Bills at Jaguars: 5 things to watch for during wild-card game

Jan 9, 2026 - 03:30

0 0

Bills at Jaguars: 5 things to watch for during wild-card game

Buffalo Bills are have rounded out their 2025 NFL regular season schedule and now the postseason begins.

All week, topics and storylines have been discussed ahead of this upcoming AFC clash. In the end, regardless of what is said by players, coaches, media outlets and fans, it always comes down to what unfolds on the field in the NFL.

And once it's game time, there will be a few particular things to look out for.

With that, here are five things to watch for during the Bills (12-5) versus the Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) wild-card game:

Josh's foot

Oct 8, 2023; London United Kingdom, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17)] throws the ball under pressure from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (94) during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries are always watched, none as big as when it's your franchise quarterback.

The last time we saw him, Allen was hampered by a foot injury. Did time off in Week 18 help him and other starters that were nursing injuries?

Start could be key

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, quarterback Josh Allen, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, and left tackle Dion Dawkins listen to the singing of the National Anthem before first half action against the Jets at home in Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 4, 2026.

The Jaguars are no team to overlook. They are entering the postseason on an impressive eight-game winning streak. The AFC South winners are the hottest team in the NFL heading into the postseason. It will be tough and confident opponent awaiting Buffalo.

James Cook's challenge

Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

While Allen and the Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence will have their impacts on the outcome, this battle could be even larger.

Throughout the 2025 season, Buffalo's offense has always looked better when they've gotten running back James Cook involved successfully. Cook won the NFL's rushing title and the Bills were the No. 1 rushing offense in the league, putting up 159.6 yards per game.

On the flip side, the Jags allowed only 85.6 rushing yards per game, making them the NFL's best run defense.

Cook has to get going.

How kicking affects game plan

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills place kicker Matt Prater (15) kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

It sounds like veteran kicker Matt Prater could be good to go. If he doesn't, this one is obvious. But even if Prater (quad) does suit up, can he stay on the field? Extra points might not seem like a big deal, but the Bills are not the best team at two-point conversions.

Bills Mafia travels

Bills tight end Dawson Knox leaps into the stands to celebrate with fans after scoring the opening touchdown of the game in first quarter against the Jets during the first half of their last regular season game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. The Bills won 35-8.

With the likely final game at Highmark Stadium in Week 18 being a big highlight moment for Bills fans, this one could be a similar look for Buffalo fans too. Bills Mafia travels very, very well. Jacksonville is not Green Bay, Philadelphia or another NFL hot bed.

Could this be close to a home game? That could help the Bills.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills at Jaguars: 5 things to watch for during wild-card game