Jaguars' superb defensive effort against Bills shuts down NFL's highest-scoring team

JACKSONVILLE -- The Jaguars brought ferocious pressure from the edge and through the middle Sunday to torment Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen at TIAA Bank Field. 

It was enough to diminish the Bills' high-powered offense into a unit that couldn't get into the end zone for the first time this season. The Jaguars put together their best overall performance of the season to upset the Bills 9-6 and get their second win.

At no point did the Jaguars' pressure let up as they often forced the Bills' Allen to make running throws because the pocket closed quickly. In the fourth quarter, they came hard with all-out pressure on Allen -- defensive end Dawuane Smoot forced a fumble that the Jaguars' Josh Allen recovered. (The game featured the battle of the two Josh Allens.)

But the Jaguars' Allen outdid Buffalo's Allen. He sacked Allen, marking the first time an NFL player sacked a quarterback with the same first and last name. He also intercepted an Allen pass and recovered a fumble. Defensive end Taven Bryan had mostly been a disappointment for the past three seasons. But not Sunday. He enjoyed his first multiple-sack game in his career. 

The Jaguars defensive front pushed back the Bills offensive line and shot through the open gaps to get after Allen.

Got a scare

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was forced out of the game briefly late in the first half with a right ankle injury. It was serious enough to keep him from returning after he was initially injured; Lawrence couldn't put pressure on his right foot when the trainers helped him off the field. The Jaguars officially listed Lawrence questionable to return. But after backup quarterback C.J. Beathard  completed 2 of 2 passes for 33 yards, Lawrence returned to the game. 

Takeaways

The Jaguars came into the game next-to-last in the NFL in turnover differential at minus-11. They came in with just two interceptions after seven games. But the Jaguars became the first team this season to intercept Josh Allen twice. Both safety Rudy Ford and Josh Allen intercepted Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the third quarter. They also forced a fumble.    

Patchwork OL holds up

The Jaguars were without three starters on their offensive line due to injuries -- center Brandon Linder, A.J. Cann and Cam Robinson, who was a late scratch before the game because of back soreness. Rookie Walker Little earned his first career start in place of Robinson. Little got beat a few times off the edge and was knocked back into Lawrence, which caused the quarterback's right ankle injury.  

Ground attack

The Jaguars were without their leading rusher, James Robinson, who was ruled out before the game because of a bruised heel.  Carlos Hyde ran for tough yardage throughout the day but he lost a critical fumble on a first-and-10 play at the Buffalo 20. 

Not beaten for big plays

The Jaguars had been vulnerable to giving up explosive plays throughout the season. But they limited Josh Allen's ability to strike for big plays because of their pass rush, and the secondary avoided coverage busts, especially against Stefon Diggs and Emmanuel Sanders. Allen's longest pass completion went for 22 yards to Sanders. In last week's loss to the Seattle, the Jaguars secondary was carved up for 195 yards on 20-of-24 completions by backup quarterback Geno Smith.