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<\/a><\/p>\nJACKSONVILLE, 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<\/p>\n
No surprise here \u2014 Allen was Superman in Jacksonville, accounting for 90% of Buffalo\u2019s 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\u2019t wasted).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Add Allen\u2019s 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\u2019ll need to exploit the Broncos\u2019 vulnerability to mobile quarterbacks.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n The second-year safety sealed the win with a game-ending interception on quarterback Trevor Lawrence\u2019s final effort, catching a pass that fluttered into his arms after cornerback Tre\u2019Davious White\u2019s deflection. Bishop\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s explosive plays, holding them to 6.9 yards per pass completion, and Trevor Lawrence to a 30.1 ESPN QBR.<\/p>\n Paired with safety Jordan Poyer, Bishop has solidified Buffalo\u2019s secondary, which ranked first in opponent completion percentage (56.8%) since Week 12. Against Denver\u2019s Bo Nix, who threw for just 144 yards in last year\u2019s wildcard loss to Buffalo, Bishop won\u2019t have Poyer alongside him, making his ball-hawking skills even more important to disrupt the Broncos\u2019 rhythm.<\/p>\n 3. HC Sean McDermott and his coaching staff<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n McDermott\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n McDermott\u2019s 8-7 postseason record now includes this landmark road win, and his emphasis on \u201cgrit\u201d and fighting adversity has the team peaking at the right time \u2014 Buffalo\u2019s defense has allowed just 251 yards per game since Week 12 (second in the NFL). He\u2019ll need that same fire to counter Payton\u2019s scheming in the rematch of last year\u2019s 31-7 Bills Wild Card rout.<\/p>\n Head-Scratchers: Trending Down<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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\u2019s run game totaled just 79 yards, forcing Allen into hero mode.<\/p>\n Cook must rediscover his explosiveness against Denver, who limited backs to 4.2 ypc in 2025. With running back Ty Johnson\u2019s 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\u2019 help certainly would be appreciated by his franchise quarterback.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Speaking of All-Pro help, how about running back Ray Davis? The only First-Team selection from Buffalo didn\u2019t 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\u2019ve played better, as he gained 119 yards (29.8 average) on four kick returns, with the longest going for 34 yards.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t bad by any means but, in the biggest stage, the Bills need their best players playing at their absolute best, and in Ray\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n