AFC Wild Card 2018, Bills at Jaguars: Prediction, odds and pick

We’re getting ready to see the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs. Which team will prevail in this contest?

So who knows what to expect when two teams that haven’t been to the playoffs in at least a decade square off this weekend? The 9-7 Buffalo Bills travel to the Sunshine State to take on the 10-6 Jacksonville Jaguars. The former managed to grab a postseason berth last Sunday when they knocked off the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens lost at home to the Cincinnati Bengals.

These franchises actually met in the 1996 AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Buffalo, with Tom Coughlin’s surprising second-year team knocking off Jim Kelly and the Bills, 30-27. But that was then and this is the very now. Led by one-time Bills’ head coach Doug Marrone, the Jaguars won their first division title since 1999. Can the team add to that accomplishment with a postseason victory?

Odds

Line: Jaguars (-9)

Over/Under: 39.5

The Jaguars have dropped their last two games but are still prohibitive favorites when it comes to this playoff meeting. Marrone’s club is a nine-point favorite (via OddsShark) to end the Bills’ season. Given the fact that only the Minnesota Vikings allowed fewer points in the league this season, the over/under of 39.5 is about right.

More fansided.com: NFL power rankings, Week 17: Titans, Falcons, Bills join playoff field

The Buffalo Bills have been quite the story this season and somehow managed a playoff berth despite a very erratic finish. On the other hand, the AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t been much better in recent weeks. Of course, McCoy’s availability for this weekend will be a game-time decision. But while the Jaguars’ defense has been one of the best units in the league all season, don’t be surprised if the Buffalo offensive front gets the best of this match-up.

Pick: Bills 17, Jaguars 16