Bills vs. Jaguars: Updated Odds, TV Info and Prediction for Wild-Card Game

Few would have predicted before the 2017 season that the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars would square off in a playoff game. Both teams surpassed expectations to earn their first taste of playoff football in many years.

The Bills (9-7) are in the postseason for the first time since 1999, courtesy of a late touchdown in Week 17 for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Baltimore Ravens. The Jaguars (10-6) are back in the postseason for the first time since 2007, having won the AFC South just one year after a 3-13 season. 

Both teams made it this far courtesy of strong ground games and tough, playmaking defenses. The contest could very well turn on a handful of key plays and the health of a key Bills player.

When: Sunday, January 7, at 1:05 p.m. ET

Where: EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida

TV: CBS

Live Stream: CBS All Access (subscription required)

Odds: Jacksonville (-9)

Odds are courtesy of OddsShark.com and updated as of Saturday, Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. ET.

The Bills' ability to win this game will likely depend on the health of star running back LeSean McCoy, who suffered a sprained ankle in the team's must-win game over the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.

According to SI.com's Dan Gartland, McCoy was limited in practice on Friday, and earlier in the week ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he would be a game-time decision.

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

McCoy is the engine of Buffalo's offense, which could crumble in the face of the Jaguars' aggressive defense if he's not on the field. McCoy led the Bills with 1,138 rushing yards, eight total touchdowns and even tallied the most receptions, with 59 on the year.

His rushing ability will be key, as Jacksonville's defense gave up 4.3 yards per carry (26th in the league) and 116.3 yards per game (21st), per ESPN.com.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be under considerable pressure to pad his rushing total, with or without McCoy darting through the Jacksonville defense.

Taylor was hardly prolific this season, throwing for just 2,799 yards and 14 touchdowns, but he did manage to limit the mistakes, with just four interceptions and four fumbles despite taking off and running frequently. His mobility will be crucial against a Jaguars pass rush that racked up 55 sacks, second-most in the NFL.

Taylor will have to keep one eye downfield and another scanning for the likes of veteran Calais Campbell (14.5 sacks), who can play anywhere on the defensive line, and second-year defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (12 sacks). Buffalo will also be hard-pressed to finish drives, as the Jaguars were second in the NFL with 33 takeaways. 

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

The Bills' own ability to force mistakes will be key to their chances in this one. They nabbed 25 takeaways of their own this season, including 18 interceptions.

Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (21 touchdowns, 13 interceptions) threw five picks combined in the last two games of the year. Though he had his bright spots this season, CBSSports.com's Ryan Wilson noted he was hardly spectacular:

"But here's the thing: For all the progress Bortles has made this season, he remains a replacement-level quarterback. This isn't a slight, it's the truth; he ranks 16th in value per play, according to Football Outsiders, which is just ahead of Kirk Cousins and Dak Prescott. For much of the season, replacement level was sufficient; the Jaguars relied on the league's best defense and a solid running game and all Bortles had to do was stay out of the way. 

"Put another way: If Jacksonville falls behind, can Blake Bortles lead a comeback?"

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Expect Jacksonville to try to control the pace of the game with running back Leonard Fournette, who ran for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns this year in just 13 games. Fournette will also be spelled by Chris Ivory, who ran for 382 yards this season and is capable of grinding out tough gains.

Buffalo's own defense was mediocre against the run, so they will be hoping to bottle these two up and force Bortles into mistakes if they are to win this one. 

While the Bills have a winning formula well within their capabilities—run the ball, avoid mistakes and force turnovers—they will find it tough to put it together on the road, especially with McCoy presumably less than 100 percent.

Jacksonville's sack-happy defense will make life miserable for Taylor, while Fournette and Bortles will do just enough to keep the Jaguars ahead of the Bills' pace and secure a win.

Prediction: Jacksonville 24-17 Buffalo