Jacksonville vs. Buffalo : History and Interesting Facts
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
All-time record:
Jacksonville vs. Buffalo History 6-6 (including playoffs)
Jags Home Record 3 – 2 Bills Home Record 3 – 4
Jags Avg. score 21.2 Bills Avg. score 21.3
Interesting Facts:
The 1996 playoff game in which the Jaguars shocked the heavily favored Bills holds many interesting facts.
It was the first time the two franchises played each other.
The Jags handed the Bills their first playoff loss ever in Rich Stadium.
The Jags knocked Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly out of the game with a concussion.
That ended up being Kelly’s final game.
All six games won by the Bills were with a different QB behind the center.
1998 – Doug Flutie
2001 – Rob Johnson
2003 – Drew Bledsoe
2006 – J. P. Losman
2008 – Trent Edwards
2012 – Ryan Fitzpatrick
The Jags and the Bills have an interesting connection in Rob Johnson:
The Jags drafted the QB in the 4th round of the 1995 inaugural draft.
He sat and mostly watched for the first two years as a backup.
Mark Brunell, the starter, was hurt in the second preseason game of the 1997 season and Rob Johnson started the remainder of the preseason.
Starting the first game of the 1997 season, Johnson completed 20 of 24 passes for 294 yds. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. That performance is still the highest completion percentage in any debut performance by a QB in the history of the NFL.
Brunell would return and Johnson got limited time for the remainder of the season.
The Jags would trade Rob Johnson before the 1998 season to the Bills in exchange for a first and fourth round pick in that year’s draft.
The 1st round pick ended up being 9th overall and the Jags used it to draft Fred Taylor out of the University of Florida. Taylor went on to play eleven seasons for the Jags and is now in their “Ring of Fame”.
Rob Johnson played four injury-riddled seasons with the Bills going 12-17 as a starter before being allowed to leave as a free agent.
Sunday’s matchup and game prediction:
The Bills (4-9) travel to Everbank Field for a 1pm matchup against the Jaguars (4-9). The Jags have won four of their last five games. The Bills have lost four of their last five. Advantage Jags
The Bill enter the game about as healthy as they’ve been all season. The Jags injury list included Maurice Jones-Drew, Cecil Shorts, Brad Meester, Jason Babin, Sen’Derrick Marks, Roy Miller, and Josh Scobee. Advantage Bills
The Bills are 1-5 on the road this year. The Jags are 1-4 at home. Advantage NO ONE!
Looking at the statistics, the dismal record at home, and all the injury concerns, any rationally intelligent person would be picking the Bills. But I’m feeling a little crazy lately. There’s no doubt we are the hotter team right now. It’s not hyperbole to state we appear at times to be a team of destiny. I was ready to write this season off just five weeks ago as the worst in team history. But now…PLAYOFFS BABY!!!!!
Final Score – Buffalo Bills 16, Jacksonville Jaguars 21
Completely biased article by Michael McDonald
Feel free to call me a homer on twitter @gumbussy