Bills (5-2) at Jaguars (1-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida TV: CBS
Tipico Sportsbook line: Bills by 14 ⁄2
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Bills’ keys to victory: Buffalo needs to avoid the slow start it had against Miami, when it only scored three points in the first two quarters in Week 8. That’s exactly what the young Jags roster could build confidence from and make it close. QB Josh Allen should use his arm and legs to make sure his team gets ahead early. On defense, Jordan Poyer and the secondary need to limit the shifty Jamal Agnew. There’s not much explosiveness to the Jags roster in a scenario that they are without the injured James Robinson.
Jags’ keys to victory: It boils down to the status of Robinson, who exited Week 8’s game in Seattle with an ankle injury. The team was lost without him, and Trevor Lawrence and the offense only put up seven points in Seattle. Defensively, the Jags will have to slow receivers Stefon Diggs and Emmanuel Sanders after struggling against Tyler Lockett in Week 8 (140 yards). With a lack of talent at cornerback, the Jags might be better off having Shaquill Griffin trail Diggs and maybe put veteran Nevin Lawson in the lineup over rookie Tyson Campbell.
Matchup to watch: Bills LT Dion Dawkins vs. Jags LB Josh Allen: Allen has looked like the player the Jags hoped to get when he fell in their lap seventh overall. If he’s successful against Dawkins, the game will be tighter than expected.
Who wins? Having playoff experience under its belt, the Bills are the more talented team. If it hits the Jags in the mouth first and play to its talent, it should be a smooth day for Buffalo.
Bills, 34-14