The Jaguars have an opportunity against the 3-6 Buffalo Bills on Sunday to solidify their postseason candidacy with a win that would improve the Jaguars’ record to 6-4 and move the team into a tie for at least one wild-card playoff berth.
“We know we’re still afloat. Not that we’re a contender or anything, but we’re at a point where we can hope that if we continue to play well, we’ve got a good shot. That’s what you play the game for, to win ballgames, make it to the playoffs and give yourself a chance to make it to the big game. As long as you can have that opportunity and aspire to do that, then we really believe we can do some great things around here,” quarterback David Garrard said.
Sunday’s game is one of mystery and intrigue. How will the Bills react to the mid-week firing of head coach Dick Jauron? Who will replace cornerback Rashean Mathis in the Jaguars’ starting lineup? Are the Bills’ really as bad as their rankings or are the rankings a trap?
“We’re professional people and that’s the nature of our business,” interim head coach Perry Fewell said when asked about the reaction to Jauron’s dismissal. Fewell was an assistant coach on Tom Coughlin’s Jaguars staff.
“There’s a job to be done and there’s a game to be played. You have to set your emotions aside and get to the business at hand, which is the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars,” Fewell said.
The business at hand for the Jaguars is to win the first of four home games over the next five weeks. It’s a stretch of schedule in which the Jaguars must establish themselves as a serious playoff contender, for that to happen at all. The final two weeks of the season will be spent on the road, beginning with a Dec. 27 game in New England.
Last Sunday’s win over the Jets catapulted the Jaguars into playoff contention. The hope this week is the Jaguars will build on the momentum that win provided.
“I think with that win, it should give us more confidence. Hopefully, we can take it and run with it,” Garrard said.
Run with it would seem to be perfect verbiage for Sunday’s game. The Jaguars are sixth in the league in rushing and Maurice Jones-Drew is currently one of the hottest backs in the league. He’ll be running against a Bills defense that is dead last in the league against the run.
“I think he’s doing a great job. I want to make sure we’re not pounding him too much because we’re going to need him for the long haul, but I know he wants the rock. As long as he continues to hold on, I’m sure we’ll continue to feed him,” Garrard said.
Quarterback Trent Edwards led the Bills to an upset win in Jacksonville early last season, but Edwards will be replaced at quarterback by Ryan Fitzpatrick for this game. Fitzpatrick led the Bengals to an upset win over the Jaguars last year.
“He’s a very bright guy, he’s got some mobility and made enough plays last year to beat us,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said.