Heading into Week 3 of the NFL season, audiences seem to be treated to a tantalizing clash between the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) and the undefeated Buffalo Bills (2-0) at the Highmark Stadium. The tension in the air is palpable and this match will be the focus of ESPN’s prime time slots this Monday at 7:30 PM ET. The Bills will try to stay hot with no losses so far, the Jaguars will be looking to turn the corner and get a win in their season. Monitor this game, because it will definitely appear in the best premium daily picks.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills 9/23/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Monday, September 23, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Highmark Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) vs. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Even though they have not commenced the season very well, the Jacksonville Jaguars still displayed some fighting spirit in their most recent match against the Cleveland Browns, though they obtained a loss of 18-13. The running game of the Jaguars, spelled by their best player, Travis Etienne Jr., has been one of the relative positives, with Etienne gaining 96 yards over 25 carries in two games. However, their receiving corps needs to step up as Brian Thomas Jr., who has started very well this season with 141 yards receiving still needs support from other receivers.
On the other hand, the Buffalo Bills have just picked up a solid 31-10 win against the Miami Dolphins as they were able to run over everyone on offense early on in the season. James Cook has proven to be excellent in the offensive backfield, registering 149 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in 2 games, which just means that they have a very effective running game. Khalil Shakir, the receiver, is no exception as well, having made 96 yards in catching passes and receiving key first downs, which might prove invaluable versus the Jaguars’ defense.
Trevor Lawrence QB vs. Josh Allen QB
Trevor Lawrence has done well on the field as he amassed 382 passing yards and an admirable passer rating 82.3. Lawrence has protected the ball relatively well by not throwing many interceptions. Unfortunately, the Clevelander was sacked on seven occasions, showing other weaknesses in Jacksonville’s offense, which Buffalo’s active defense could arguably expose.
Conversely, Josh Allen has been exceptionally good in performing the quarterback duties for the Bills. According to his statistics, Allen possesses a passer rating of 124.2, with 371 passing yards and three touchdowns. All his passes prove decisive, and makes the throws. His minimal number of sacks, only two, while being the quarterback indicates the excellent performance of a Buffalo offensive line helping him make plays.
Whichever of these two quarterbacks gets to head this time, one will see their form and the support from their teams. Lawrence must make the most of every available opportunity since the margin of error is so thin against the Buffalo defense. Allen should continue to be as effective as he substantially up to this point, and his ability and willingness to share the ball will most probably be a challenge to the Jaguars’ defense, primarily their secondary.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Buffalo Bills -3.5 (-120), Total Odds: 48.5
The odds are leaning towards the Bills with a -3.5 point spread, which isn’t surprising given their explosive start to the season and the Jaguars’ struggles. The total set at 48.5 reflects expectations of a relatively high-scoring game, likely driven by Buffalo’s offensive prowess.
Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Trends
Jacksonville’s recent form has been lackluster with a 2-6 record against the spread (ATS) in their last eight games and a troubling 1-7 in their straight-up (SU) record. However, their history against Buffalo, with a 4-2 ATS and SU record in the last six encounters, provides a glimmer of hope that they could cover the spread.
Buffalo Bills Betting Trends
The Bills have been strong performers both SU and ATS, with an 8-1 SU record in their last nine games and a tendency to go OVER the point total in five of their last seven games. Their dominance at home with a 5-1 SU record in their last six games at Highmark Stadium makes them a formidable opponent for any visiting team.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills 9/23/24 Betting Picks
Based on the outcome and the data presented, the Bills will most likely be in good shape, considering their strong offensive line and effective defense. Although the Jaguars are usually the underdogs, they have done reasonably well against the Bills historically, which indicates that this game could be closer than the odds suggest.
In this case, the savvy money would be used to anticipate a shootout. The over 48.5 is worth a shot, looking at both teams’ recent performances and trends towards more offence-driven games. As for the best NFL free picks, one might wager that the Bills will cover the line as they have managed to sweat out the first few weeks of the season.