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In a gritty performance marked by resilience and determination, Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills to a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, securing their first road playoff win in over 30 years. This AFC wild-card showdown on Sunday in Jacksonville saw Allen endure hits, deliver his own brand of punishment, and ultimately guide his team to triumph.
As the game approached its climax, with linebacker Devin Lloyd closing in, Allen connected with Brandin Cooks for a crucial 36-yard gain just before the two-minute warning. This play set the stage for Allen’s decisive 1-yard touchdown run, a moment made easier by Jacksonville’s decision to allow him to score.
One of the defining moments came just before Allen’s touchdown, when he demonstrated sheer willpower by gaining 10 yards on a quarterback sneak. Despite attempts to stop him, Allen refused to be brought down, pushing his way towards the goal line with defenders hanging on.
Throughout the game, Allen skillfully managed to keep Jacksonville’s formidable pass rush at bay by releasing the ball quickly. His precision and quick decision-making were evident as he completed 28 out of 35 passes, amassing 273 yards and a touchdown. Allen also showcased his mobility, running for two touchdowns, while avoiding turnovers and only being sacked once.
Focused on getting rid of the ball quickly and negating Jacksonville’s pass rush most of the game, Allen completed 28 of 35 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. He ran for two scores, was sacked just once and played turnover-free football.
It was necessary considering NFL rushing leader James Cook was mostly bottled up, finishing with 46 yards on 15 carries.
Buffalo (13-5) intercepted a deflected pass on Jacksonville’s final drive to seal the victory. The Jaguars (13-5) took the lead with 4:03 to play but couldn’t hold it against Allen.
The Bills had been 0-5 on the road in the playoffs under coach Sean McDermott, starting with a 10-3 loss at Jacksonville in the 2017 wild-card round. The Bills had dropped eight consecutive postseason games on the road since winning at Miami in the 1992 AFC championship game. It had been the NFL’s second-longest, active road playoff skid.
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