The Buffalo Bills (2-0) have surprised some people through two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, and are looking to stay perfect as they host a defeated Jacksonville Jaguars team (0-2) on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 3. Given what we have seen from the two teams thus far, the Bills are favored to win the game by bookmakers, but there still are some causes for concern heading into Monday night. Below are three things to be wary of for the Bills as they take on the Jaguars in Week 3:
Covering the middle
At this point, it’s no secret that the middle of the Bills’ defense is a skeleton crew. Due to the injuries to Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, and Taron Johnson, young and unproven players are putting their names in the ring. All of Baylon Spector, Dorian Williams, and Cam Lewis have had flashes over the first couple of weeks, but it has mostly been in stopping the run. Pass coverage for them has been shaky in the middle of the field.
Yes, the Jaguars will most likely be without their top pass-catcher from last year Evan Engram, but slot receiver Christian Kirk is no slouch and others can step up as well. Once again, it will have to be a group effort in the middle of the field, because Milano, Bernard, and Johnson aren’t ready to lay it on the line. Johnson has a chance to return over the next couple of weeks.
Desperation factor
At 0-2, the Jaguars’ season is almost hanging in the balance already going into Week 3. And, a loss in Week 3 would be detrimental to their season.
According to this study by Sports Illustrated, 279 teams have opened the season 0-2 since 1990 and only 32 have made the postseason (11.5%). Falling to 0-3 crushes teams’ odds of making the playoffs. History says if the Jaguars lose on Monday night they will have a 2.5% chance to make the playoffs.
The Jaguars are already in desperation mode before the end of September and they should be fired up early on in Monday night’s game to avoid slipping to 0-3.
Bad blood
For whatever reason, the Jaguars have had the Bills’ number in the Sean McDermott and Josh Allen era. Since 2018, the Bills are 1-2 against the Jags, and the two losses were ugly, especially on offense. The 9-6 loss in 2021 parlayed with the loss in London in 2023 were two of the more frustrating regular season losses for the Bills’ franchise in the last few years.
Recent history is favoring the road team Monday night in this AFC matchup, and Bills players and coaches are most likely well aware of that. They haven’t beaten the Jaguars since Allen’s rookie year. That game is famous for cornerback Jalen Ramsey calling Allen “trash” as well as a fight breaking out between Leonard Fournette and Shaq Lawson. There’s a history of bad blood here.