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NFL Playoffs 2018: Bills vs. Jaguars preview, score prediction

By Stephen Forsha

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 10: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the football against D.J. Alexander #58 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of their game at EverBank Field on December 10, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 10: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the football against D.J. Alexander #58 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of their game at EverBank Field on December 10, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars are both feel-good stories of the AFC Playoffs with both going over a decade since their last playoff appearance. The Jaguars enter this game as the AFC South champions with a 10-6 record, and the Bills stand at 9-7 overall, making the playoffs at the very last moment when the Cincinnati Bengals upset the Baltimore Ravens in the final seconds in Week 17.

Even with the two teams new to the playoffs, this could be the more entertaining game of the two for the fact not many players on either team have very much, if any playoff experience, making it a total mystery how the players on both side will react.

The Bills are still unsure about having running back LeSean McCoy in the lineup as he had an ankle injury in Week 17 and was carted off the field. Even if McCoy is active, who knows how healthy he is and how he’ll hold up against a very good Jaguars defense. This season, McCoy has rushed for over 1,100 yards and six touchdowns.

Speaking of the Jaguars’ defense, they ranked either first or second in points allowed per game, total yards allowed per game and passing yards allowed per game. Then comes the rushing yards allowed at 116.2 yards per game, making this a very interesting showdown, especially if McCoy is able to play at a high level.

The game will be played on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET on CBS.

Keys To Victory

Jaguars

1. Offense needs to keep scoring at same level: The Jaguars are fifth in the NFL in scoring with 26.1 ppg, and they’ve done so with Blake Bortles playing better this season than he has in the past, plus it doesn’t hurt to have Leonard Fournette and his 1,040 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on their side, either. If the Jaguars score 26 or more points in this Wild Card game, they will win.

2. Keep the positive turnover ratio: Jacksonville enters the game with a +10 turnover ratio, and if they force the Bills into turnovers with their strong defense, the Bills won’t have a chance to compete in this game. Jacksonville has the players to do so to Buffalo, giving them the edge when their defense is on the field.

Bills

1. Tyrod Taylor needs to keep momentum: In his past three games, Taylor has passed for over 200 yards, and in Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins he had a completion percentage of 70.4 percent with one touchdown in a 22-16 win. The issue with keeping up momentum for Taylor is not being sacked as much, as the past two weeks he’s been sacked a total of 10 times.

2. Defense of the Bills needs quick improvement: If Buffalo allows their season-average 124.6 rushing yards per game and over 355 yards total in the game, well, it will be a long day for them. If they can keep those numbers significantly lower, Buffalo can keep the Jaguars from what they do best.

Odds

Point Spread: Jaguars -9
Moneyline: Bills +300, Jaguars -400
Over/Under: 39

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Prediction

This game has the feeling that the Jaguars will be the victors of this game with Jacksonville being nearly a 10-point favorite. Barring Blake Bortles falling back into negative quarterback play that has cost wins at various times throughout his career, the defense of the Jaguars is good enough to fend off the Bills, and that will be the biggest difference in this game.

The Jaguars defense should take over this game, and if they do, they will move on to the divisional round of the playoffs.

Pick: Buffalo Bills: 12, Jacksonville Jaguars: 24

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