The Bills have carried one of the NFL’s more stubborn statistical burdens: a road playoff drought that has lingered for decades. That narrative is finally gone. In a chaotic, lead-flipping wild-card game, Buffalo beat Jacksonville 27–24, powered by a gutsy performance from Josh Allen, timely receiving contributions, and a late defensive play that sealed it.
The final quarter played like a highlight reel four lead changes and a surge of points that made every possession feel like it could decide the season. Allen, dealing with injuries yet still central to everything Buffalo does, threw for a touchdown and ran for two more, including the go-ahead score on a 1-yard keeper with just over a minute remaining. The numbers were strong 28-of-35 passing for 273 yards, plus key rushing production but the bigger story was command under stress.
Jacksonville had its own offensive answers. Trevor Lawrence tossed three touchdown passes and engineered scoring drives that repeatedly forced Buffalo into chase mode. For long stretches, the Jaguars looked poised to control the ending, especially when they reclaimed the lead late in the fourth. But the Bills responded quickly, pushing into scoring range and converting the game’s most important snaps.
Buffalo also won on the margins, even amid mistakes. A missed field goal and a turnover on downs could have broken the Bills in a playoff road environment. Instead, they kept generating first downs when they needed them most helped by key catches and a willingness to keep the ball in Allen’s hands.
The decisive moment came defensively: with Jacksonville still alive, a tipped ball turned into an interception with under a minute left. Those are the postseason plays that separate teams who advance from teams who “almost” do. It wasn’t just luck; it was a defense continuing to contest throws and staying engaged through a frantic finish.
For Buffalo, the win reframes the postseason conversation. The Bills have often been evaluated through the lens of “Can they win outside their comfort zone?” and “Can they finish tight games against good quarterbacks?” This one checked both boxes. It’s also a reminder that Buffalo’s identity remains Allen-centric: when the game becomes chaotic, they don’t shy away they lean harder into their quarterback’s versatility.
For the Jaguars, the loss will sting because it wasn’t a collapse so much as a missed chance in a game where their offense produced enough to win. The next step is consistency in late-game sequencing: avoiding the one or two plays that swing outcomes, especially against a quarterback who can erase a lead with both arm and legs.