Jaguars vs. Bills: NFL analyst with keys to victory for Buffalo

How might the Buffalo Bills attack the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC playoff matchup?

ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently picked one offensive key to victory for the Bills and one defensive key.

For the Buffalo offense, Bowen wants the Bills to feature running back James Cooke.

This season, Cooke led the NFL in rushing while the Bills’ offense as a whole had one of the most efficient rushing attacks in football. Across from Buffalo, however, will be the Jaguars‘ stingy run defense, which surrendered just over 85 rushing yards per game this season.

“I went through all of the 10-plus-yard rushes that the Jaguars gave up on the tape,” Bowen wrote, “and opposing offenses did have some success on duo, inside zone and outside zone schemes. These plays put Cook in a position to take off vertically while also providing cutback avenues. And Cook has been productive this season on all three types.”

For the Bills’ defense, Bowen would like to see Buffalo take away the in-breaking routes from the Jaguars.

Attacking the middle of the field is a key element to the Liam Coen offense and the addition of Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline, who is very willing to do that dirty work, has been a key factor in unlocking the Jaguars’ passing game in the second half of the season.

The Bills, however, have two very good safeties in Jordan Poyer and Cole Bishop, helping to patrol the middle of the field.

“Buffalo has played two-high coverage on 52.9% of opponent dropbacks this season; it can use its safeties to cut on in-breakers and take the throwing lane away,” wrote Bowen. “And we could also see more two-man coverage here with the safeties driving top-down on the ball to reduce the window for Lawrence.”

From the Jaguars’ perspective, here are three keys to victory for Jacksonville in this game.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: How NFL analyst believes Bills should attack Jaguars in playoff game

Recent Posts

editors picks

Top Reviews