by Sports Xchange

That may give the Jaguars even more of an edge because a coach leaving in a non-bye week can be a disaster.

San Francisco did it to Mike Nolan last October and the 49ers lost that week to Seattle, 34-13. Bobby Petrino walked out on Atlanta in December 2007 and the Falcons lost to the Bucs, 37-3.

The Jaguars go into this one an 8 1/2 point favorite. But when the Jaguars are big favorites, they're not always reliable. They're 6-12 against the spread when favored by 6.5 points or more under coach Jack Del Rio.

Just two weeks ago, they failed to cover against the Rams at home in a 23-20 overtime victory.

But the Jaguars are trying not to act overconfident.

The Jaguars insist the firing of Jauron could give the Bills a boost.

"Teams are going to go in two ways in that situation and so we're expecting them they're going to come out fired up wanting to make a statement," running back Maurice Jones-Drew said.

"Actually, I think it will make them a little hungrier," quarterback David Garrard said. "They've got things that they're trying to prove and everybody knows that their job is kind of on the line so I see them coming out and giving us a tough battle like it should be."

Del Rio said the coaching change won't affect their preparation.

"In terms of our preparation for this ballgame, it really will remain the same. Week to week you go into a game anticipating changes, utilization of personnel, matchups, those are the things we'll continue to focus on, so in many respects we'll approach this the same way," Del Rio said.

So this is a game the Jaguars should win easily. But they often don't go the easy way.

SERIES HISTORY: 9th regular-season meeting. Bills lead series 5-3. Buffalo scored 10 points in the final quarter to beat Jacksonville 20-16 last season. The Bills took the lead on a 74-yard drive, the Jaguars went three-and-out and the Bills added field goal. The Jaguars first-ever playoff game was a 30-27 victory at Buffalo in 1996.