Bills vs. Jaguars: Previews and Predictions for NFL's 1st Live Streaming Game
Wembley Stadium awaits the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, and there's no doubt that both squads will come into this battle in London with extra energy and anticipation.
The Bills are 3-3, and the Jaguars are 1-5, and it's fair to say that neither team's season is going quite according to plan. However, a win overseas in an internationally streamed game can be the boost both teams are looking for.
Yahoo.com will be the first to globally stream an NFL game live, and that has raised the stakes of this matchup considerably. Playing in London's marquee stadium is a huge deal, but when you consider the fact that anyone in the world with Internet access and a device can watch this game, it takes on new meaning.
Head coach Rex Ryan and the Bills will look to take advantage of the occasion and improve to 4-3 before Week 8's bye week. Meanwhile, the Jaguars and head coach Gus Bradley will try to knock off a solid Bills team and see if a win can kick-start a struggling season.
There are plenty of storylines heading into Sunday, and this game holds an importance for both teams as well as the entire NFL. American football is in the process of becoming a global game, and that continues this Sunday.
Location: Wembley Stadium, London
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
TV: Yahoo (online)
Notes and Quotes
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Jeff Darlington Writes Report on Jaguars' Process
On Wednesday, NFL.com's Jeff Darlington published an in-depth look at the Jaguars' current situation and what they should do regarding their 1-5 season and coaching situation.
Darlington argues that the Jaguars are still on track for progress, that Bradley's 8-30 record as head coach will turn around in the near future and that the organization is willing to wait longer for results:
"The truth is, the Jaguars should not be defined by their record at this point -- and outside any lack of progress by the season's end, nobody should be calling for anybody's jobs. (By the way, according to multiple high-level sources in the Jags building, patience does indeed remain intact despite frustrations with the defense's progress.)
"
It has been a frustrating season for the Jaguars, but if Darlington's sources are correct, the franchise is willing to stick with Bradley for the time being and would rather see what results he could bring in the long term.
Bills QB EJ Manuel Not Fazed by Playing Against Former Coach Doug Marrone
EJ Manuel will look to improve upon his 6-9 record as a starter and get his first win as a starter since the departure of former Bills head coach and current Jaguars offensive line coach Doug Marrone.
While facing a former coach can be difficult for some players, Manuel isn't too worried about seeing his former coach, according to Syracuse.com's Matthew Fairburn.
"Yeah, obviously I know coach Marrone and coach Hackett are both on their staff," Manuel said. "I'm not necessarily playing against them, though. I'm playing against their defense. That's my main focus is preparing for Jacksonville's defense. The other stuff is kind of an afterthought."
Manuel has to be focused for this Sunday's battle, and he certainly appears to be based on this quote. Marrone benched Manuel last year, but the third-year quarterback has apparently moved on.
Jaguars and NFL Extend Agreement to Play Regular-Season Games at Wembley Stadium
The NFL reached an agreement with Wembley Stadium for an extension on the current deal to play two games in the London stadium every year, according to Jaguars.com. The deal, which initially ran through the 2016 season, will now extend through the 2020 season.
The Jaguars are included in the extension and will play a home game at Wembley every season until at least 2021. However, there will be opportunities for the Jaguars to possibly play a second game per year in London but as a visiting team rather than a home team.
The Jaguars have become a staple in London thanks to owner Shad Khan, and that looks set to continue for another half-decade at least.
Bills WR Percy Harvin's Injury Issues Leave Him Stateside
It's no secret that Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin has dealt with nagging injuries for the majority of his career, but it now may mean a drastic future change. Plenty of speculation, as reported by ESPN, has surrounded the player, but there doesn't seem to be a certain path laid out for Harvin's future.
Ryan spoke about Harvin: "I'm not going to say anything more than what we said yesterday about it. I don't know where he is right now." While that may not be the best-sounding quote, it doesn't seem to be a major issue.
Harvin didn't travel to London with the Bills, and what he does with his weekend off is up to him. Obviously, the Bills will monitor him somewhat, but it sounds more like Ryan was trying to get Harvin's situation off his plate.
Preliminary Injury Report
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We'll start with the Jaguars' injury report first:
| Player | Position | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Clemons | DE | Rest |
| Johnathan Cyprien | S | Calf |
| Clay Harbor | TE | Abdomen |
| Julius Thomas | TE | Chest/Hand |
| Allen Hurns | WR | Ankle/High |
| T.J. Yeldon | RB | Groin |
| Jermey Parnell | OT | Knee |
| Sen'Derrick Marks | DT | Knee |
| James Sample | S | Shoulder |
| Marqise Lee | WR | Hamstring |
| Allen Robinson | WR | Lower Leg |
There are multiple notable names on this list and on both sides of the ball, but the most important one is probably rookie running back T.J. Yeldon. He hasn't had an explosive season, but his absence against the Houston Texans last week clearly hurt the Jaguars' offense and balance.
Yeldon practiced in limited fashion Thursday, as did Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson and Sen'Derrick Marks.
Defensive end Chris Clemons, safety Johnathan Cyprien and tight end Julius Thomas all practiced in full Thursday, while tight end Clay Harbor, offensive tackle Jermey Parnell, wide receiver Marqise Lee and safety James Sample did not practice.
Now we move to the visiting side, the Bills:
| Player | Position | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Tyrod Taylor | QB | Knee |
| Karlos Williams | RB | Concussion |
| Kyle Williams | DT | Knee |
| Seantrel Henderson | T | Knee |
| Corey Graham | S | Not Injury Related |
| Percy Harvin | WR | Not Injury Related |
| Marcus Easley | WR | Shoulder |
The Bills official injury report did not list wide receiver Sammy Watkins, but as reported by ESPN.com, he is also going to be absent from Sunday's game. The Bills lose a lot of explosiveness without Watkins, but it helps that the Jaguars have been relatively leaky in pass defense, allowing 264.5 yards per game this year.
The only player listed who practiced was wide receiver Marcus Easley, but even he practiced in a limited fashion. The Bills are losing a lot of their key players on offense heading into this Sunday, and overcoming that will be a major test for the team.
All injury information courtesy of Jaguars.com.
Matchups to Watch
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Jaguars WR Group vs. Bills Secondary
Sophomore wideouts Hurns and Robinson have been making a lot of waves in the 2015 season, combining for 948 yards and nine touchdowns in total. They'll be facing the likes of cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Stephon Gilmore as well as the rest of the Buffalo secondary, and that should result in a close battle.
While the Bills are allowing 268.8 yards per game through the air, Darby and Gilmore have already registered two picks apiece, and the Bills defense has forced seven interceptions through the first six games.
Hurns and Robinson have opportunities for productive games, but they may have to play a bit more conservatively considering the Bills' ability to intercept the ball and Blake Bortles' tendency to get erratic with his throws.
Bills Offensive Line vs. Jaguars Defensive Front
There could be a lot of offense on the ground on Sunday for both squads, but it's probably more essential to the Bills' game plan than the Jaguars. It's vital to stay balanced, but when the Bills have a back like LeSean McCoy, the importance tends to grow.
McCoy has been inconsistent this season, but the only way for him to get more guaranteed success is with a positive effort from the offensive line. The Jaguars have only allowed 101.7 yards per game on the ground, and pushing through that defensive front will be crucial to rushing success for the Bills.
EJ Manuel vs. Jaguars Secondary
The Bills will be without starting wide receivers Watkins and Harvin, and that makes the job for backup quarterback Manuel all the more difficult. He will have to be accurate to connect with Robert Woods, Charles Clay and the rest of his receiving options.
The Bills luckily have depth with their receivers, and the likes of Marcus Easley and Chris Hogan will suffice but won't make up for what Watkins and Harvin can bring.
It will be on the Bills wide receiver group to step up, but Manuel will have to deliver with accuracy and composure. The Jaguars aren't a great defensive team but will be quick to take advantage of bad offensive mistakes.
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X-Factors
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Jaguars X-Factor: Dwayne Gratz
Jaguars cornerback Dwayne Gratz was listed as a starting corner for Sunday's matchup, his first start since the 2014 season. As reported by the Florida Times-Union's Vito Stellino, Gratz will replace Davon House, who has recorded 10 passes defended in the first six games.
This is a puzzling move, especially when you consider that House is on pace to break the franchise record for passes defended and that he is third in the NFL in deflections. The move won't likely take House off the field that much, but it is still a big move.
Gratz has improved, but he still makes awful errors, and the Jaguars can't afford for him to get torched by Woods and the Bills receivers. It may not end up being a huge deal in the scheme of the game, but this is a big moment for Gratz.
Bills X-Factor: Robert Woods
Woods will be an important starter for the Bills on Sunday thanks to Harvin's and Watkins' injuries, and how he responds to his newfound role could be the springboard his career needs. He's done fine for the Bills, but this is a chance for a huge game.
Depending on whether he faces Gratz, House or Aaron Colvin for the majority of the game will play a large part in how difficult his day will be, but Woods is good enough to beat any of those corners and serve as the primary target Manuel needs.
It's not often a young receiver gets an opportunity like this, but Woods has gotten a prime chance this Sunday. If he wants to push for a long-term starter role in Buffalo, this game would be a crucial first step to that.
Prediction
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The Jaguars have not shown they can win against quality opponents this season, and that has led to their 1-5 record. However, the Bills' key injuries may open up a window for the Jaguars to escape their losing streak.
The Bills offense and Manuel will struggle, but McCoy's rushes will eventually open up the Jaguars defense in the second half, possibly sooner depending on how well McCoy plays. The Jaguars defense will contain Manuel and McCoy initially, but cracks will appear with time.
The Jaguars offense will score some early points, but if Bortles and the passing game can't consistently score throughout the game, it seems unlikely they'll catch up to the Bills if the defense does not hold strong.
It should be a close game, and it could easily be a wild or tame affair. At the end of the day, however, the score ought to be relatively close, with the Bills pulling out a victory in London.
Prediction: Bills 24, Jaguars 21
All stats provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.
Evan Reier is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow Evan on Twitter @evanreier.
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