Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills: Wild Card Preview

The Jaguars will win the game if…

…the team runs, runs, runs

It has been said for weeks, but Jacksonville has to get to the style of offense that the team thrives on. The running game has disappeared in recent weeks, and it’s no coincidence that the Jaguars have dropped two straight games.

Buffalo has been abysmal in run defense, allowing almost 125 yards a game and giving up a league high 22 rushing touchdowns. This has to be the game Jacksonville reasserts their bullying nature and wears down the Bills defense. Leonard Fournette has back-to-back games of 48 and 69 yards, respectively. He is overdue for a big day, and this is the perfect matchup to get it done.

Also important, is how much an efficient run attack would balance the passing game, and alleviate pressure on Blake Bortles. Without a rushing game the final two weeks, Bortles had to try to win the games with his arm. To his credit, Bortles rallied after throwing three picks against the 49ers to bring the team back to within one score in final two minutes of that game, but faltered heavily last week against the Titans without any support. Get the running game back on track, and let Bortles find the confidence he had in early December.

Hitting the playoffs on the two game skid, players have talked extensively about pressing the reset button and having a fresh start in the postseason. The running game has to be a major focus of the refresh. Expect the Jaguars to get back to ground and pound, and against a frail Buffalo run defense, Jacksonville can run right to Pittsburgh for the divisional round.