The Buffalo Bills secured a 27-24 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Saturday’s tightly contested AFC Wild Card matchup.
After over nine scoreless minutes to open the game, the Bills got on the board first with a 50-yard field goal from Matt Prater. The Jaguars responded with a six-play drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown catch from WR Brian Thomas Jr.
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The Bills immediately gave up a fumble on the following drive, but forced Jacksonville into a turnover on downs. Buffalo’s offense finally opened up on the next drive, ending on a two-yard rushing touchdown by QB Josh Allen.
As the first half came to an end, the Bills held on to a 10-7 advantage.
Buffalo had possession to start the second half, but Jacksonville’s sturdy defense slowed their momentum and forced them into a field goal.
In less than three minutes, the Jaguars made it in field goal range on fourth down and Cam Little cut the deficit to three. The Jaguars’ defense was in full control once again, sacking a beat-up Allen and forcing a near-immediate punt.
After holding onto the ball into the start of the fourth quarter, Jags QB Trevor Lawrence connected with WR Parker Washington in the end zone to take a 17-13 lead with 13 minutes left to play.
Allen and the Bills came alive once again and found TE Dalton Kincaid in the end zone on a 15-yard reception, taking a 20-17 lead.
But the running game came up for the Jaguars on the following drive before RB Travis Etienne Jr. had a 14-yard touchdown catch to retake the lead with less than five minutes to go.
With the season on the line, the Bills led a slow but steady drive towards the endzone.
On 4th-and-inches at the 11-yard line, the Bills turned a tush-push attempt into an impressive 10-yard gain. The following play saw the Bills take a three-point lead on a 1-yard QB sneak.
The Jaguars had one last opportunity to tie or take the lead, but it ended in a nightmare for Jacksonville. Bills safety Cole Bishop picked off Lawrence near the 40-yard line, securing the victory and ending the Jaguars’ season.
Allen finished the game with 273 passing yards, one passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns. He completed 28 of his 35 pass attempts.
For Jacksonville, Lawrence had 207 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 18 of his 30 attempts.
The impressive victory is Buffalo’s first postseason road win since 1992.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
