Quarterback Josh Allen delivered a performance of sheer grit and determination to end one of the NFL's longest active curses, powering the Buffalo Bills to a nail-biting 27-24 AFC wildcard victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Allen's Fourth-Quarter Masterclass Seals Historic Win
With the game on the line, Josh Allen produced the decisive moments that have defined his career. Facing pressure from linebacker Devin Lloyd, he connected with receiver Brandin Cooks for a critical 36-yard gain just before the two-minute warning. He then emphatically finished the drive himself, refusing to be stopped on a 10-yard quarterback sneak before plunging in for a one-yard touchdown run to put Buffalo ahead for good.
Allen's stat line was a model of efficient, commanding play. He completed 28 of his 35 pass attempts for 273 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for two scores. Crucially, he was sacked only once and committed no turnovers, a disciplined approach designed to neutralise Jacksonville's feared pass rush.
Ending a Decades-Long Road Playoff Hoodoo
This victory was historic for the Bills franchise, shattering a painful streak that had lasted generations. The win marks Buffalo's first playoff victory on the road in over 30 years, a run stretching back to the 1992 AFC championship game in Miami. Under head coach Sean McDermott, the team had been 0-5 in road playoff games, including a loss in Jacksonville back in the 2017 wildcard round.
The Jaguars, who had taken a late lead with just over four minutes remaining, had one final chance to respond. However, the Bills' defence stood firm, intercepting a deflected pass on Jacksonville's last-gasp drive to seal the dramatic result at EverBank Stadium.
A Necessary Victory Against the Odds
The triumph was all the more impressive given the context. The Bills' offensive success came despite the Jaguars effectively containing the league's leading rusher this season, James Cook, who was limited to just 46 yards on 15 carries. Allen's dual-threat capability and cool head under pressure therefore became the absolute cornerstone of Buffalo's game plan.
This gutsy wildcard round win propels the Buffalo Bills into the next stage of the postseason, finally laying to rest a notorious road playoff jinx that had haunted the team for more than three decades.
