JAGUARS (2-8) VS. BILLS (5-5)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, NEW ERA FIELD, ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 706
Announcers: Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein
About the Jaguars: Coach continued to look like a man whose days were numbered as his mistake-prone team lost its fifth consecutive game, 26-19 to the Detroit Lions. The defeat ensures a ninth consecutive non-winning season and dropped Bradley’s Jaguars record to 14-44. QB threw the 10th pick-six of his three-year career. Jacksonville also allowed a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown and NT
jumped offside on fourth down with just less than three minutes remaining, enabling the Lions to run valuable time off the clock. “Same old story, same old script every week,” CB said. “It’s been frustrating, but it’s getting extremely frustrating.” The defense limited the Lions to 277 yards and five third-down conversions in 14 attempts. The Jags probably have to win five of their last six for Bradley to retain his job.
Sparked by CB two interceptions, Buffalo defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 16-12 to snap a threegame losing streak and keep alive their slim playoff hopes. The Bills defense limited the Bengals to 38 yards and five punts on their first five second-half possessions, then batted away Andy Dalton’s Hail Mary pass on the final play. DT playing for just the second time this season, had four tackles and added a half-sack. Veteran DT
was a disruptive force throughout the game. “We take pretty wins, we take ugly wins,” Williams said. “We take wins however we can get them.” Buffalo probably needs to win five of its remaining six to land a wild card. Sunday’s victory was costly as the Bills lost WR (knee) and RB (thumb) to game-ending injuries in the first half. Woods might be out for the season. McCoy might play this week.
Even if McCoy is limited or out, Buffalo will rely on its NFLleading rushing attack. Reserve RB filled in admirably Sunday, rushing
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
for 72 yards on 14 carries. He’s averaging 5.8 yards a carry in relief of McCoy this season. The Jaguars, led by LB held the Lions to 14 rushing yards.
Player to watch: Bortles. The lofty expectations after a 35-touchdown passing season in 2015 haven’t been realized. The turnovers, especially the pick-sixes, continue to be an issue for the third-year quarterback. In 10 starts, Bortles has turned the ball over 16 times (13 interceptions, three lost fumbles). He has 62 turnovers in 40 career games.
Jacksonville’s road record in its last 22 games.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Taylor made: Bills QB Tyrod Taylor followed his best all-around game as a starter with a mediocre performance (zero TDs, one interception, 166 passing yards). It has been difficult to evaluate his performance with all the injuries to his receivers, but these final six games will be an audition to see if the Bills want to activate an extension that will guarantee Taylor about $27 million next season.
2. Don’t be so generous: A big reason the Jags are 2-8 is their NFL-worst minus 15 turnover ratio. The Bills have been among the league’s best at plus 8.
3. Ground and pound: The Bills top the league with 157.8 rushing yards a game, and one of their best weapons remains Taylor, who tops NFL QBs with 401 rushing yards. If RB
(ankle) can’t go, the Jags will rely on (75 receiving, 39 rushing yards on 23 touches vs. Detroit).
Scott Pitoniak