Jenna’s Outlook Week 5: Bills (3-1) vs Jaguars (2-2)

It’s Buffalo Bills game day. You planned on waking up at 11:30 am Eastern, probably, just in time for the game-day inactive report. Your coffee is brewing, and you’re preparing to execute your weekly routine which consists of superstitious idiosyncrasies — because otherwise, the Bills might lose. You turn on the TV to NFL Gameday Live, but — that’s really weird — they’re already showing Bills-Jaguars highlights. Why are they showing highlights already? Then it hits you… The game started a couple hours ago. Don’t be like this guy!

The Buffalo Bills will kick off in London, England on Sunday at 9:30 am Eastern against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both clubs are tied with their division rivals (the Bills and Dolphins are both 3-1, the Jaguars are 2-2 with the rest of the AFC South), so a win by either one would help propel their hopes of repeating a division title.

Although the Jaguars haven’t made a lot of noise thus far in the NFL, it would be foolish to downplay the damage they could do to the Bills in this matchup. After all, they did beat the Bills back in 2021 in an uncharacteristic 9-6 loss by Buffalo, and that was when the Jaguars had held the first overall pick in back-to-back years.

The atmosphere of the game should have an effect as well. It’s not like this game will be played at home, or in a rival stadium. There will be fans from all NFL teams there, and even spectators who have never watched a game of American football. Needless to say, they will get loud no matter which offense is on the field. The Bills will need to work on their silent count! 

So, prepare your beans on toast and Earl Gray tea, and pay attention as I detail the matchup to watch and my game prediction in this upcoming contest! 

Matchup to Watch Out For: QB Josh Allen vs. OLB Josh Allen

This is the matchup that everyone has been waiting for. Some might say that this is the Josh Allen Bowl II. No, it did not go very well last time for the quarterback. In 2021, the Bills faced the Jaguars in Week 9. QB Josh Allen had a less than ideal outing. He posted a stat line of 31/47 for 264 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions, as well as one fumble. To make matters worse, one of the interceptions was made by OLB Josh Allen (he also recovered the fumble).

The Jaguars’ Josh Allen also had one sack. His performance earned him an AFC Defensive Player of the Week award — ouch. Let’s hope that it works out the opposite way for the Bills this time around. QB Josh Allen has been efficiently recording stats in 2023, and will be coming off of a stellar win over the Miami Dolphins in a 48-20 victory. So we could easily assume that he will carry his dominance into this game. Also, the offensive line will be much improved. Last time the Bills and Jags faced each other, Buffalo did not have LG Connor McGovern, RG O’Cyrus Torrence, or RT Spencer Brown.

OLB Josh Allen is tied for the league lead in sacks with 6.0, so containing him will not be easy. Thankfully, the Bills offensive line has been performing at an elite level. According to Computer Cowboy, they lead the league in Pass Protection Composite Rating. Torrence and McGovern have certainly taken the Bills offensive line to new heights. The improved play of Spencer Brown and the consistent dominance of LT Dion Dawkins have helped as well.

The fact that QB Josh Allen has limited his turnovers the past three weeks bodes well for the seasoned vet. He will face a familiar foe, perhaps his identifiable doppelgänger, and hopefully he will beat him this time around! 

Prediction: Von Miller plays less than 10 snaps

There is a chance that Von Miller suits up for his very first game of 2023 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before DE Greg Rousseau was injured, I would’ve said no way. Now, he will be out of Sunday’s lineup with a foot injury. That could allow Von Miller to make his debut, but I don’t think he will get as much action as people realize. Having just a few practices under his belt, it probably wouldn’t be wise to have him play a full game. Rather they should ease him back slowly. I believe that Miller will play less than ten snaps in this game, using him solely on crucial third downs. I expect the Bills to elevate DE Cameron Kline for this game so that they have another defensive end available in the rotation.

Conclusion 

The Buffalo Bills will take a trip across the pond to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in a matchup that will likely determine playoff seedings down the line. Will the Bills continue their dominance, or will they have one of their inevitable hiccups? I don’t think that will be the case this week.

QB Josh Allen will look to enact his revenge on the other Josh Allen, who unfortunately took him to the woodshed a couple years ago in an uncharacteristic outing by the Bills. If DE Von Miller plays on Sunday, that could be the real game changer. Although the Bills defense has been playing lights out for the 2023 season, they are dealing with an injury in their defensive end room. Having Von Miller back, just in time, will be a huge plus. 

Remember to check out next week’s edition of Jenna’s Outlook as the Buffalo Bills take on the New York Giants at home on Sunday Night Football!

Featured Image Credit: AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes