The playoff journey for the Buffalo Bills begins on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have surged into the postseason with an impressive eight-game winning streak. Scheduled for January 14, 2025, at 1 p.m. EST, this matchup will be broadcast on CBS. The Bills, who finished the regular season with a record of 12-5, enter as slight favorites, with BetMGM setting the odds at Bills by 1 point.
Both teams share a historical series record of 10 wins each, although Jacksonville has bested Buffalo in both previous postseason encounters. Their last meeting saw the Bills dominate with a 47-10 victory in Buffalo on September 23, 2024. Coming off strong performances, the Jaguars defeated the Tennessee Titans 41-7, while the Bills topped the New York Jets 35-8.
Offensive and Defensive Strengths
The Bills’ offense has shown remarkable prowess this season, ranking fourth overall, first in rushing, and averaging 28.6 points per game, a statistic that ties them for fourth in the league. Quarterback Josh Allen enters the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, holding a playoff record of 7-6. He has thrown for 33 touchdowns—25 passing, seven rushing, and one receiving—while maintaining a completion rate of 65.7% and averaging 258 yards per game.
In contrast, the Jaguars’ offense ranks 11th overall, with a scoring average of 24.1 points per game. Running back Travis Etienne, who could be playing his final game with Jacksonville as he approaches free agency, has scored a career-high 13 total touchdowns this season. However, he has not surpassed 100 rushing yards since late September. The Jaguars will lean on their defense, which has allowed an average of just 85.6 rushing yards per game, the best in franchise history.
Injury Update and Key Players
The Bills will be without defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who has been placed on injured reserve alongside teammate Ed Oliver, who is recovering from a torn bicep and knee injury. Rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston is also expected to miss the game due to an ankle injury. Kicker Matt Prater is listed as questionable after aggravating a quadriceps injury, while linebacker Terrel Bernard’s status remains uncertain due to a calf issue.
For Jacksonville, offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (back) and tackle Cole Van Lanen (knee) are anticipated to return after missing recent games. Mekari has been sidelined for two weeks, while Van Lanen was injured during the Titans game but participated in practice this week.
Buffalo has faced challenges in playoff scenarios, notably losing their last eight postseason road games, a streak that dates back to their last win in the 1992 AFC Championship against Miami. Under head coach Sean McDermott, the team has recorded a 7-7 playoff record, with five losses occurring on the road.
As the Bills aim to break their playoff road jinx, they will rely on the league-leading rushing performance from James Cook, who achieved a total of 1,621 rushing yards this season. Notably, Cook is the first Bills player to earn the NFL rushing title since O.J. Simpson in 1976.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars are making significant strides, averaging 33.6 points over their winning streak, the franchise’s longest since 1999. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been a standout performer, joining an elite group of quarterbacks in NFL history with over 25 touchdown passes and nine rushing touchdowns in a single season. His recent success, including 24 total touchdowns during the win streak, adds to the excitement surrounding this matchup.
As both teams prepare for this critical playoff contest, fans can expect a high-energy game featuring two potent offenses and formidable defenses. The stakes are high, with a chance to advance further into the playoffs on the line.
