| Serving Bills Fans Since 1998 | Home |
| BILLS DAILY GAMEDAY PREVIEW | GAMEDAY HOMEPAGE |
The Bills are still in search of their first victory and will try to get it on the road in front of a national television prime time audience on Thursday night. Rob Johnson makes his first trip back to Jacksonville to take on his former team the Jaguars despite pinching a nerve in his neck in the last game against the Jets. Both team are coming into this game fresh off of their bye week.
Facts and Figures
| Matchup: | Buffalo (0-4) at Jacksonville (2-2) |
| Date: | Thursday October 18, 2001 |
| Place: | ALLTel Stadium |
| Time: | 8:30pm |
| Television: | ESPN |
| Announcers: | Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire and Joe Theismann |
| Spread: | No Line Yet |
| Series: | Jaguars Lead 2-1 (1-0 Playoffs) |
| Last Meeting: | Bills 17-16 in 1998 |
| Jags Offense: | Rush (22nd); Pass (18th); overall (22nd) |
| Jags Defense: | Rush (21st); Pass (12th); overall (17th) |
| Bills Offense: | Rush (9th); Pass (16th); overall (15th) |
| Bills Defense: | Rush (27th); Pass (23rd); overall (27th) |
Injury Update
The Bills are using the bye week to get healthy. They may get one or both of their two defensive linemen back. Phil Hansen and Leif Larsen have similar elbow injuries and missed the Jets game. With a week off there is hope they will return for the Jaguars game. Jeremy McDaniel and Tony Driver have more serious injuries and probably won't be back. McDaniel has a high ankle sprain and Driver has a separated shoulder. Rob Johnson left the Jets game with a pinched nerve in his neck. He was feeling much better this past week and should return for his "homecoming". He is also bothered by a sore hip.
The Jaguars are missing two important cogs of their offense. Fred Taylor remains out with a groin injury and it is unlikely he will return this week. They lost their main body upfront as all-pro Tony Boselli has had season ending surgery on his injured right shoulder. They also have been without starting defensive end Tony Brackens who is one of their better defenders.
We will be updating this injury section as we get closer to gameday. For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report when released go to our Injury Page.
Key Matchups
DE Erik Flowers vs. LT Todd Fordham: It is put up or shut up time for the former first round pick, Flowers. Fordham replaces Boselli after signing a free agent contract just a few weeks ago. If Flowers can't beat this journey man, who doesn't know the system yet, he should hang up his cleats.
DB Ken Irvin vs. WR Jimmy Smith: Irvin has had a decent season so far but will face perhaps his toughest test of the year. Smith is their biggest offensive weapon with Taylor out. If Irvin can keep Smith from having a field day, the Bills defense could have a good day.
OT John Fina vs. DE Paul Spicer: Spicer will likely be filling in for the injured Brackens. Fina played much better last week against the Jets and should have an advantage over the second year Spicer.
WR Eric Moulds vs. DB Aaron Beasley: Beasley will probably draw Moulds most of the day. The Bills found a way to get Moulds involved in the offense last week and they will try to build on that this week.
TE Jay Riemersma vs. LB Kevin Hardy: Hardy is the Jaguars best defensive player and will probably blitz on many occasions forcing Riemersma to stay in a block. If the big tight end is forced to block that will be one fewer weapon for the Johnson.
Game Plan
When The Bills Have The Ball: The offense will try to build on what they did against the Jets. Look for the Bills to again try to get the vertical passing game going to open up the running attack of Travis Henry. Look for a little more of the no huddle offense as it seemed to help them move the ball against the Jets.
When The Jaguars Have The Ball: Without Taylor and Boselli the offense will be on the shoulders of QB Mark Brunell. He will look to Smith as his main weapon all day long. When he isn't open, Keenan McCardell is no slouch on the other side. The Jaguars will try to win this game in the air.
Bills Daily Prediction
The Bills will work hard to try and get their first win but it will be difficult to do in a place that is tough to win at. The get the Jaguars hurting offensively but they still have more talent than the Bills: Jaguars 24, Bills 17
Season Prediction Record: (2-2)
Season Record Against The Spread: (1-3)
Complete Statistical Matchup - Available Tuesday October 9th!Game Analysis and Review - Coming Friday Morning October 19th!Positional Breakdown and Grades - Coming Friday Morning October 19th!
2001 Gameday Homepage
2000 Gameday Homepage
Back to Bills Daily homepage
Articles Index