• Rest benefit to the Bills: Buffalo is coming off prolonged relaxation, having final performed on Thursday, Sept. 12, when the group took residence a commanding victory over the Dolphins and captured the lead within the AFC East.
• We’re a shootout: Given the Bills’ highly effective offense, there’s a sturdy chance that Buffalo will not decelerate in Week 3. The Jaguars have run into some obtrusive protection points on the again finish that may undoubtedly go away them in a troublesome spot making an attempt to get matched up right here.
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Game Overview
There is not any higher strategy to spend Monday night time than with an NFL doubleheader.
The first sport on this Monday slate options the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills taking part in host to Trevor Lawrence’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Buffalo is coming off prolonged relaxation, having final performed on Thursday, Sept. 12, when the group took residence a commanding victory over the Dolphins and captured the lead within the AFC East.
Bills RB James Cook exploded for 3 scores on simply 12 touches en path to an 87.3 PFF offensive grade, the very best mark amongst qualifying backs in Week 2. And although Josh Allen did not ship considered one of his dominant statistical outings, he was efficient when it mattered, posting a 77.2 total grade and guiding his group to a 2-0 begin to the season.
Now, the Bills offense heads into Week 3 because the second-most environment friendly unit within the league when it comes to EPA per play over the past two weeks.
Jacksonville hasn’t been fairly as efficient to start out the 12 months, largely struggling to search out its id on offense. Ideally, this offense would run at a excessive stage by way of Trevor Lawrence and this passing sport, however some difficulties creating separation and premature accidents have hindered outcomes for this Jags offense.
In an unlucky flip, Jags tight finish Evan Engram pulled his hamstring in pregame warmups earlier than kickoff in Week 2, leaving this offense down a vital piece to the manufacturing puzzle. Engram is once more slated to overlook this sport.
Despite wanting sturdy out of the gate this season, Buffalo holds a 0-1 report towards the unfold as a favourite at residence. At the identical time, Jacksonville has lined its solely highway sport up to now. Oddly sufficient, each of the aforementioned video games got here towards the Dolphins.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills: Over 45.5 whole factors scored (-105): 1% PFF Greenline Edge
Given the Bills’ highly effective offense, highlighted by distinctive skills like Josh Allen and James Cook, there’s a sturdy chance that Buffalo isn’t about to decelerate in Week 3. The Jaguars have run into some obtrusive protection points on the again finish that may undoubtedly go away them in a troublesome spot making an attempt to get matched up right here.
Jaguars safeties Andre Cisco (35.9 PFF protection grade) and Antonio Johnson (46.0) have struggled mightily in protection this 12 months, incomes bottom-five protection grading marks so far into the season. That’s a vital weak point towards a quarterback like Allen, who has posted a powerful 94.7 PFF passing grade on throws of 10 or extra yards downfield.
The Bills, nonetheless, are coping with accidents to key contributors on protection, similar to linebacker Terrel Bernard (pec) and cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm), who’re slated to overlook this one.
In step security Cam Lewis and linebacker Baylon Spector, who’ve struggled in protection, with neither producing a grade over 50.5.
That looks like the makings of a shootout.