JACKSONVILLE, FL — In a game that lived up to its billing as the marquee matchup of the NFL Wild Card weekend, the Jacksonville Jaguars overcame a sluggish start and a legendary performance from Josh Allen to defeat the Buffalo Bills in a 31-28 nail-biter at EverBank Stadium. The victory extends Jacksonville’s franchise-best winning streak to nine games and marks a triumphant playoff debut for rookie head coach Liam Coen.
The atmosphere in North Florida was electric as over 67,000 fans packed “The Bank,” witnessing a clash that featured four lead changes, a combined 800 yards of offense, and a final quarter that left both fanbases breathless.
A Defensive Battle Turns Into a Shootout
The afternoon began as a defensive stalemate. The Bills’ defense, led by Shaq Thompson, set the tone early by intercepting Trevor Lawrence on the Jaguars’ opening drive. Buffalo capitalized on the turnover with a 50-yard field goal from Matt Prater to take an early 3-0 lead.
However, the tide began to turn in the second quarter. After Josh Allen was briefly sent to the “blue tent” for a concussion evaluation—later returning to the cheers of the traveling Bills Mafia—the Jaguars’ offense found its rhythm. Lawrence connected with tight end Brenton Strange for a series of mid-range gains before Travis Etienne punched in a 7-yard touchdown to give Jacksonville their first lead of the day.
The drama intensified just before halftime when Buffalo’s Ray Davis fumbled a kickoff return, a mistake that allowed the Jaguars to tack on another score via a Parker Washington reception, heading into the locker room with a 14-10 advantage.
The “Super Josh” Effort
The third quarter belonged to Josh Allen. Facing an 0-4 career record in road playoff games, Allen appeared determined to single-handedly rewrite that narrative. He orchestrated a 12-play, 85-yard drive to start the half, finishing it with a signature 15-yard rushing touchdown where he leaped over two Jaguars defenders.
Buffalo’s defense backed up their quarterback, forcing a three-and-out and giving Allen the ball back with momentum. A deep 44-yard bomb to Jakobi Meyers set up another Bills touchdown, putting Buffalo ahead 24-17 and silencing the Jacksonville crowd.
The Comeback Cats Strike Again
True to the “Cardiac Jags” reputation they earned during their 2022 miracle comeback, Jacksonville did not blink. Trevor Lawrence, who finished the day with 285 yards and 3 touchdowns, led a clinical fourth-quarter comeback.
The turning point came with six minutes remaining. On a crucial 4th-and-2 from the Buffalo 36-yard line, Coach Liam Coen eschewed the field goal, trusting his quarterback. Lawrence found Etienne on a wheel route for a 22-yard gain, setting up a game-tying touchdown pass to Christian Kirk just two plays later.
With the game tied at 28-28 and less than two minutes on the clock, the Bills had one final chance. But the Jaguars’ front seven, which had been chasing Allen all afternoon, finally broke through. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen recorded a strip-sack that was recovered by the Jaguars at the Buffalo 20-yard line.
Kicker Brandon McManus, ice-cold under pressure, drilled a 37-yard field goal as time expired, sending Jacksonville to the Divisional Round and ending Buffalo’s season in heartbreaking fashion.
What’s Next?
The Jaguars now move on to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos next weekend in what promises to be a clash of titans. For the Bills, the offseason begins with questions about how to finally get over the road-playoff hump.
Final Score: Jacksonville Jaguars 31, Buffalo Bills 28
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the AFC Wild Card matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 11, 2026.
Game Outcome & Key Players
Who won the Bills vs. Jaguars Wild Card game? The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Buffalo Bills in a 31-28 thriller. The win was sealed by a 37-yard field goal from Brandon McManus as time expired, extending Jacksonville’s winning streak to nine games and sending them to the Divisional Round.
How did Josh Allen perform? Josh Allen put on a “Super Josh” performance, recording over 350 total yards. He famously hurdle-jumped two defenders for a 15-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. Despite his heroics, a late strip-sack by Josh Hines-Allen ultimately set up the Jaguars’ winning field goal.
How did Trevor Lawrence play? Lawrence threw for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns. Despite an early interception by Buffalo’s Shaq Thompson, Lawrence remained composed, leading a clinical fourth-quarter comeback that culminated in a game-tying touchdown pass to Christian Kirk.
Historical Context & Coaching
Was this a historic win for Jacksonville? Yes. Rookie head coach Liam Coen became the first coach in NFL history to lead a team from only four wins in the previous season to 13 wins and a playoff victory in his debut year. This was also the Jaguars’ ninth consecutive win, their longest streak since 1999.
What is Josh Allen’s road playoff record? Following this loss, Josh Allen is now 0-5 in road playoff games. While he has consistently put up elite yardage in these matchups (averaging over 300 yards per game), the Bills have struggled to secure wins away from Highmark Stadium in the postseason.
Injuries & Key Moments
Did Josh Allen get injured during the game? Allen briefly entered the “blue tent” in the first quarter for a concussion evaluation after a hard tackle on 3rd down. He was cleared by the independent medical staff and returned on the very next drive to lead Buffalo’s first scoring effort.
What was the biggest mistake of the game? A major turning point occurred in the second quarter when Buffalo’s Ray Davis fumbled a kickoff return. The Jaguars recovered the ball at the Buffalo 36-yard line and quickly turned the mistake into a touchdown, shifting the momentum of the game before halftime.