The Buffalo Bills defense is going to take the ball away from the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s a prediction, and not a particularly bold one, as the Bills play their first playoff game in 18 years on Sunday against Blake Bortles and the Jags offense.
Jacksonville has turned over the ball in 12 of their 16 games this season. They have multiple turnover in six games, including three and four against the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans over the last two weeks, respectively.
Bortles, the starting quarterback for the Jaguars, has 13 interceptions, tied for seventh-most in the league. And his numbers get even worse against teams with winning records; he is 132-for-226 (58%) for 1502 yards with nine touchdowns compared to eight interceptions.
Here are some great videos to watch:
Tell me this guy won't keep you in games... pic.twitter.com/nm5o1kSztT
— YardsPerPass (@YardsPerPass) January 2, 2018
Just watch Bortles work his magic from a clean pocket
— YardsPerPass (@YardsPerPass) January 2, 2018
(Yes I know I'm cherry picking, but this is awful) pic.twitter.com/XMxvPjV1oO
The Bills have also done their part, snagging turnovers in 12 of their 16 games, including five over the last three weeks. They are ninth in the NFL, forcing turnovers on 13.1% of their opponents’ drives. Eight fumbles, including a huge return touchdown by Tre’Davious White against the Falcons, is good but the 18 interceptions is even better. Safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde lead the team with five each with the rookie White just behind them at four. Sharecee White, Matt Milano, E.J. Gaines and the departed Trae Elston each have one.
And Buffalo is scoring on those turnovers, too. Poyer, Milano, and White each have return touchdowns to help the lackluster offense on the scoreboard.
The Bills are 8-2 when winning the turnover battle in 2017. With Tyrod Taylor leading the league in interception efficiency, Buffalo is 7th in turnover percentage.