Josh Allen leads Bills past Jaguars for historic road playoff win

Josh Allen delivered one of the toughest performances of his career as the Buffalo Bills edged the Jacksonville Jaguars 27–24 on Sunday, securing the franchise’s first road playoff victory in 33 years. The reigning NFL MVP combined physical resilience with precise execution to guide Buffalo through a tense AFC wild-card opener at EverBank Stadium.

The victory ended a long-standing postseason road drought and kept Buffalo’s Super Bowl hopes alive as it prepares for another away test in the divisional round.

Allen’s defining drive seals the outcome

Under sustained pressure and facing Jacksonville linebacker Devin Lloyd, Allen completed a critical 36-yard pass to Brandin Cooks just before the two-minute warning. He then finished the drive himself, scoring on a one-yard quarterback run after Jacksonville elected not to contest the final plunge.

The march featured a decisive fourth-down sneak in which Allen gained 10 yards, refusing to go down as defenders dragged him toward the goal line. The sequence embodied Buffalo’s approach throughout the afternoon.

“When your quarterback’s that type of warrior, that type of competitor, it just goes through the whole team,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.

Buffalo improved to 13–5 and will face either Denver, Pittsburgh, or Houston next weekend, with the opportunity to build a rare road postseason streak.

Efficient passing offsets stalled run game

Aware of Jacksonville’s pass rush, Allen focused on quick releases and ball security. He completed 28 of 35 passes for 273 yards and one touchdown, added two rushing scores, and was sacked only once. He did not commit a turnover.

Wide receiver Khalil Shakir led Buffalo with 12 receptions for 82 yards, while Brandin Cooks delivered the game’s most pivotal catch late. The Bills’ rushing attack, however, struggled. NFL rushing leader James Cook was limited to 46 yards on 15 carries.

“Such a competitor,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said of Allen. “He was spitting it out pretty good, obviously. He definitely carried them.”

Defense closes the door late

Jacksonville still had a chance to respond after Allen’s go-ahead score, but quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s first pass of the final possession was tipped and intercepted. Cornerback Tre’Davious White deflected the ball before safety Cole Bishop secured the interception, effectively ending the game.

Allen praised White’s impact following a period of scrutiny and injury setbacks. “To get him back in a Bills uniform and making plays for us when we need it the most, that’s Tre,” he said.

The interception capped a defensive effort that bent at times but delivered when Buffalo needed it most.

Jaguars’ missed opportunities

Lawrence completed 18 of 30 passes for 207 yards, throwing touchdown passes to Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, and Travis Etienne. Washington finished with seven receptions for 107 yards, providing Jacksonville with consistent production in the passing game.

However, Lawrence also threw two interceptions, including the decisive final one. “You don’t get do-overs,” he said afterward. “It’s a bummer, but I know we left everything out there.”

Jacksonville’s offensive balance is likely to face scrutiny. Etienne and rookie Bhayshul Tuten combined for 118 rushing yards on just 14 carries against a Buffalo defense that entered the game vulnerable against the run.

Ending a decades-long road drought

The win marked a significant milestone for Buffalo. Under McDermott, the Bills had gone 0–5 in road playoff games, beginning with a loss in Jacksonville during the 2017 season. Overall, Buffalo had dropped eight straight postseason road games since defeating Miami in the 1992 AFC Championship.

“We were aware of what the talk was,” McDermott said. “But at the end of the day, the game is decided between the white lines.”

For Allen, the victory carried added significance after Buffalo fell short on late playoff drives in each of the past two seasons. “It just means we get another game,” he said.

Allen absorbs punishment, stays on the field

The performance was notable not only for its impact but for Allen’s physical toll. He visited the medical tent twice in the first half without missing a snap. On one play, his helmet took consecutive blows, and his left ear appeared to be bleeding. Later, he struck his right hand against a lineman’s helmet after releasing a pass and awkwardly bent his left leg on a short touchdown run.

Each time, Allen returned. The 6-foot-5 quarterback finished the game visibly battered but effective, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s most durable players.

Key injuries

Buffalo lost safety Jordan Poyer to a hamstring injury early in the third quarter, further thinning an already depleted secondary. Wide receiver Gabe Davis injured his left knee in the fourth quarter and was ruled out after being carted off.

For Jacksonville, right guard Patrick Mekari exited with a back injury, while left guard Ezra Cleveland rotated with rookie Wyatt Milum after being shaken up.