The Buffalo Bills are riding high after a gritty 27-24 Wild Card victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday, marking their first road playoff win since the 1992 NFL season. Quarterback Josh Allen’s late-game heroics, including a game-winning drive capped by his own touchdown plunge, propelled the team forward despite a banged-up roster and a sluggish running game. The win showcased Buffalo’s resilience but also exposed some concerns, particularly on the ground, offensively and defensively.
Now, advancing as the six seed, the Bills head to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. Sean Payton’s group, fresh off a bye, has a ferocious pass rush that led the league with 68 sacks in 2025, which will likely try to do what the Jaguars did to Allen last weekend.
Heading into this matchup, let’s break down the top three Bills players and coaches trending up and those trending down, based on their Wild Card performances. Selections draw from watching the tape, and also looking at key stats and advanced metrics such as Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, adjusted completion percentage, and big-time throws. These trends highlight who stepped up in the pressure cooker of playoff football, and who needs to rebound against a Broncos defense that allowed the 12th-fewest passing yards (3,606) and held quarterbacks to just 311 rushing yards all season.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 11: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks for a receiver during the AFC Wildcard Playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills on January 11, 2026 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
No surprise here — Allen was Superman in Jacksonville, accounting for 90% of Buffalo’s total yards (306 of 340) and all three touchdowns. He completed 28-of-35 passes (80%) for 273 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions, while adding 11 carries for 33 yards and two scores, including the decisive one-yard Shnow Plow with 1:12 left. His 133.0 passer rating when trailing underscored his clutch gene, and he engineered his first career postseason game-winning drive (not really, but actually the first one that wasn’t wasted).
Advanced metrics shine even brighter: Allen posted a 94.0 PFF overall grade (highest among Wild Card quarterbacks), with an 88.2% adjusted completion rate, three big-time throws, and zero turnover-worthy plays. Despite absorbing heavy hits (including a concussion check, smashed throwing-hand finger, and knee tweak), he was sacked only once, scrambling effectively against a Jaguars defense that pressured him on 36.8% of dropbacks.
Josh was coming from what certainly were a long two weeks since missing a game-winning throw against the Philadelphia Eagles, and questions about his health were pretty valid. Despite being beaten up even more in Jacksonville, he was still capable of putting up one of the most impressive pure quarterbacking performances of his career, playing within the structure of the offense, laser-focused pre- and post-snap, and making great decisions and accurate throws all afternoon.
Add Allen’s dual-threat dominance (4,247 total yards and 39 touchdowns all-time in the regular season), and he is the engine for a potential upset in Denver, where he’ll need to exploit the Broncos’ vulnerability to mobile quarterbacks.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Cole Bishop #24 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Getty Images
The second-year safety sealed the win with a game-ending interception on quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s final effort, catching a pass that fluttered into his arms after cornerback Tre’Davious White’s deflection. Bishop’s play was part of a defensive resurgence in the fourth quarter, where Buffalo forced a punt and the turnover after allowing scores on three straight Jaguars drives to open the second half.
Bishop finished with seven tackles, a pass breakup, and an 82.5 PFF coverage grade, allowing just two catches for 18 yards on four targets. His speed (4.45 40-yard dash) and instincts helped limit Jacksonville’s explosive plays, holding them to 6.9 yards per pass completion, and Trevor Lawrence to a 30.1 ESPN QBR.
Paired with safety Jordan Poyer, Bishop has solidified Buffalo’s secondary, which ranked first in opponent completion percentage (56.8%) since Week 12. Against Denver’s Bo Nix, who threw for just 144 yards in last year’s wildcard loss to Buffalo, Bishop won’t have Poyer alongside him, making his ball-hawking skills even more important to disrupt the Broncos’ rhythm.
3. HC Sean McDermott and his coaching staff
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills celebrates as he walks off the field after an NFL wild card playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) Getty Images
McDermott’s strategic adjustments and smart decisions turned the tide. His successful replay challenge on a fourth-down Lawrence run forced a turnover on downs, swinging momentum. The defense, with defensive coordinator Bobby Babich’s help but under his oversight, clamped down late despite yielding 359 total yards, generating two turnovers and limiting Jacksonville to 5-of-10 on third and fourth downs.
Offensively, McDermott and offensive coordinator Joe Brady trusted Allen in high-leverage spots, calling for aggressive play-action that yielded 7.8 yards per attempt. He stayed cool and collected through adversity, with the Bills overcoming injuries to wide receiver Gabe Davis and veteran safety Jordan Poyer throughout the game.
McDermott’s 8-7 postseason record now includes this landmark road win, and his emphasis on “grit” and fighting adversity has the team peaking at the right time — Buffalo’s defense has allowed just 251 yards per game since Week 12 (second in the NFL). He’ll need that same fire to counter Payton’s scheming in the rematch of last year’s 31-7 Bills Wild Card rout.
Head-Scratchers: Trending Down
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 10: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills scores a rushing touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Getty Images
The reigning NFL rushing champ (1,621 yards, 12 TDs in 2025) was bottled up, managing just 46 yards on 15 carries (3.1 YPC) against a Jaguars front that stacked the box on 60% of runs. Cook’s longest gain was nine yards, and he forced only three missed tackles, down from his season average. His 58.7 PFF grade ranks among the lowest for Bills offensive players, reflecting inefficiency in short-yardage (0-for-2 on 3rd & Short). Buffalo’s run game totaled just 79 yards, forcing Allen into hero mode.
Cook must rediscover his explosiveness against Denver, who limited backs to 4.2 ypc in 2025. With running back Ty Johnson’s status up in the air, it would be nice to see Jimbo more involved in the passing game (just 2 catches on 3 targets for 5 yards vs. Jacksonville). The Second-Team All-Pros’ help certainly would be appreciated by his franchise quarterback.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Ray Davis #22 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) Getty Images
Speaking of All-Pro help, how about running back Ray Davis? The only First-Team selection from Buffalo didn’t impact the game as expected in Jacksonville, losing a fumble on one of his four kick-return attempts. His 57.9 PFF grade shows he could’ve played better, as he gained 119 yards (29.8 average) on four kick returns, with the longest going for 34 yards.
It wasn’t bad by any means but, in the biggest stage, the Bills need their best players playing at their absolute best, and in Ray’s case, it includes not fumbling the ball and going over his league-best 30.4 kick return average. It could be the difference in what may become a defensive battle at Mile High.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 21: Spencer Brown #79 of the Buffalo Bills in action during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) Diamond Images/Getty Images
Brown struggled in pass protection, allowing three pressures and a sack that stalled a second-quarter drive. His 59.5 PFF grade highlights issues with edge speed, as Jacksonville’s Travon Walker beat him twice. The line as a whole permitted pressure on 36.8% of dropbacks, forcing Allen to get rid of the ball quickly or scramble often. Brown’s run-blocking was middling (56.2 PFF), contributing to the ground game’s woes.
Facing Denver’s Nik Bonitto (14 sacks) and his team’s ferocious pass rush, Brown and the Bills OL need a bounce-back. Being able to run the ball efficiently and keep the offense ahead of the chains will be a must. Allowing their defense to put Buffalo on 3rd and long consistently plays into Vance Joseph’s unit strengths. The Bills got to avoid it at all costs.
WR Khalil Shakir (12 catches on 12 targets, 82 yards; 85.0 PFF receiving grade for reliability);WR Brandin Cooks (key 36-yard clutch grab, 19.3 yards per reception last week);CB Tre’Davious White (tipped pass leading to INT, 33.2 passer rating allowed in his last 5 games).WR Gabe Davis (60.6 PFF, two drops, season-ending injury);DE Joey Bosa (Player): Invisible in 31 snaps with zero tackles, one QB hit, a 39.0 PFF grade (5.9% rush win rate);DE Greg Rousseau (Player): Neutralized with zero sacks, one pressure, and a 52.4 PFF pass-rush grade (7.1% win rate), allowing 5.2 YPC on runs to his side.
Catch up on all this and more with the latest edition of Leading the Charge!