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Week 2: Bills vs. Jaguars
The Bills are coming off of one of the biggest wins in club history to start the season at 1-0. The Jaguars are coming off one of the toughest losses in their history. The Bills shutout the Patriots in an emotional matchup 31-0 while the Jags were blowing a 17-0 second half lead in Carolina and lost 24-23. It will be interesting to see if the Bills suffer a letdown from last week's blowout. The players are all saying the right things about concentrating on the next game and corrected the mistakes they had in the win. On the Jacksonville side, can they bounce back from such a devastating loss?
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (1-0) vs. Jacksonville (0-1) |
| Place: |
ALLTEL Stadium |
| Television: |
CBS |
| Announcers: |
Don Criqui and Steve Tasker |
| Spread: |
Bills by 3 |
| Series: |
Tied 2-2 (0-1 playoffs) |
| Last Meeting: |
Bills 13-10 in Jacksonville (2001) |
| Jaguars Off: |
Rush (23rd); Pass (6th); overall (12th) |
| Jaguars Def: |
Rush (23rd); Pass (5th); overall (6th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (13th); Pass (16th); overall (15th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (21st); Pass (7th); overall (5th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills remain healthy after the opening day win in New England produced no new injuries. Sam Aiken missed that game with a hamstring injury. Dave Moore did not start because of a hand injury but did play and is fine.
The Jaguars lost WR Micah Ross against Carolina with an ankle injury. They were already without LB T.J. Slaughter and DB James Trapp with ankle injuries. DE Brandon Green missed the game with a quadriceps injury.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
S Lawyer Milloy vs. QB Mark Brunell:
The emotions are past, and now Milloy will have to get by on his considerable talent. He will have a full week of practice under his belt and will be even more comfortable with the defense. He better be, because Brunell is red hot and how Milloy reads his moves will be a telltale sign on how much success Jacksonville has offensively.
RG Ruben Brown vs. DT Marcus Stroud:
Stroud is an emerging star who likes to rush the passer from his tackle spot. It will be up to the pro bowler Brown to stop him from harassing Drew Bledsoe into bad throws.
RT Mike Williams vs. DE Tony Brackens:
Brackens is a crafty veteran and Williams is still learning. Williams is coming off a great start to his sophomore season last week and will look for a repeat against the aging Brackens
WR Eric Moulds vs. CB Jason Craft:
The Bills will try to get a one on one coverage on Moulds. If that works, he will certainly beat Craft. Expect veteran Donovin Darius to give Craft plenty of help.
DT Sam Adams vs. RB Fred Taylor:
If Adams clogs up the middle then Taylor will have a hard time running against the speedy linebacking corps of the Bills.
CB Antoine Winfield vs. WR J.J. Stokes:
Stokes is Jacksonville's best target on passing downs and Winfield will likely matchup against him. If he can shut him down it will really hurt the Jaguars passing game.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills will try to use the ball control offense and run Travis Henry as much as possible to wear down the big defensive tackles of Jacksonville. Look for Bledsoe to pick his spots and go to the air when Jacksonville cheats for the run.
When The Jaguars Have The Ball: The Jaguars will probably try to attack the defense with the mobility and the hot throwing arm of Mark Brunell. He had a fantastic game last week and their best chance of putting points on the board may be in the passing game.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
The key to the game is avoiding a letdown. The players and coaches are saying the right things to make you think they won't letdown. I feel it's impossible for them not to come back to the pack at least a little. That combined with this being a road game will make it much tougher than last week. Still, the Bills have more talent and will prevail:
Bills 27, Jaguars 17
Season Prediction Record: (1-0)
Season Record Against The Spread: (1-0)
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