The Buffalo Bills are set to begin their playoff journey against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are riding high on an impressive eight-game winning streak. The match is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2024, at 1 p.m. EST, and will be broadcast on CBS. According to BetMGM, the Bills are slight favorites, with odds of Buffalo by 1.
Both teams bring notable statistics into this postseason matchup. The Bills, with a record of 12-5, rank fourth overall in offensive performance, while their defense holds strong at seventh in the league. In contrast, the Jaguars, boasting a 13-4 record, have shown balanced play, with their offense placing eleventh and defense ranking eleventh as well. The historical rivalry is even, with both teams tied at 10-10 in their series record, although Jacksonville has triumphed in both prior postseason meetings.
The last encounter between these two teams occurred on September 23, 2024, when the Bills defeated the Jaguars decisively, 47-10, in Buffalo. Both teams are entering the playoffs with momentum; the Jaguars recently dominated the Tennessee Titans, winning 41-7, while the Bills secured a convincing 35-8 victory against the New York Jets.
As the Bills prepare for this crucial game, all eyes will be on their quarterback, Josh Allen. He enters the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season with a playoff record of 7-6, including four losses on the road. This season, Allen has completed 65.7% of his passes, averaging 258 yards per game, and has thrown 33 touchdowns—25 passing, 7 rushing, and 1 receiving—while limiting himself to just four interceptions and two lost fumbles.
On the other side, Jaguars running back Travis Etienne may be playing his final game for Jacksonville as he approaches free agency. Despite achieving a career-high of 13 total touchdowns, he has not reached 100 yards rushing since late September. This game presents a critical opportunity for him against a Bills defense that has allowed over 150 yards rushing on seven occasions this season.
The matchup features a compelling contrast: the NFL’s top rushing attack, led by Buffalo’s James Cook, who finished the season with 1,621 rushing yards, against Jacksonville’s elite run defense, which allowed an average of only 85.6 yards per game. The Jaguars achieved a remarkable feat this season, becoming the first team since 2000 to prevent any player from rushing for 75 yards in a game.
In terms of injuries, the Bills will be without defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and fellow defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who is on injured reserve with a torn bicep and knee issues. Rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston is also not expected to play. Kicker Matt Prater is questionable due to a quadriceps injury, while linebacker Terrel Bernard is being monitored for a calf injury.
For the Jaguars, both right guard Patrick Mekari and left tackle Cole Van Lanen are anticipated to return after missing previous games due to injuries. This return could strengthen Jacksonville’s offensive line as they prepare to face a formidable Bills defense.
Historically, the Jaguars have had the upper hand in recent matchups, winning three of the last four games against Buffalo, including a wild-card game during the 2017 season. The Bills have struggled in playoff conditions, losing their last eight road playoff games, a streak that has become the NFL’s second-longest, trailing only the Detroit Lions’ twelve consecutive losses.
Buffalo’s head coach Sean McDermott has overseen a playoff record of 7-7 in nine seasons, with several losses occurring on the road. The Bills have shown resilience this season, overcoming halftime deficits in six of their games and rallying back from double-digit deficits in the fourth quarter.
As this playoff game approaches, both teams are aware of the stakes involved. With the Jaguars averaging 33.6 points during their remarkable winning streak, they will look to maintain their momentum against a Bills team eager to break their playoff road losing streak and advance further in the postseason.
In conclusion, the matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars promises to be a thrilling encounter, filled with high stakes, intense competition, and the potential for spectacular individual performances. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see which team emerges victorious in this pivotal playoff clash.