Jaguars-Bills Playoff Showdown One of 2025's Best Games

The Jacksonville Jaguars' narrow loss to the Buffalo Bills was ranked as the 10th best game of the 2025 NFL season.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Jacksonville Jaguars had a memorable 2025 season, but their most memorable game was a narrow 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card playoff game. The game was ranked as the 10th best of the 2025 season by NFL.com, with Bills quarterback Josh Allen leading his team to victory despite a strong effort from the Jaguars' defense.

Why it matters

The Jaguars-Bills playoff matchup was a classic elimination game that showcased the outsized impact of elite quarterback play in the NFL. Despite the Jaguars' impressive regular season and home-field advantage, they couldn't stop Bills QB Josh Allen, who led his team to victory with his arm and legs.

The details

The Jaguars had their chances to win the game, including a failed fourth-down rush attempt by Trevor Lawrence and a missed field goal at the end of the first half. But Allen played a "clean, lethal brand of football," completing 80% of his passes for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing scores. The game featured multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter, creating a "fourth-quarter roller coaster" that ultimately ended with Lawrence's last-minute interception.

  • The Jaguars-Bills playoff game took place on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

The players

Josh Allen

The Buffalo Bills quarterback and reigning NFL MVP who led his team to victory despite multiple injuries.

Trevor Lawrence

The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback who had his last-minute interception seal the loss for his team.

Liam Coen

The Jacksonville Jaguars head coach.

Sean McDermott

The Buffalo Bills head coach.

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What they’re saying

“Jacksonville entered this showdown with an eight-game winning streak, a more well-rounded roster and home-field advantage, but Buffalo held the ultimate trump card: Josh Allen.”

— Gennaro Filice (NFL.com)

“Facing a takeaway-happy Jags D that had yielded a league-low 14.5 points per game over the final eight weeks of the regular season, Allen played a clean, lethal brand of football, completing 80 percent of his passes for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding two more scores with his legs.”

— Gennaro Filice (NFL.com)

“And this contest wasn't just great because of Allen's individual excellence -- it was a classic elimination game full of twists, turns and emotional swings.”

— Gennaro Filice (NFL.com)

What’s next

The Jaguars will look to build on their successful 2025 season and make another playoff push in 2026.

The takeaway

The Jaguars-Bills playoff showdown demonstrated the outsized impact of elite quarterback play in the NFL, as Josh Allen's performance led the Bills to victory despite a strong effort from the Jaguars' defense. The game was a classic elimination contest that featured multiple lead changes and emotional swings, cementing its status as one of the best games of the 2025 season.