PLAYER NOTES
–QB Josh Allen has missed the last four games with an elbow injury, but he is expected to get the start against the Jaguars.
–QB Derek Anderson remains in concussion protocol and has not practiced since getting hurt on Oct. 29 in the Monday night game against the Patriots.
–RB Chris Ivory is bothered by a shoulder injury, but he should be able to play against the Jaguars, where he played the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
–TE Charles Clay remains sidelined by a hamstring injury and he may not be able to play for a second straight game.
–DE Trent Murphy is still bothered by a knee injury, but there’s a chance that he may be able to get back on the field for Jacksonville.
–LB Matt Milano cleared concussion protocol Wednesday and was back at practice.
–DE Shaq Lawson suffered an elbow injury Tuesday in practice and did not work on Wednesday.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: QB Josh Allen. All eyes will be on the first-round rookie as he makes his return to the starting lineup after missing the last four games with an elbow injury. Allen was close to returning prior to Buffalo’s bye week, but he admitted he wasn’t quite ready, and with the extra two weeks of rest, he’s ready to roll. He returns in time to face one of the best defenses in the league, particularly a secondary that ranks third in the NFL in pass defense. Allen was struggling with many things during the five-plus games he played before his injury in Houston, and it will be interesting to see if the time away has helped sharpen him mentally.
GAME PLAN: It’s pretty simple for the Bills: Take as much pressure off Allen as possible as the rookie steps in for his sixth start, but first since Oct. 14 when he suffered an elbow injury in Houston. This is the most complete defense Allen will be seeing as the Jaguars rank fourth in total yards allowed per game, third against the pass, and ninth in points yielded. However, they rank 22nd in rush defense and with running back LeSean McCoy coming off his best game, there may be opportunities to get him going.
For the Jaguars, it’s clear head coach Doug Marrone doesn’t trust quarterback Blake Bortles and that was plainly evident in the fourth quarter last week. Against a Buffalo defense that has been stout most of the season and now ranks second in yards allowed, the Jaguars will lean on their three-headed running attack led by Leonard Fournette, T.J. Yeldon and Carlos Hyde. Until the Bills prove they can stop it, Jacksonville will pound away in an attempt to wear down the Bills and chew clock on the road in what should be a tight, low-scoring game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Bills QB Josh Allen vs. Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey criticized several NFL QBs over the summer in a GQ interview, and among those was Allen, who he said was “trash” even though he’d never actually played against him. Allen said he couldn’t care less what Ramsey said, and he acknowledges that Ramsey is one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Regardless, Ramsey all but challenged Allen, and the rookie would certainly love to complete a few against the mouthy defender.
–Bills OL vs. Jaguars DL. Jacksonville has an overwhelming advantage up front with a line that includes ends Yannick Ngakoue and Calais Campbell, and tackles Malik Jackson and ex-Bill Marcell Dareus. Campbell is of particular concern as he is one of the highest-graded defenders this season by Pro Football Focus including No. 1 among edge rushers against the run. The Bills simply do not match up well, and rookie LG Wyatt Teller has quite a task against Dareus and Jackson inside. If the Jaguars shut down the run game, it could be a long day for Allen.
