Sports
Week 3 MNF: Jaguars-Bills Preview, Props, Prediction
Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) attempts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images The Jacksonville Jaguars face a tall task when they attempt to win their first game of the 2024 season on Monday Night Football.
The 0-2 Jaguars travel to Buffalo to take on a 2-0 Bills team that has enjoyed three additional days off since dismantling Miami 31-10 to kick off Week 2. Buffalo is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2020.
ODDS AND TRENDS
The Bills are consensus 5.5-point favorites. That includes at BetRivers, where they have been backed by 69 percent of all spread-line bets and 59 percent of the money. Buffalo’s -265 moneyline has been even more popular, drawing 86 and 80 percent of the money, respectively.
The public is expecting a high-scoring affair, with 45.5-point Over/Under seeing the Over backed by 81 percent of the money.
PROP PICK
James Cook Anytime TD (-105): This has been the most popular player prop at the book for Monday night’s first game, garnering 2.5 percent of all player-prop money wagered at BetRivers. Cook has three touchdowns this season — all coming in the Week 2 rout in Miami. It was a breakout performance for Cook, who did not reach the end zone in his final six games last season, including three playoff contests.
KEY STATS
The underdogs have covered the spread each of the past six times these teams have met. Meanwhile, each of the Bills’ past four home games have gone over the total points total line.
THE NEWS
The matchup of the two Josh Allens has a different ring to it this season.
In fact, this time there will officially be just one on the field when the Buffalo Bills battle the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Bills’ quarterback still goes by the name, but the star Jacksonville defender who dominated the 2021 matchup now goes by Josh Hines-Allen. The change was made to honor the maternal side of his family.
Rest assured that Buffalo’s Allen won’t be confused by the change in identity when the Bills bid for a 3-0 start for the first time since 2020. He knows exactly who to look for on every snap.
“Anytime you get a D-end like that, they present problems,” Allen said Thursday of Hines-Allen, who had a career-high 17.5 sacks last season. “The motor that he has, he doesn’t let up. He finds ways to continue to get to the quarterback.
“He’s one of the premier edge rushes in the league and we have to be aware of him at all times.”
Jacksonville upset the Bills 9-6 in 2021 and Hines-Allen was a terror against the man whose name he once shared. He had an interception, recovered a fumble by Allen and notched a sack.
Hines-Allen is 2-0 in the head-to-head matchups with Allen, as the Jaguars also defeated the Bills last season, 25-20 in London.
But the teams have begun the 2024 season going in opposite directions. Allen has thrown three touchdown passes in just 42 throws and the Bills rank third in the NFL in scoring offense at 32.5 points per game.
The offense is clicking despite the offseason trade of receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Two other key performers also departed and now play for the Jaguars — center Mitch Morse and wideout Gabe Davis.
“Two guys that I’ve spent a lot of time with over the last few years here,” Allen said. “Two guys that mean a lot to me, not just football-wise. I consider them real close friends. … Takes a lot to win in this league, and they were two huge contributors over the last several years.”
The Jaguars are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since losing their first five games under Urban Meyer in 2021. They are also trying to ignite a sagging offense that is tied for 27th in scoring at 15 points per game.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence received a five-year, $275 million extension in the offseason, but his play has been largely lethargic this year. He is completing just 51 percent of his throws, and he went 14-of-30 passing with four sacks during last Sunday’s 18-13 home loss to the Cleveland Browns.
“We can’t hit the panic button, but we’ve got to have some real conversations,” Lawrence said. “We’ve got too good of a team to come out here and perform two weeks in a row like this. I mean, these games are precious and you don’t get them back, and we’re 0-2 to start the year and it’s not going to get any easier. We’d better fix it quick.”
INJURY REPORT
Allen (left hand) was a full practice participant on Thursday. The only Bills to sit out were linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) and cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm), two players who will miss the game.
Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) didn’t practice Thursday. He was injured in pregame warmups prior to the Cleveland game.
THEY SAID IT
“We’re down 0-2 right now, everybody’s going to count us out,” Hines-Allen said. “Playing against a good team — 2-0 — we’re coming in there with our backs against the wall and coming out fighting. I’m excited about that — and not (playing) in the cold.” –Hines-Allen
PREDICTION
The Jaguars handled the Bills 25-20 last season, but that was at home and when Jacksonville was playing far more consistent football. Cleveland and Miami each have a lone win this season, both against the Jaguars, who have totaled only 30 points through two games. Buffalo faces a tough three-game stretch against Baltimore, Houston and the New York Jets following Monday night, so the Bills will be focused at home to keep pace with the elite in the AFC. The bigger question is whether they’ll cover the spread –Bills 27, Jaguars 20
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mets' Francisco Lindor (calf) exits vs. Twins
Apr 22, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after his RBI infield single against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor exited Wednesday night’s game against the visiting Minnesota Twins after the fourth inning due to left calf tightness
Lindor, who was on first base following a single, did not appear to be running at full speed as he circled the diamond and scored on Francisco Alvarez’s double.
The 32-year-old grimaced while rounding third and remained on the ground for a few seconds after sliding in ahead of Victor Caratini’s tag to give the Mets — who have lost 12 straight — a 2-1 lead.
Lindor was injured the same day Juan Soto returned from a 15-game absence due to a strained right calf. The Mets won their first three games after Soto was injured Apr. 3 before beginning their losing streak.
Lindor has missed just 15 games since his most recent IL stint in 2021, when he missed more than five weeks due to a right oblique strain.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves blast four homers to bypass Nationals
Apr 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images Michael Harris II hit two home runs, Matt Olson smacked a three-run shot and the Atlanta Braves rallied from an early three-run deficit to claim an 8-6 win against the host Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.
The seventh multi-homer game of Harris’ career helped Atlanta manager Walt Weiss earn his 300th victory. Drake Baldwin homered for the second straight game for the Braves, who have earned at least a split of the four-game series.
Dylan Lee (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win. Robert Suarez pitched the ninth for his second save. After walking 12 batters on Tuesday night, Braves pitchers issued only three free passes.
James Wood homered for the second straight game for Washington. Daylen Lile hit a three-run homer and Joey Wiemer had a pinch-hit solo shot.
Washington starter Zack Littell (0-3) allowed eight runs (six earned) on seven hits over six innings.
The Braves started in on Littell early as Baldwin homered to right center in the first to make it 1-0.
Washington jumped in front with a four-run first against Atlanta starter Didier Fuentes, who lasted just three innings while allowing seven hits and four runs.
Wood and Luis Garcia, Jr. opened the first with singles and, after two strikeouts, Lile delivered a homer to center. Jacob Young singled and scored when Jorbit Vivas doubled to right.
The Braves came right back. Ozzie Albies reached on a Vivas error and Harris homered to right. Mike Yastrzemski singled, went to third on a single by Jonah Heim and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ronald Acuna, Jr.
Harris struck again in the third as his solo shot gave the Braves a 5-4 lead.
Atlanta broke it open in the fourth. Heim and Acuna drew one-out walks and, with two outs, Olson homered to right to make it 8-4.
The Nationals cut the deficit in half in the sixth on solo homers by pinch-hitter Wiemer and Wood, whose 413-foot shot was his National League-leading ninth of the season.
Washington got the tying runs on with two outs in the eighth, but Tyler Kinley struck out Curtis Mead.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Max Fried dominates as Yankees nearly blank Red Sox again
Apr 22, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Amed Rosario had four RBI in just two plate appearances and Max Fried pitched eight shutout innings, leading the visiting New York Yankees to a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.
Rosario’s three-run shot in the first inning was all that New York needed, as Fried (3-1) allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out nine, completing a masterful outing in exactly 100 pitches.
Adding to the New York offense, Giancarlo Stanton went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored, while Aaron Judge crossed the plate twice.
Jarren Duran (3-for-4) doubled twice and knocked in Boston’s only run with a ninth-inning single.
Boston left-hander Ranger Suarez (1-2) took the loss after allowing four runs through 4 2/3 innings, but the relief duo of Zack Kelly and Eduardo Rivera pitched scoreless, one-hit ball the rest of the way.
Rivera, who was recalled from Triple-A Worcester earlier in the day, pitched 3 1/3 innings of one-hit ball in his MLB debut. He struck out three.
The Yankees picked up where they left off in Tuesday’s series-opening shutout, breaking Suarez’s 14-inning scoreless streak by jumping out to a 3-0 lead on Rosario’s homer over the Green Monster. Judge drew a one-out walk and Stanton doubled two batters later with two outs to set the table.
Fried worked out of a two-on, no-out jam in the second to keep the home team scoreless, striking out three consecutive batters after Andruw Monasterio walked and Duran knocked a high wall-ball double to lead off the frame.
In the third, Judge stung a leadoff single and Stanton banged a one-out double to left. Rosario then sent a line-drive sac fly to left, extending the New York lead to 4-0.
The Red Sox were unable to cash in baserunners in the next two innings, as Wilyer Abreu had a two-out knock in the third and Duran added his second two-bagger in the fourth. Following the latter knock, Fried retired the final 14 batters he faced.
Brent Headrick was one strike away from pitching New York’s third consecutive shutout for the first time since 1962, but Duran’s knock through the middle scored Trevor Story to break up the bid in the ninth.
–Field Level Media
Mets' Francisco Lindor (calf) exits vs. Twins
Braves blast four homers to bypass Nationals
