Buffalo Bills: What to expect from their AFC opponents in 2021
By Aaron Tully
![Jaguars quarterbacks (3) C.J. Beathard, (16) Trevor Lawrence and (15) Gardner Minshew II during drills at Tuesday’s minicamp session. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their Tuesday morning session of the team’s mandatory minicamp at the practice fields outside TIAA Bank Field, June 15, 2021. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 061521 Jaguarsveterans 2](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F0ffba0db0eecced613105fb0e641dc862e18d73638642f5fbba1a4d460423259.jpg "Jaguars quarterbacks (3) C.J. Beathard, (16) Trevor Lawrence and (15) Gardner Minshew II during drills at Tuesday’s minicamp session. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their Tuesday morning session of the team’s mandatory minicamp at the practice fields outside TIAA Bank Field, June 15, 2021. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 061521 Jaguarsveterans 2")
Jacksonville Jaguars
2020 Finish: 1-15
The Jacksonville Jaguars have completely started over in 2021. Long gone are the days of Jalen Ramsey and their terrifying “Sacksonville” defense that bounced Buffalo in the 2017 Wild Card round.
The Jaguars used the first overall pick in the 2021 draft to select quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Many people believe that the Clemson product will be a generational talent in the NFL.
Jacksonville has paired Lawrence with new head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer retired from coaching in 2019 following a fantastic collegiate coaching career. Meyer won three national championships and had successful tenures at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State.
The Jaguars managed to lure Meyer out of retirement, and hope that he can lead Jacksonville back to the playoffs. History is not on their side, however, as successful college coaches usually don’t fare well in the NFL (see Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban, Chip Kelly, etc.).
Lawrence’s offensive weapons are decent. D.J Chark and Marvin Jones are solid options and 2021 first round pick Travis Ettiene is an exciting player, but a lackluster offensive line spells trouble for a rookie quarterback.
The Jaguars’ defense was the second-worst unit in the NFL in 2020, and it does not look like they will get much better in 2021.
Jacksonville is a team that will suffer some serious growing pains in 2021. Buffalo has been excellent against rookie quarterbacks under Sean McDermott, and they should have no problem against another one.