NFL Week 2: Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Two rising AFC powers collide in a great Week 2 match up to set the tone for the NFL season

Bills vs. Jaguars Overview:

The injury to Tom Brady and the losses suffered by two AFC powerhouses in the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers have made the AFC open to a lot more parity than critics had given it credit for. Two teams poised to take the reins as AFC victors are the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills. The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off of a hard loss against rival Tennessee Titans while the Buffalo Bills finished destroying the NFC king Seattle Seahawks. This NFL Week 2 match up could be a breaking point for the rest of the AFC season.

Buffalo Bills Offense:

Though it was the Buffalo Bills special teams that led the charge to defeat the Seattle Seahawks, it was the offense that cashed in most of the opportunities. Young QB Trent Edwards looks to be developing nicely. Deadly WR Lee Evans burned the Seattle Seahawks for over 100 yards and a touchdown and has a great relationship with Trent Edwards. RB Marshawn Lynch looks to be a versatile weapon in both the passing and running game and bruises over defenders. The Buffalo Bills offensive line has looked crisp and aggressive and will only get better with the return of All-Pro LT Jason Peters.

Buffalo Bills Defense:

Huge DT Marcus Stroud anchors the otherwise speedy Buffalo Bills defense. Marcus Stroud has already proved to be a force in the middle and is an important factor in the success of LBs Kawika Mitchell and Paul Posluszny. DE Aaron Schobel may be the biggest benefactor of Marcus Stroud as he is often left with a single blocker. CB Terrance McGee is turning into a great defensive talent and goes well with rangey and dangerous S Donte Whitner. CB Ashton Youboty has also become a house of fire as of late and is a great tackler.

Jacksonville Jaguars Offense:

The Jacksonville Jaguars offense is built around RBs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Both hit the proverbial brick wall against Albert Haynesworth and the Tennessee Titans. With the run game taken away, franchise QB David Garrard was punished with seven sacks. WR Matt Jones seems to finally be out of his slump however and gave David Garrard a great target in the clutch. The Jacksonville Jaguars will also benefit from the return of WR Joey Porter from injury as he is the most dynamic player in the receiving corps. The loss of O-linemen Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams will be a big hit to the running game.

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense:

DT John Henderson anchors the Jacksonville Jaguars defense up front. It is clear that the trade of Marcus Stroud to the Buffalo Bills has had an adverse effect on the run defense at this point, but the Jacksonville Jaguars have the talent to recover. First-round pick DE Derrick Harvey is finally in the lineup and produced a clutch turnover against the Tennessee Titans. The Jacksonville Jaguars secondary is an aggressive and physical bunch that can shut down any passing game. S Reggie Nelson is the most feared of the Jacksonville Jaguars DBs.

Buffalo Bills Keys to Victory:

The best hope of the Buffalo Bills defense is to follow the plan laid by the Tennessee Titans. If Marcus Stroud can get a great push in the center of the line, then Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor should both be non factors. The loss of two starting guards means that the Buffalo Bills will be able to exploit the center of the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line even more. If the Buffalo Bills can bottle up the running backs, then getting pressure on David Garrard with players like Aaron Schobel should be much easier. The Buffalo Bills secondary must capitalize on all turnover opportunities.

RB Marshawn Lynch will be the key figure in the Buffalo Bills offense. John Henderson will be a problem, but the Buffalo Bills powerful line should be able to open holes elsewhere. A strong running game will relieve the pass rush on QB Trent Edwards and will in turn open up the passing game. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a physical and aggressive secondary that ranks among the best in the NFL, but even they cannot cover WRs like Lee Evans forever.

Jacksonville Keys to Victory:

Stopping Marshawn Lynch and the Buffalo Bills running game will be the top priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. DT John Henderson will meet the gargantuan guard Derrick Dockery in the running lane and the battle of the beef will be key to controlling the line of scrimmage. DE Derrick Harvey will hopefully step into the pass-rushing role he was drafted for and could have a big impact on the game if he is matched up right. CBs Drayton Florence and Rashean Mathis must maul speedy WRs Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish at the line to counter their explosive burst and give Reggie Nelson a chance to make plays on balls.

It may sound like more of the same but the Jacksonville Jaguars must get the running game going. Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor can run rampant on any defense but they need good blocking to do so. The Jacksonville Jaguars must scheme to compensate for the loss of their two starting guards and find a way to spring their pair of running backs. David Garrard must return to his 2007 form and protect the ball as the Jacksonville Jaguars cannot afford interceptions. Returning WRs Joey Porter and Troy Williamson have the ability to shred defenses, but they must hold on to the ball.

Jacksonville vs. Buffalo Outlook:

Injuries and offseason moves have already been the big stories in the NFL, and they will play a big factor in this AFC battle. The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2008 NFL season with expectations of possible Super Bowl contention. They certainly have the talent on their roster to do so, but injuries to the offensive line are a major setback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Buffalo Bills were picked to be the bottom of the AFC North but have built themselves up with offseason moves and are ready to capitalize on the injuries in their division.

The Buffalo Bills boast similar strengths and weaknesses and also the same football philosophies. The injuries to the interior of the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line could be the swing factor. The great special teams play of the Buffalo Bills was the difference maker in the Seattle Seahawks game and will look to do the same again. The game will see two rising AFC powers coming together, but the surprising Buffalo Bills will have a slight edge in this contest.