Jaguars defense forces three turnovers vs. Bills, pulls off massive upset

In a surprising turn of events, the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Buffalo Bills 9-6 in Week 9. Heading into the game, the Jags were a 15-point underdog and you would be hard-pressed to find someone who really thought they were going to pull the upset, especially with running back James Robinson out with an ankle injury.

Credit where credit is due. The Jaguars’ defense came up big, forcing three turnovers after managing a measly two in their previous seven games. Defensive Josh Allen was particularly dominant, registering a sack, snagging an interception, and recovering a fumble. Of course, it was a collective effort by the whole unit, and safety Rudy Ford, defensive tackle Taven Bryan, and edge rusher Dawuane Smoot also made plays.

Ford registered his first career interception in Week 9 and defensive tackle Taven Bryan registered the first multi-sack game of his four-year career in Jacksonville. Smoot provided the cherry on the top, forcing the fumble that Allen scooped.

Heading into the game, the Bills had the top scoring defense in the whole league but they only mustered nine points against a stout Jags’ defense that rattled quarterback Josh Allen all game long.

The Jaguars just got enough from their offense to beat the Bills.

Even though the Jags’ offense only managed 218 yards, they made enough plays to move the ball and keep drives alive. Sure, it would have been great if they had come out of the game with a couple of touchdowns but they avoided making big mistakes, which was key in such a close game.

Trevor Lawrence didn’t turn the ball over and avoided an injury scare. He left the game in the second quarter after hurting his ankle but his absence wasn’t a prolonged one, returning to the field in the second half. He went 15-of-16 for 118 and was sacked twice. Also of note is that the Jaguars crafted a balanced game plan and never abandoned the run.

Running back Carlos Hyde was serviceable in Robinson’s place, racking up 21 carries for 67 yards. The 2014 second-round pick lost a fumble early in the game but it didn’t have a lasting impact in the game, as Buffalo punted after recovering.

This is a big win for the Jaguars. They beat one of the best teams in the NFL, and show they can bounce back after a humiliating loss. Today, the Jags must celebrate their second victory of the 2021 season but moving forward, they need to be show consistency and not take a step backward.