Jaguars’ Week Five: Round 2 in London

A win in London in week four brought the Jaguars back to .500. Now, the Jaguars’ week five matchup is against a scorching hot Buffalo Bills in London, except this time in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

After a disappointing start to the 2023 season, the Jaguars have managed to get back on track and are tied with the entire AFC South. A disappointing loss to the Texans at home and a rebound performance in London against the Falcons have set the Jaguars up for a pivotal matchup against one of the top teams in the NFL.

An early season test for the Jaguars’ defense against a great room of wide receivers and a quarterback playing at the top of their game. This game will feature some incredible matchups to pay attention to in the Jaguars’ week five matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Jaguars’ Week Five: 3 Matchups to Watch

Josh Allen vs Josh Allen (and the Bill’s offensive line)

It’s rare to have two players with the same name in the spotlight, and even more so playing the same sport. It’s especially more interesting when the two players get to directly face each other. For the second time, the Jaguars’ Josh Allen and the Bills’ Josh Allen face off against one another.

The last time these two faced off, the Jaguars beat the Bills 9 to 6. A low-scoring game where the Jaguar’s Josh Allen made the largest impact of the two on the field. The Jaguars Josh Allen recorded a sack, a fumble recovery, and an interception all in that game, each coming in a separate quarter. On that day in early November, Josh Allen got the better of Josh Allen.

In the Jaguars’ week five matchup, the result might be different. With the Bills continuing to see development from their Josh Allen in the passing game and the Jaguar’s Josh Allen developing further as a pass rusher, it’s going to be a great matchup to see which Josh Allen comes out on top.

In the week leading up to the Jaguars’ week five matchup, the Bills’ Josh Allen said that he “scares me” and that the Jaguars’ Josh Allen got to him the last time they faced. It’s a testament to how well the Jaguars Josh Allen has played that he is deserving of fear around the league. After putting up three sacks against the Falcons in week four in London, Josh Allen is tied for the league lead in sacks with six and can continue his incredible season by sacking the quarterback with the same name as him.

Jaguars’ week five features some incredible matchups, but none more of a fun storyline than the two Josh Allens facing each other for the second time in the last three years. Keep an eye out for both Josh Allen’s on Sunday in London; they should both be putting on a show.

Tyson Campbell vs. Stefon Diggs

A true battle for Tyson Campbell will be Stefon Diggs. Through four weeks, he hasn’t had a ton of tough competition. Drake London in week four, Nico Collins in week three, any Chiefs receiver in week two, and Michael Pittman in week one. It’s a mix of young talent performing this year and others struggling. But in the Jaguars’ week five matchup, Tyson Campbell gets to face Stefon Diggs, by far the toughest matchup of the year so far for Campbell.

Diggs is an incredible receiver, and there’s no doubt that Tyson Campbell will be challenged in week five. But Campbell has shown out so far in 2023 to be one of the better corners in the NFL. Campbell had a breakout year in 2022 and is once again playing at a high level in 2023.

The benefit of this Jaguars’ secondary is how every spot has played great so far in 2023. Darious Williams has been incredible, including the pick-six in week four. Tre Herndon has been very solid for the Jaguars’ defense in coverage. But Andre Cisco has been the most notable player in the Jaguars’ secondary. Cisco has played like a top-five safety in the NFL, and PFF has graded him as an 88.8 defensive grade through four weeks.

It’s a tough matchup for Tyson Campbell, but one that he’s capable of winning, especially with the supporting cast in the secondary providing help and tighter windows for Josh Allen. Jaguars’ week five features a fantastic matchup between the Jaguars corners and Bills receivers, and Tyson Campbell vs. Stefon Diggs is the marquee matchup in what should be an incredible battle.

Von Miller vs. Jaguars Offensive Line

Just like when the Jaguars had the privilege of facing Chris Jones in his first game back, they also get to face Von Miller coming off an injury he suffered in 2022. The Jaguars’ week five matchup will feature another defensive star returning to their team.

But this time, the Jaguars get back Cam Robinson from a suspension, which will allow Walker Little to move to left guard. Of course, Walker Little has been incredible at left tackle, and while he’s performed well above expectations, Cam Robinson returning to anchor the offensive line allows for a better overall offensive line starting in the Jaguars’ week five matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison are both solid offensive tackles, but Von Miller has been one of the best pass rushers in NFL history and will be a huge challenge for the Jaguars’ offensive tackles. Von Miller returning from injury is a huge get for the Bills’ defense, especially after Tre’Davious White tore his Achilles in week four. But the pass rush can get home, and Von Miller will make things especially challenging for the rookie and the veteran coming back for his first game.

If the Jaguars’ offense wants to keep pace with the potent Bills offense, they will need to find a way to contain Von Miller, which is no simple task. Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison will be the two tasked with protecting Trevor Lawrence from one of the NFL’s best pass rushers. Keep an eye on this matchup for what could decide the Jaguars’ week five matchup.

Injury Reports for Jaguars’ Week Five

Jacksonville Jaguars Injury Report

• WR – Zay Jones (Knee) Questionable
• WR – Parker Washington (Knee) Out
• DB – Antonio Johnson (Hamstring) Questionable
• LB – Devin Lloyd (Thumb) Out
• WR – Jamal Agnew (Quad) Questionable
• OLB – Josh Allen (Shoulder) No Injury Designation
• OLB – Dawuane Smoot (Achilles) Out
• OT – Cam Robinson (Not Injury Related – Suspension) No Injury Designation
• DT – Foley Fatukasi (Shoulder) Questionable
• DB – Christian Braswell (Hamstring) Out

Zay Jones is on track to play for the first time since week two, and while a couple of other players are questionable, Foley Fatukasi is on track to play along. Fortunately, no huge losses for the Jaguars heading into the Jaguars’ week five matchup against the Bills.

The most notable injury for the Jaguars is Dawuane Smoot, as he is coming off the PUP list but not in week five. One of the core pieces to this Jaguars pass rush is going to miss another week, but there’s hope he can return in week six now that he’s been ruled out.

Overall, the Jaguars are getting healthier and need all the help they can get in a tough matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo Bills Injury Report

• CB Christian Benford (Shoulder) Questionable
• DE Leonard Floyd (Vet Rest) No Injury Designation
• RB Damien Harris (Neck) No Injury Designation
• S Micah Hyde (Vet Rest) No Injury Designation
• TE Dawson Know (Quad) No Injury Designation
• LB Matt Milano (Vet Rest) No Injury Designation
• EDGE Von Miller (Knee) Questionable
• S Jordan Poyer (Knee) No Injury Designation
• DE Greg Rousseau (Foot) Out
• CB Tre’Davious White (Achilles) Out

While the Jaguars are dealing with less severe injuries to a couple of players, the Bills have a couple of key players out with injuries. Greg Rousseau is projected to miss the Jaguars’ week five matchup, along with Tre’Davious White. White’s injury is a brutal one for the Bills. But the bills do get Von Miller back. Unfortunately, the Bills will still be short-staffed.

Another factor at play for the Bills with their injuries is the fact that the Jaguars’ receiving core is very good, and missing Tre’Davious White puts the backups in a tough position. Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and potentially Zay Jones will be a tough set of weapons for the Bills to stop. With the injuries to the Bills’ defense, that job gets a lot harder.

Prediction for Jaguars’ Week Five

The Jaguars’ week five matchup against the Bills is another London matchup for the Jaguars and the first trip abroad for the Bills. While the Jaguars come into this matchup healthier than the Bills, along with being in a familiar environment in London, the Bills are an incredibly talented team.

In the Jaguars’ week five matchup, I have the Bills beating the Jaguars in a close one. Josh Allen for the Bills gets his revenge against the Jaguars’ Josh Allen, with the Jaguars falling to two and three in the 2023 season.