Week 11: Bills vs. Jaguars
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Sunday, Nov. 22nd
1:00pm ET
The Bills head to Florida for a matchup with the surging Jaguars who are now over .500 for the first time this year as they have won two straight and three of their last four. The Bills come to town after a roller coaster week that included the firing of Dick Jauron on Tuesday and a change in starting quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see how they react to the upheaval. Ryan Fitzpatrick gets his first career start by choice. His other starts have been because of injuries.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (3-6) vs. Jacksonville (5-4)
Place: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
Television: CBS
Announcers: Bill Macatee and Steve Beuerlein
Spread: Jaguars by 8½
Series: Bills lead 5-4 (Bills 0-1 in playoffs)
Streak: Bills Won 1
Last Meeting: Bills 20-16 in Jacksonville (2008)
Jaguars Offense: Rush (6th); Pass (16th); overall (10th)
Jaguars Defense: Rush (22nd); Pass (26th); overall (23rd)
Bills Offense: Rush (18th); Pass (29th); overall (29th)
Bills Defense: Rush (32nd); Pass (9th); overall (26th)


INJURY UPDATE

Demetrius Bell (knee) and Ashton Youboty (ankle) will miss the game after suffering injuries last week in Tennessee. Kyle Williams and Keith Ellison remain sidelined with knee and quad injuries respectively. Donte Whitner should see some action this week after being active last week but not playing as he recovers from a high ankle sprain. Terrence McGee had knee surgery during the bye week but hopes to be able to return this week. Jamon Meredith hopes to play, he missed last week's game with a sprained MCL. Derek Fine is the latest player to go on injured reserve he joins Kawika Mitchell, Marcus Buggs, Leodis McKelvin, Derek Schouman, and Brad Butler.

The Jaguars will be without their best cornerback as Rashean Mathis suffered a groin injury late in last week's win over Browns and has been ruled out. WR Jarett Dillard broke his ankle last week and is out for the rest of the season. FS Gerald Alexander missed last week's game with a shoulder injury and is questionable at best this week. LB Justin Durant has a head injury and is currently not practicing.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

LB Paul Posluszny vs. RB Maurice Jones-Drew:
For the Bills to win this game (or any other) they need to learn how to at least slow down an opponent's rushing attack. Jones-Drew is the next in a long line of backs who could tear through the Bills front seven. It is up to Poz to step up his game and keep him from getting the long gainers that we have seen so much of this year.

LT Andy Levitre vs. DE Derrick Harvey:
Levitre makes his first start at left tackle after not practicing there at all since signing with the Bills. He played there in the second half last week and did ok. Luckily Harvey is not one of the top pass rushers in the game so Levitre has a chance to succeed this week.

WRs Lee Evans and Terrell Owens vs. CBs Derek Cox and Brian Witherspoon:
This could be a big advantage for the Bills. The Jaguars low ranked pass defense is missing their best corner in Mathis. With Fitzpatrick at the controls he will likely take several shots deep and there should be ample opportunity for big plays to the Bills two big play threats.

CB Ellis Lankster vs. WR Mike Sims-Walker:
With all the injuries the Bills have at corner it is very likely that Lankster will matchup with Sims-Walker who leads the Jags in receptions and yards. This likely is a huge advantage for the Jags who could get some big shots down the field.

DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Eugene Monroe:
Schobel should be healthier another week removed from his groin injury. He goes up against a rookie so he could have a big day of harassing QB David Garrard.

RBs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson vs. LBs Justin Durant and Daryl Smith:
The Bills may try to work Jackson in more here but regardless who carries the ball they need more production. Durant and Smith lead the Jags in tackles but Durant may not play which would help the Bills ground game. How the Jaguars front seven handles the wildcat will be interesting to watch as well.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: Interim head coach Perry Fewell said that the identity of the offense won't change despite their poor play this year. Look for them to try and mix in the run and the pass but also we may see more of the wildcat formation after the success they had last week.

When The Jaguars Have The Ball: Everyone has the same game plan against the Bills and it always works. So look for the Jaguars to run the ball early and often with Jones-Drew. They can then use play action to setup some deep throws downfield.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

Look for the Bills to play hard for their new coach as they want to show everyone that they can get through the turmoil of the week. The firing of the coach will likely take its toll late in the game, so look for the Bills to lose another one late but they will hang close:
Jaguars 21, Bills 16

Season Prediction Record: (4-5)
Season Record Against The Spread: (4-5)

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