By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12 as the team returns to action following their bye week.
The Bills (3-7) are turning things back over to rookie quarterback Josh Allen for the home stretch and his development over that time will be key. But there will be plenty more to watch during the contest as well.
With that, here are five Bills storylines to watch vs. the Jags:
Allen’s back
Starting with the one that’ll be featured in one of these stories every week for the rest of the year, Buffalo’s rookie quarterback in Allen is back. The Bills have decided to throw him right in the fire after he recovered from an elbow injury, despite the strong efforts of Matt Barkley prior to the bye week. At their current record, it appears the Bills are admitting what the rest of the season is about: Allen’s development and not a playoff run. But in the long run, that’s OK.
Prior to his awkward injury in Week 6 against the Houston Texans, Allen had his ups and downs. Things he did bad which he’ll look to improve on include getting rid of the ball quicker and just simply reading a defensive at a higher level. Allen impressed much more with his legs than his arm. Will he finally start turning in games where the opposite is true? It will be a tough test against the Jags’ defense.
Will speed be a factor again?
Over the past few weeks via the moves they’ve made on the waiver wire, the Bills are clearly looking for more speed on offense. The Bills haven’t had a burner all season long and it’s hurt their offensive efforts. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott admitted earlier this week that he made these two moves because of their speed, but we didn’t need him to say it to know it. Wide receivers Robert Foster and Deonte Thompson were added in recent weeks. Both can fly.
Foster put that on display prior to the bye week as he had a 100-yard receiving game. Thompson put it on display last season for the Bills as he’s entering his third term with the team. Prior to Foster last week, Thompson was the last player to have a 100-yard game for the Bills which came in 2017. Foster’s presence kept the Jets’ defense honest in Week 10. Will the Bills unleash enough deep balls with success to keep the Jags’ defense honest, too?
Can Shady build off pre-bye success?
The Bills didn’t only have Foster to hang their hat on against the Jets on offense. Because of Foster’s success with Barkley, the Jets had to respect the Bills’ pass-attack. That was good news for LeSean McCoy. He finally had a good game this season.
In total, McCoy had 26 carries for 113 yards. He also scored his first two touchdowns of the year. McCoy might’ve lost a step at this point, but he’s still a dynamic playmaker and still, when given opportunities, can make plays. Shady’s success depends on Allen’s ability in the pass game and how well his offensive line blocks in front of him, too. Pro Football Focus ranks Buffalo the NFL’s worst run-blocking team in the league.
Defensive showcase
Monday Night Football was a treat this week. Kansas City and the Los Angeles Rams exploded with a 100-point game. Do not expect that on Sunday during the Bills – Jags game. Both teams sport minimal passing attacks on offense while rostering strong defensive units. Expect something like last season when both met and played to a 10-3 final in the wild-card round.
Overall, Buffalo is the No. 2 rated defense (302.2 yards allowed per game) while Jacksonville clocks in at No. 4 (319.5). Specifically against the pass, Buffalo is rated No. 1 (202.4) while the Jags are No. 3 (210.2). Both teams have strong players all over their secondaries and the game could come down to which of them makes more game-changing turnovers. Who’s going to step up there?
Jags drama?
Off the field, the Jags enter this one with a little drama brewing. First, cornerback Jalen Ramsey has ripped Allen throughout the year through the media. He first did via social media with a tweet during spring OTAs, then again in an interview with GQ in August calling him trash. Ramsey stood by those comments earlier this week. Allen vs. Ramsey is an easy matchup to watch.
On the sidelines, could Doug Marrone lose his job with a loss? The Jags entered the season with Super Bowl hopes. Now they’ve lost six-straight games. Vegas has them as a three-point favorite in this one. If they lose, is Marrone shown the door? How the tables could turn after the way Marrone left Buffalo…