After a convincing Week 2 dominating performance against the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills find themselves back on primetime in front of their home crowd in Week 3. Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming up to Orchard Park and they are looking for their first win of the season after losing a heartbreaker to the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.
The Jaguars have defeated the Bills in their last two matchups, once in Jacksonville and the other in London. Now they will have to take down the Bills in Buffalo. This game feels like a trap for the Bills. They are coming off a massive divisional victory and have more than enough time to get ready. Buffalo needs to come prepared and play hard from start to finish.
Leading up to this matchup, we had the chance to catch up with Carlos Sanchez, Site Expert for Black & Teal, to get some insight on the Jaguars heading into this matchup. Sanchez was able to provide some insight that Bills fans should keep an eye on throughout this game between the Bills and Jaguars.
Bills vs. Jaguars Week 3 insights
1.) The Jaguars have had the Bills' number the last two meetings. What strengths will the Jaguars need to utilize to go into Buffalo and leave with a win?
The Jaguars have a keeper in Brian Thomas Jr. In two games, the former LSU Tiger has logged six catches for 144 yards with one touchdown. Moreover, he drew an 80-yard pass interference call in the opener. The Jaguars must lean on his deep-threat capabilities more often.
It will also help if the Jaguars have done a decent job of protecting Trevor Lawrence. While the case can be made that he must raise his game, the fact that he's been pressured at a high rate doesn't help matters.
On the other hand, the Jaguars defense has flashed but hasn't been nearly as consistent as they should. Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, they struggled to routinely bring the heat. If they don't fix that, they'll be in for a long day against the Buffalo Bills.
2.) Gabe Davis is set to make his return to Buffalo for the first time since leaving in free agency this past offseason. Will he play a bigger role for the Jacksonville offense in Week 3?
The Jaguars handed Gabe Davis a three-year deal worth $39 million in free agency. So far, he's been fine, hauling in seven receptions for 105 yards. Then again, the same issues that plague them in Buffalo remain with him. In Week 2, he was targeted seven times but only reeled in three receptions.
On the other hand, Davis could have a big day in his homecoming game. The Bills will probably try to neutralize Brian Thomas Jr. and devote coverage to wide receiver Christian Kirk in the middle. That would in turn probably leave Davis with several enticing matchups.
3.) What are some of your concerns about Jacksonville heading into this Week 3 primetime matchup?
The Jaguars are an inconsistent bunch in 2024. They have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball but they're ultimately what their record shows they are, a 0-2 team without identity. If they want to have a shot at beating the Buffalo Bills, they'll need to protect Trevor Lawrence, get the running game going and rattle Josh Allen. They must do all three if they want to come out on top.