It looked like a game where Maurice Jones-Drew and the run game should have been key, but Buffalo’s shaky run defense actually held him to under 3 yards a carry.
Jones-Drew got another touchdown, but he was picking up a blitzer on the most important play in the Jaguars’ 18-15 win that boosted their record to 6-4. David Garrard connected from 3 yards with Mike Sims-Walker for the winning score, then ran in the two-point conversion on a quarterback draw.
Buffalo’s Terrell Owens got 98 yards on one touchdown catch. Sims-Walker worked harder for 91 receiving yards, catching eight of nine passes thrown his way in an efficient performance.
The defense, meanwhile, had three takeaways, was strong on third down (holding Buffalo to three conversions on 11 attempts) and didn’t allow a touchdown on three Bills' trips inside the red zone.
Should the Titans beat Houston Monday night at Reliant Stadium, the Jaguars will stand alone in second place in the AFC South. But no matter the Texans’ result, Jacksonville continues to rank as one of the league’s surprises.
The Jaguars have steered clear of “rebuilding,” saying instead they’ve been revamping.
A reasonable expectation for them this season was forward progress.
With six games left, they’ve already eclipsed the win total from last year’s disaster and they are surely one of the most unexpected members of the AFC playoff contenders conversation.