AFC teams on opposite ends of the early-season spectrum meet today when the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills kick off the Week 3 Monday night doubleheader. The undefeated Bills are favored at home over the winless Jaguars.
After rallying to defeat Arizona at home in Week 1, Buffalo dominated Miami on the road last Thursday, making the most of three turnovers in a 31-10 victory. The offense flows through quarterback Josh Allen but running back James Cook was the star against the Dolphins with three total touchdowns.
Allen didn’t have to do much with the Bills in total control, and the reconfigured passing attack remains a work in progress. Second-year wide receiver Khalil Shakir has been reliable, but rookie Keon Coleman saw just one target last week after a promising debut, and tight end Dalton Kincaid has five catches for 44 yards through two games.
Jacksonville has lost its first two games by a combined eight points. The defense gave up plenty of yards to both Miami and Cleveland, particularly through the air, but the offense has had its share of issues. Trevor Lawrence has one touchdown pass and has already been sacked seven times. Travis Etienne is averaging less than four yards per carry and committed a critical fumble in the Week 1 loss to the Dolphins.
The gap between these two teams probably isn’t as big as the records indicate. But it’s clear that the Bills have all the momentum, and a trip to Highmark Stadium to face them isn’t exactly an ideal get-right matchup for the scuffling Jags.
