The Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills meet in Week 3 in Orchard Park, New York on Monday night in a game that could decide the direction of the Jaguars’ 2024 season.
Will Jacksonville be able to bounce back and finally break through offensively against a solid Buffalo defense? Or will Josh Allen and the Bills send the Jaguars to Kansas City in Week 4 after an 0-4 start?
The pressure is back on Jacksonville this week. The Jaguars (0-2) have scored just 30 points in two games, which is fourth-worst in the NFL. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is clearly bonding with his new weapons Brian Thomas Jr., the team’s first-round pick in April, and Gabe Davis, who spent his first four seasons in Buffalo. Meanwhile, Christian Kirk has mysteriously struggled to make an impact in the passing game.
Injuries could also be a factor in this matchup. Jacksonville will likely be without tight end Evan Engram, whom coach Doug Pederson called “week to week” because of a hamstring injury Monday. Top cornerback Tyson Campbell was placed on injured reserve last week with a hamstring issue.
More: NFL Week 3 Rankings: Are the Jaguars Really Among the Worst Teams in the League?
Buffalo lost star linebacker Matt Milano to a biceps injury in August. The Bills (2-0) also are expected to be without starting middle linebacker Terrel Bernard for this game because of a pectoral injury.
The Bills are coming off a short bye week after beating the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. It will take a monumental effort from Jacksonville to pull off an upset on the road, but the Jaguars definitely enter the MNF as the most desperate team. Here’s what the experts are saying:
NFL Predictions and Predictions Week 3: Jaguars vs Bills
Bill Bender, Jugo Mobile:Bills 30, Jaguars 27
Bender: “The Bills are at home for a Monday Night Football doubleheader. James Cook has been a great part of the offense with 198 total yards and three TDs. Trevor Lawrence has only one TD pass in two disappointing one-score losses. Jacksonville beat Buffalo 25-20 last season, and they’re playing with a sense of desperation here. Josh Allen, though, will be key in a game that will be decided a little higher than the over.”
Vinnie Iyer, Jugo Mobile:Bills 24, Jaguars 17
Iyer: “The Bills have been fantastic in their last two games with Josh Allen leading a more efficient, run-oriented attack and a diverse passing game under Joe Brady. Their defensive weakness is the run and coverage in the middle of the field, but with Trevor Lawrence looking too far downfield, they can put a lot of pressure on him on the outside. Meanwhile, Allen will be able to use his deep arm more often against a overwhelmed defense.”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Bills 30, Jaguars 16
Cluff: “The Bills appear to be an AFC contender heading into the season and will have no problem with a Jaguars team that is averaging 15 points per game.”
Iain MacMillan, Sports Illustrated: Jaguars coverage (+5.5)
MacMillan: “Jacksonville’s offense hasn’t been as bad as the final stats indicate. The Jaguars have plenty of issues on third down, ranking just 26.32 percent on third down conversions, and also converting red zone drives into touchdowns, but overall they still rank 16th in net yards per play at +0.2. This could also be a nice selling point for the Bills who have convinced everyone they’re the No. 2 or No. 3 team in the AFC after the first two weeks. I still have concerns about their roster, especially on defense, so I’m not ready to give them 5.5 points against a tough Jacksonville team just yet.”
