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Top 5 storylines to follow for Bills vs. Jaguars | Monday Night Football

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The Bills are 2-0 to start the season while the Jaguars are still searching for their first win. The two will face off at Highmark Stadium on Monday night, which kicks off Buffalo's first home primetime game of the 2024 season.

To get you ready for Monday Night Football, here are five storylines to follow this week.

1. Leaning on the run game through two weeks

The Bills have favored the run game on offense through two weeks. Buffalo has run 103 plays to start the season – 42 have been pass attempts and 59 have been rushes. That means the Bills have run the ball on 57% of their plays to start the season.

Running back James Cook has been the leading rusher in Week 1 and 2 rushing for at least 70 yards in both games. Bills radio analyst and legend Eric Wood thinks the offensive line deserves a shoutout for how the offense has found success.

"I have been extremely impressed with the offensive line," Wood said on One Bills Live. "That's what has allowed them to run the football so effectively. Those five up front are run blocking very well…I think the run game stays. You have to keep utilizing it because it's going to be effective. That's going to open up everything else."

Wood isn't the only former player who has been impressed by Buffalo's run game to start the season. Former NFL QB and current ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky thinks their usage has opened up their game.

"I think number one, (it's) obviously allowed the offensive line to try to control the game," Orlovsky told One Bills Live. "And two, I think it frees them up in their pass protection too because when you do that it forces defensive linemen to play two-dimensional. You don't allow them to play one-dimensional, so advantage offense. Obviously, it's allowed Josh (Allen) to become more comfortable in pockets, so I just think the discipline by Joe (Brady) of not getting too cute has been a big deal."

The question going forward is, will the Bills continue to lean on the run in Week 3? And if so, will they have the same success against a team that's known for having a tough defensive line?

The Jaguars have three starters on the defensive line who were drafted in the first round in defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker and defensive tackle Arik Armstead.

"Jacksonville's a good defense," Orlovsky said. "This won't be a cake walk in my opinion for Buffalo offensively because they've got a good front, good backers and speed."

The Jaguars have allowed an average of just 3.8 yards per rush (7th lowest) and 19 points (tied for 8th lowest) per game to start the season. Even though they're tough defensively, Wood thinks the Bills still have to stick to being balanced.

"They have a couple really nice pass rushers on the outside, so you don't just want to get into a pass fest," Wood said. "We've seen how that may play out playing against them in the previous two games we've played against them. So, you're going to want to continue to stay balanced."

2. UB products & their great start to the Bills season

The Bills have three former University at Buffalo players on their 53-man roster this season in defensive back Cam Lewis, cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram and linebacker Joe Andreessen.

"It's not often that you're able to get some local guys," head coach Sean McDermott said. "We're fortunate that we have UB and Coach (Pete) Lembo with what he's doing over there."

Lewis and Ingram have played big roles to start the season due to injuries. Lewis has stepped in for nickel cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) who was injured in the first game and Ingram has rotated in when the defense plays in dime.

Ingram had a game-saving play against the Cardinals where he broke up a pass near the end zone on fourth down with just 32 seconds left to play. The CB followed it up with two interceptions against the Dolphins, one of which went for a pick six.

Lewis is currently tied for the third-most tackles on the team with 13 and has done a great job of stopping the pass and the run.

All three UB players on the roster were signed as undrafted free agents. McDermott says finding talent like that starts with the local pro day and then a tryout.

"The way that it's really come into fruition, quite honestly, I think is our rookie tryout day," McDermott said. "Our local pro day, I should say, it starts with that. With the proximity to an NFL facility, we're able to get those players over here and take a look at guys that may not normally get a look."

McDermott says the group has done a great job of focusing on the process which has allowed for success when their number is called.

"(They) never make it about himself or themselves, and (they're) just focused on improving every day and willing to work," McDermott shared. "They want to put in the time. So, it's refreshing. It's great to see. And I'm extremely happy for those guys."

Cam Lewis (39) and Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills, Regular Season, September 12, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Cam Lewis (39) and Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills, Regular Season, September 12, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium.

3. Buffalo trying to extend its home win streak vs. Jacksonville

The last two contests against the Jaguars haven't gone Buffalo's way. The last win against Jacksonville happened during Josh Allen's rookie season when the Bills beat them 24-21 in Week 12.

Buffalo faced Jacksonville in London last season but unfortunately lost by five points. The Bills had a tough time moving the ball on the ground as they were held to just 29 rushing yards.

The two also played each other in Week 9 of the 2021 season in Jacksonville and the Bills lost by three points. The game was tied till the fourth quarter, but Buffalo couldn't find a way to score again before time expired. The Bills were held to just 79 rushing yards in that game.

Buffalo has had success against Jacksonville at home in the recent past. The Bills have won the last three games against the Jaguars at Highmark Stadium dating back to 2012.

Since Jacksonville has started the season 0-2, Bills radio analyst and legend Eric Wood says the Bills need to be ready for a team who might pull out all the stops in search of their first win.

"Jacksonville's coming in at 0-2, they're going to be desperate for a win," Wood said on One Bills Live. "This is a team that came into the season with high expectations…so they're going to come in here and they're going to be fighting like crazy. It's a primetime game. I expect it to be a good matchup."

4. Familiar faces coming back to Buffalo

Several familiar faces will be back at Highmark Stadium on Monday. Former Bills players in wide receiver Gabe Davis and center Mitch Morse will play in Buffalo for their first time since being signed by the Jaguars this offseason.

Davis was drafted by the Bills in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and played four seasons in Buffalo. The WR had at least six touchdowns in every season. His most notable performance with the Bills came during the 2021 postseason. Davis set an NFL postseason record with four receiving touchdowns against the Chiefs in the divisional round game.

The WR became a free agent in March and wanted to play closer to home.

"As soon as I got word that Jacksonville was trying to work a deal, I told my agent let's get that done," Davis told the Jaguars. "I wanted to be back in Florida. I wanted to be back home. And, it's been a blessing ever since. So happy I was able to come here and be a part of this team."

Morse became quarterback Josh Allen's center in Allen's second season as a pro. He spent five seasons as Allen's center and started in all 77 games he played in Buffalo.

The Bills will also welcome former special teams coordinator Heath Farwell and former wide receivers coach Chad Hall. Farwell spent 2019-2021 with the Bills before joining the Jaguars. Hall coached in Buffalo from 2017-2022 before joining Jacksonville in 2023.

5. Going for 5th straight win at home

The Bills have a nice win streak going at home. Buffalo has won the last four games at Highmark Stadium with a chance to make it five straight on Monday night.

This streak dates back to Week 11 of last season when the Bills beat the Jets 32-6. Buffalo has averaged 31 points per game and allowed an average of just 16.3 points per game in their last four games at home.

The Bills also own the NFL's longest active win streak - seven consecutive games dating back to the 2023 season.

Monday also marks the first of two home primetime games for Buffalo. Their second will come in Week 13 when Buffalo hosts San Francisco on Sunday night.

Scroll to see photos from the Buffalo Bills Huddle for Hunger High School Challenge and Fan Food Drive.

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