All eyes were on EverBank Stadium this Sunday as the Buffalo Bills traveled south to take on the surging Jacksonville Jaguars in the opening wild-card round of the AFC playoffs. It’s a matchup that not only pits two of the AFC’s most dynamic quarterbacks against each other but also tells the tale of two franchises at pivotal crossroads in their seasons. For Buffalo, it’s a rare road start to the postseason, while Jacksonville is riding high after a historic turnaround under first-year head coach Liam Coen.
The Jaguars’ transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Just one year ago, Jacksonville finished a dismal 3-14. Fast forward to 2026, and they’ve flipped the script with a 13-4 record, clinching their first AFC South title since 2022 and marking the second-most wins in franchise history. Coen’s arrival seems to have sparked something special, particularly in quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who’s showing the kind of poise and playmaking that could carry the Jaguars deep into January.
Buffalo, meanwhile, finds itself in an unfamiliar spot. After finishing second in the AFC East—thanks to New England’s first division crown since 2019—the Bills are forced to take the long road if they want to reach their first Super Bowl since the 1990s. That means multiple road games, starting here in Jacksonville, where the crowd was buzzing and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Kickoff arrived at 1 p.m. ET, with CBS’s Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, and Tracy Wolfson providing the national call. For fans unable to watch on TV, streaming options included Paramount+, NFL Sunday Ticket, and NFL+, while Bills fans across New York and Pennsylvania tuned in on a sprawling radio network.
From the first whistle, both teams looked ready to seize the moment. The Bills wasted no time making their presence felt, with quarterback Josh Allen orchestrating a crisp opening drive. Allen, who came into the game with 39 total touchdowns (25 passing, 14 rushing) and 3,668 passing yards on the season, looked in command. Yet, penalties—a holding call on Tyrell Shavers and a false start on Jackson Hawes—stalled their early momentum, forcing Buffalo to settle for a 50-yard Matt Prater field goal. The veteran kicker, now in his 19th season, proved he’s still got it, giving the Bills a 3-0 lead.
Jacksonville responded with a sense of urgency. Lawrence, showing off his improved decision-making, pushed the Jaguars into Buffalo territory. But the Bills’ defense, led by Shaq Thompson, made a statement. On a key play, Lawrence targeted Parker Washington over the middle, but his throw was slightly behind, and Thompson stepped in for the interception. Buffalo took over at the Jaguars’ 33, but the Jaguars’ defense held firm, preventing the Bills from capitalizing on the turnover.
The first half was a chess match, with both teams trading punches and neither able to deliver a knockout blow. The Jaguars’ offense, which had been so explosive during the regular season, faced stiff resistance from Buffalo’s front seven. Yet, Coen’s aggressive play-calling kept the Bills guessing. On a critical fourth-and-2, Lawrence scrambled up the middle, appearing to get the first down. But after a replay review, officials ruled his knee was down short of the marker, giving the ball back to Buffalo deep in their own territory.
Buffalo’s offense, undeterred, began to find its rhythm. Allen completed 11 of his first 12 passes for 110 yards, mixing in a few designed runs to keep the defense honest. A highlight came when Allen connected with Keon Coleman for a 36-yard strike, moving the Bills into the red zone. The drive culminated in a 92-yard, 10-play march, capped by an Allen rushing touchdown. He briefly grabbed his knee after the score, but after a quick evaluation, he returned to the sideline looking no worse for wear.
Jacksonville, however, refused to fold. Lawrence found Parker Washington for a 34-yard gain, setting up a late-half field goal attempt. In a wild sequence, the Bills were flagged for offsides with one second left, giving Jaguars kicker Cam Little a shot from 54 yards. The attempt sailed wide left as time expired, leaving the home crowd groaning in disbelief.
The second half opened with more drama. On the kickoff, Buffalo’s Ray Davis was hit hard by Montaric Brown, fumbling the ball. Devin Lloyd pounced on the loose pigskin, giving Jacksonville prime field position. The Jaguars threatened, but Buffalo’s defense clamped down once again, forcing a punt after a key incompletion to Washington. The Bills’ special teams shined, with punter Mitch Wishnowsky pinning the Jaguars at their own 3-yard line—a masterclass in field position warfare.
Replay reviews continued to play a major role. A 26-yard catch by Brandin Cooks, which would have put Buffalo deep into Jaguars territory, was overturned after it was ruled the ball hit the ground. On the very next series, Lawrence’s clutch scramble on third-and-12 set up another fourth-down decision for Coen, who kept his foot on the gas but ultimately came up short after another review.
Both teams’ defenses showed up when it mattered most. The Bills, so often defined by their high-flying offense, leaned on their ability to create turnovers and limit big plays. The Jaguars, rejuvenated under Coen, matched them blow for blow, with Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd making key stops to keep the game within reach.
Fans watching at home, whether on CBS, streaming, or listening in on the radio, couldn’t ask for more drama. Each possession felt like it could tip the balance, and both Allen and Lawrence looked every bit the franchise quarterbacks their teams needed. With Jacksonville seeking their first playoff win since their 2017 AFC title game run and Buffalo desperate to end their Super Bowl drought, the tension was palpable.
As the clock wound down, the game remained in the balance. Would Allen’s postseason experience give Buffalo the edge? Or would Coen’s Jaguars, fueled by a city hungry for playoff glory, pull off another statement win in their magical turnaround season? With both teams trading haymakers and neither willing to blink, this wild-card clash looks poised to go down to the wire.
With the action ongoing and every snap carrying enormous weight, fans across the NFL landscape remain glued to their screens and radios. Whoever emerges victorious from EverBank Stadium will have earned every inch—and the rest of the AFC has been put on notice.
