At a Glance
- Josh Allen accounted for all three Buffalo touchdowns and 306 of 340 offensive yards.
- The game featured a playoff record-tying four fourth-quarter lead changes.
- Buffalo advances to the divisional round for the sixth straight year.
- Why it matters: The victory snapped the franchise’s 32-year road playoff win drought and keeps Super Bowl hopes alive.
The Buffalo Bills are headed to the divisional round yet again after a 27-24 road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in the wild-card round. The thrilling contest featured a playoff record-tying four fourth-quarter lead changes and ended with Josh Allen’s rushing touchdown with 1:02 left.
The victory was the Bills’ first road playoff win since the 1992 AFC Championship Game, snapping a streak of four straight road losses with Allen under center. Now, Buffalo is heading back to the divisional round for the sixth consecutive year with another road trip on tap.
For the AFC South champions, it was a bitter defeat in their return to the postseason. Jacksonville finished the regular season 13-4 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Three Takeaways from the Bills’ Win
1. Josh Allen toughs it out
Foot injury going into the game? Head injury on the opening drive? Finger injury in the second quarter? Knee injury after a rushing touchdown? None of that could stop Josh Allen in this superhuman performance.
The reigning MVP went 28 of 35 for 273 yards and a touchdown, adding two rushing scores – including the game-winner with 1:02 to play. The final touchdown was set up by a fourth-down conversion, where Allen was shoved forward 10 yards on a tush push to set up first-and-goal.
Heading into this matchup, Allen was the X-factor. Most analysts agreed that the Jags were the more complete team, but that Allen was the best player and could miraculously win it on his own. He essentially did that, accounting for all three Buffalo touchdowns and 306 of 340 offensive yards.
2. Jaguars abandon the run
The Jaguars ran the ball effectively against the Bills’ banged-up defense, but they didn’t do it enough.
Jacksonville averaged 6.7 yards per carry on 23 attempts in Sunday’s loss. Rookie Bhayshul Tuten had 51 yards on four carries, and Travis Etienne added 67 yards on 10 carries. But in the biggest moments down the stretch, the Jags relied on quarterback Trevor Lawrence to finish the job.
While Lawrence had some positive moments (three touchdowns, 207 passing yards), his two interceptions proved costly. He was picked off in the first quarter and then again on the first play of the Jags’ final drive to end it. You have to wonder if running the ball more – thus keeping Allen on the sidelines – would’ve been more of a winning strategy.
3. Bills’ injuries pile up
Buffalo escaped Florida with a win, but it didn’t escape without losing a few key contributors.
Allen’s injuries were well-documented, though he battled through to the end. Elsewhere, wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) and safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring) both exited and did not return. Wide receiver and special teams standout Tyrell Shavers briefly left with a knee injury, though he did get back on the field.
Heading into the divisional round, the Bills need all the help they can get. If the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo would head to Denver to face the Broncos. If Los Angeles pulls that one out, Buffalo would visit the winner of the Houston Texans-Pittsburgh Steelers game.
What’s Next
Buffalo now awaits its divisional-round opponent. The matchup hinges on the outcome of the Patriots-Chargers game:
- Patriots win → Bills at Broncos
- Chargers win → Bills at Texans-Steelers winner
The Bills have reached the divisional round every year since 2019, but they haven’t advanced past this stage since the 2020 season. Sunday’s win over Jacksonville provided momentum – and confidence – that this year could be different.
Super Bowl 60 on the Horizon
When and where is Super Bowl 60? Here’s what to know about the NFL’s Big Game.
Key Takeaways
- Josh Allen delivered one of the most complete performances of his career despite multiple injuries.
- Jacksonville’s decision to abandon the run may have cost them the game.
- Buffalo’s injury list is growing at the worst possible time.
- The Bills’ sixth straight divisional-round appearance sets up another road test with championship implications.
