence and the third-seeded Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4).
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by sharing the key matchups to watch and positional analysis as quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills look to win a road playoff game for the first time since the since the 1992 AFC title game, a span of eight consecutive road playoff losses.
Bills vs. Jaguars story lines to watch
Linked below: How Buffalo’s talented offensive line holds the key to knocking off a Jaguars team that leads the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed per game (85.6) and allowed only 3.9 yards per rush (fifth-best in the league); why James Cook III, Ray Davis, and Ty Johnson should have success running the ball behind Buffalo’s interior offensive linemen; and how left tackle Dion Dawkins and the o-line must not only open up holes for James Cook and the league’s best ground game, but must also give Josh Allen time to throw and keep the Jaguars’ talented pass rushers at bay.
Plus, how the pressure is on head coach Sean McDermott to earn his first road win of his coaching tenure (he’s 0-5 all-time); what made the Jaguars the league’s hottest team, riding an eight-game winning streak into the playoffs and averaging 33.6 points per game while beating teams by an average of 19.1 points per game; how Trevor Lawrence has developed into a points machine, accounting for 24 touchdowns compared to only five interceptions during the winning streak; how Buffalo’s secondary will need to disrupt Lawrence’s rhythm on in-breaking routes to wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington.
Also: how Buffalo’s run defense should be able to contain a Jacksonville rushing attack that ranks 20th in the league in rushing yards per game (115 yards/game); whether the Bills’ defense can build upon its recent run of success down the stretch; how linebacker Matt Milano’s “infectious” play is inspiring his teammates; how a healthy Joey Bosa should make Buffalo’s pass rush dangerous in the playoffs; and more!
- The Bills are finally getting healthy — will it be enough to topple the Jaguars? – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Secret sauce to Bills beating the Jaguars? A big key is the O-line – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- Top 5 storylines for Bills at Jaguars | AFC Wild Card Round – BuffaloBills.com
- Bills Mailbag: Identifying the four keys to victory against the Jaguars – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- ‘Chess match’: Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence ready for challenging Bills defense – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills gear up for red-hot quarterback as Jaguars surge into playoffs – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills rushing champ faces biggest test yet in AFC wild-card clash – Democrat & Chronicle
- Gut-check time for Bills’ defense: Which version will show up in the playoffs? – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Inside the Bills: Try as they might to block it out, the pressure is real for Sean McDermott and Josh Allen – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- NFL wild-card storylines: Pressure on Josh Allen; can Aaron Rodgers snap Steelers’ skid? – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Why the Bills stand out in a ‘toss up’ AFC playoffs — it’s more than just the QB – BuffaloBills.com
- The Sean McDermott Show | Previewing The Wild Card Round Against The Jaguars – BuffaloBills.com
- Matt Milano’s recent play ‘infectious’ for Bills’ defense entering playoffs – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills DE Bosa hopes feeling healthiest he ever has entering a playoffs translates into success – WGRZ
- It may seem the Bills have an easier playoff path this year, but do they? – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills ready for road trip to Jacksonville to start playoff journey – WGRZ
- Bills vs. Jaguars | Weekly notes, quotes and stats before AFC Wild Card Round – BuffaloBills.com
- OPINION: Jaguars on a roll going into playoffs – WGR 550
- Why no one wants to face Jaguars now, including Bills – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Analysis: Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium has been a house of horrors recently for Bills – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills vs. Jaguars history: Buffalo winless against Jacksonville in playoffs – Democrat & Chronicle
- Scoop City: Path to victory for every wild-card team – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Six wild-card teams, six paths to wins: Game-plan keys, plus each lower seed’s chances to win it all – ESPN.com
- NFL wild-card round: Rams huge favorites; Packers, Bills, Texans road favorites – ESPN.com
2 Bills earn All-Pro honors
While Josh Allen was nowhere to be found on the Associated Press’ NFL All-Pro voting, kick returner Ray Davis was named First-Team All-Pro and running back James Cook, the NFL’s rushing leader, earned Second-Team All-Pro honors.
- Bills kick returner Ray Davis named first-team All-Pro; James Cook lands on second team – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Snubbed? Buffalo Bills running back led the NFL in rushing but just got passed over for major honor – newyorkupstate.com
- James Cook, Ray Davis named to NFL’s All-Pro teams – WGR 550
- Bills running backs James Cook III and Ray Davis make NFL All-Pro Teams – BuffaloBills.com
- Stafford, Garrett, Nacua top NFL All-Pro Team – ESPN.c0m
Even more Bills news
Examining the reasons why the Bills could win the Super Bowl, and what could prevent them from winning it all. Plus, running through the list of teams to win three straight road games to play in the Super Bowl; identifying Buffalo’s uniform choice for Wild Card weekend; how quarterback Josh Allen has made himself the center of Buffalo’s universe; the rumor mill is already linking fired Baltimore Ravens as Buffalo’s next head coach; and more!
- Why each AFC playoff team will win the Super Bowl, and why they won’t – The Athletic (subscription required)
- The Bills need 3 road wins to reach the Super Bowl; here are the 5 teams who did it – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Can the Bills host a playoff game? Buffalo’s path to one last game at Highmark Stadium – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills reveal uniform combo for wild card clash in Jacksonville – WGRZ
- From the end zone to the produce aisle, Josh Allen is the center of Buffalo’s universe – The Athletic (subscription required)
- John Harbuagh could be hired as Buffalo Bills’ next head coach, writes NFL insider – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Show me the money: Darnold, Dowdle among players to strike it rich in incentives – ESPN.com
- Bills Backers of Jacksonville eager to welcome back ‘Bills Mafia’ for playoff matchup with Jaguars – WGR 550
- Buffalo Bills fans have opportunity to own stadium urinal troughs from Highmark Stadium – newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills rule out 3 players for playoff game vs. Jaguars – Buffalo Rumblings
- Will the Bills finally defeat the Jaguars in the playoffs? – Buffalo Rumblings
- Jaguars’ could give Bills fits in playoff matchup – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills vs Jaguars referee tends to let the players play – Buffalo Rumblings
- Ravens want to interview Joe Brady for their head coach job – Buffalo Rumblings
- Can you guess this Bills defensive end in today’s in-5 trivia game – Buffalo Rumblings
Category: General Sports
