JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

GP from Savannah, GA

John, one of the biggest challenges our defense has faced are quarterbacks that run effectively out of the pocket on broken plays. I see that as a huge challenge facing Allen this Sunday. That may be the key in this game to control Allen from breaking loose for a score.

This is a major storyline as the AFC South Champion Jaguars (13-4) prepare to play the Buffalo Bills (12-5) in an AFC Wild Card Playoff game at EverBank Stadium Sunday, but it's hardly a storyline restricted to this game. One of the biggest challenges every NFL defense faces in this era is quarterbacks running out of the pocket on broken plays. Mayne quarterbacks are good at this. Few quarterbacks, if any, ever have been as good at this as Bills quarterback Josh Allen. I expect Allen will "break loose" for key plays at times Sunday, and it's quite possible he scores a touchdown on such a play. He probably will create some key first downs this way. It's what he does. It's up the Jaguars to minimize this and play well enough to win despite it happening on occasion.

Chris from Vienna

Seriously. Cam Little, the record holder for the longest field goal, isn't the MVP kicker. What's going on here?

I'm not sure what "MVP kicker means." I know Jaguars kicker Cam Little holds the record for longest field goal in NFL history and for second-longest field goal in NFL history. I know both of those kicks came this season. I know he made 30 of 34 field goals and 50 of 51 extra points this season. I also know the Jaguars want him as their kicker. He didn't make the Pro Bowl. Broken system.

James from Titusville, NJ

I don't get all the angst over the level of pass rush. From what I've watched, the Jaguars' pass rush has forced errant throws that have become turnovers. Last I checked, turnovers are better than sacks. Are my little lights twinkling?

Damn right.

Chris from Mandarin

Respectfully, John. I disagree that there are no bad NFL postseason start times. The Monday Night Wild Card game is pretty clearly disadvantageous to the winner given that they have a shorter rest and preparation time than their opponent. Consider for a moment that the only team ever to make the Super Bowl after playing a Monday Night Football Wild Card game was the 1992 Buffalo Bills. Thirty-four years since the last team playing at that time slot is probably enough data to tell us that it's not the greatest draw for a team.

The NFL began playing Monday Night Wild Card Playoff games in 2020, though I agree with you that the Monday Night Wild Card game indeed is unnecessary – and unfair. I was surprised when they implemented this game – in part because the league following the 2002 season eliminated Monday Night games in the regular-season finale for much the same reason.

Sean from Oakleaf, FL

How much interaction will you have with the CBS lead broadcast team (Jim Nantz/Tony Romo/Traci Wolfson) leading up to the game?

None, presuming they see me first.

Bill from Gulf Shores, AL

I know it's not always coaching in the NFL, but look what the first-time head coach and his first-time defensive coordinator did with pretty much the same core players from last year.

Coaching matters a great deal in the NFL because of course it does. Players believing in a coach, and what the coach is saying and doing, matters about as much as anything when it comes to a franchise's direction and chances for success. Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile have connected with players to a remarkable degree. Good on them and good for this team.

James from Salt Lake City via Jagsonville

Mr. O. We also need to root for San Diego to win. Then we get another home game when we beat Buffalo!

San Diego will not win an NFL postseason game this weekend.

Joel from Mandarin

Mr. O. Why is Josh Allen considered so much better than Trevor Lawrence this season (not considering previous years, but only this season) especially when their stats are basically the same? Josh Allen had 39 Total touchdowns 25 passing, 14 rushing). Lawrence had 38 Total touchdowns (29 passing, nine rushing). Lawrence even passed for more yards and led the team to a better win/loss record. Allen beat three current playoff teams to have the No. 6 Seed. Lawrence beat five current playoff teams to win the AFC South and have the No. 3 Seed. Lawrence didn't really have to put on a Superman cape to come back and win games since the team has been good on both sides of the ball for the majority of the season and played through most games with a lead into the fourth quarter. I think it's easy for some people to get caught up on the media's spin on Allen's play when actually Lawrence matches Allen fairly well and even exceeds Allen in some areas this season. I thought this was interesting to point out and think about considering the Wild Card Playoff game this Sunday, which I will be attending.

Lawrence has played on a similar statistical level to Allen this season, particularly in the last six-to-eight weeks. It's perhaps true that he has played a bit better than Allen at times. Why is Allen considered so much better than Lawrence? Because he has done it over an extended period, which should and does matter when discussing these things. Allen's production over his career and this season has earned him a reputation as perhaps the best quarterback in this postseason while Lawrence still must earn that reputation. The postseason is where players earn reputations. Kickoff is Sunday at 1 p.m.

David from Sweden

Just a question from a fan in Europe that has just watched a bunch of Premier League teams fire their manager and then proceeded to almost steal a coach from another team. That happens all the time. Is there a specific reason that can't happen or doesn't happen in the NFL or other big American sports?

Most NFL head coaches are under contracts that don't allow other teams to contact or interview them.

JEG from Aurora, CO

I don't think any other team has a kicker who can impact the opponent's defensive and offensive play calling. As Little demonstrated Sunday, teams can be penalized if they miss a long field goal or fourth-down attempt. Am I wrong to think that opponents will think twice and punt when presented with a similar scenario as the Titans had Sunday?

There are multiple NFL kickers capable of converting relatively consistently from 60-plus yards into the mid-60s. I don't think there's any question having such a kicker can influence playcalling and decision-making at critical times.

Anita from Springfield

I'm locking it. Super Bowl-bound. Let me know where to pick up my Lululemon hoodie, and if Austen Lane could sign it that'd be swell.

Anita's got jokes. And locks.

Jason from North Pole, AK

The storyline is about the quarterbacks. But I think this game will be decided between the Jaguars' No. 1-ranked run defense and the Bills' No. 1-ranked rushing offense. Stopping Bills running back James Cook and forcing long down and distance feels like the key to victory.

Cook is as good as any running back in the NFL. The Bills run as well as any team in the NFL. The Jaguars stop the run as well as any team in the NFL. I expect the Bills to have some surges of success running. They're elite in this area. The key will be whether the Jaguars can limit those surges and not have them define the game.

Scott from Jax in Rehoboth Bch DE

After hearing about the No. 6-seeded Bills being favored over our No. 3-seeded Jags at our house on Sunday, I've got so many uneasy league-directed questions and thoughts, O-man. But don't waste your time trying wrap your head around the league's decisions because it doesn't matter. Happy Playoffs O-Man! Thanks for all that you do for us fans:)

The NFL doesn't set point spreads. Oddsmakers do.

Daniel from St Johns

I've only been following football since Gale Sayers was the star running back of the Chicago Bears, but I don't recall ever hearing this term "heavy package " with an extra tackle. Isn't this just an extra tight end? Isn't the sixth lineman an eligible receiver or is there something else different?

A heavy package with an extra tackle is conceptually similar to using an offensive lineman as an extra tight end – and yes, the "extra tackle" is an eligible receiver in the heavy package.

Cliff from Everywhere with helicopter

John. I am currently of the opinion that "I can't wait till Sunday" is way better than "I can't wait for this season to be over."

These are good times to be the Jaguars and their fans. Enjoy it. You have earned it.