5 Storylines to Watch: Jaguars vs. Bills
A heartbreaking loss last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers could’ve been the nail in the coffin for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2018-2019 season. But, that doesn’t mean the Jaguars will give up, it’s not the Tom Coughlin way.
A road trip to Buffalo and an AFC Wildcard rematch against the Bills is next for a Jaguars team looking to find any form of success. Fans of the Black and Teal should be aware of these storylines going into the game.
Blake, Please – The 2018 season has been one to forget for Jaguars QB Blake Bortles, who has reverted back to some of his worst tendencies. Last week against the Steelers might’ve been an all-time low for Bortles though, as he only completed 10 passes for 104 yards.
Bortles didn’t make any plays to give the team an advantage, especially in the last four possessions of the game. It goes without saying that quarterback is the most important position in football, and if the Jaguars want to win any more games this season, their quarterback must play decent at best.
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This week Bortles is going against the best passing defense in the NFL, as the Bills are only allowing 202.4 yards per game. Bortles must be calm and smart with the football in his hands this week.
Ride the Fournette Train – Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette continues to be a force for the team after only two games. The standout running back went for 95 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers, as well as having 46 receiving yards.
This week will be a test for the Jaguars’ running games, as the Bills have allowed a ninth-best 99.8 rushing yards per game. Running Fournette and Co., and setting up for the play action is bread and butter for the Jaguars, look for them to utilize it as soon and as often as they can.
Sell out on McCoy – The Bills also have a star running back on their team, LeSean McCoy, who barrelled for 113 yards and two touchdowns the last time the Bills played in week 10. McCoy sets up the Bills offense and he will be the key player for the Jaguars to shut down.
Stopping the run game and forcing the quarterback into passing situations is exactly what the Jaguars want with their star cornerbacks lurking in the secondary.
Pressure the Rook – Bills QB Josh Allen will make his return to the field after missing four games with an elbow injury.
"Going back to his GQ interview, CB Jalen Ramsey said, “I think Allen is trash. I don’t care what nobody say. He’s trash. And it’s going to show too. That’s a stupid draft pick to me. We play them this year, and I’m excited as hell. I hope he’s their starting quarterback.”"
Ramsey will look to defend those comments, coming off the best game of his career, limiting Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and tacking on two interceptions. Jacksonville’s third-best 210.2 passing yards per game should bring problems for the young quarterback coming off injury.
I am Jaguars fan, win or lose. dark. Next
Full 60 Minutes – Jacksonville played 45 minutes of football and lost last week. This week, a full 60 minutes must be played out for this team in order for them to win. It’s more than likely going to be a defensive struggle, but the Jaguars were built for games like this Sunday’s.