Buffalo Just Pulled Off a Shocker
So, you're looking for the final numbers from the latest Bills outing? Here is the deal: the Buffalo Bills beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24 in a Wild Card thriller that basically gave every fan in Western New York a minor heart attack. It happened this past Sunday, January 11, 2026, at EverBank Stadium.
If you just wanted the digits, there they are. But man, the score barely tells the story. This wasn't just another win. It was Buffalo's first road playoff victory in 33 years. Think about that. The last time the Bills won a postseason game on the road, the internet was barely a thing and "I Will Always Love You" was the number one song in America.
How the Scoring Actually Went Down
It was a see-saw. Honestly, it felt like neither team really wanted to pull away until the very end. The game was tight from the jump, with Matt Prater (yeah, the veteran kicker still has it) knocking through a 50-yarder to put Buffalo up 3-0 early.
Jacksonville answered back. Trevor Lawrence found Brian Thomas Jr. for a 3-yard score to make it 7-3. Then Josh Allen—who was essentially playing like a man possessed—plowed in for a 2-yard touchdown of his own.
By halftime, Buffalo held a slim 10-7 lead.
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The third quarter was a bit of a slog. Both teams traded field goals, and entering the fourth, Buffalo was hanging onto a 13-10 lead. That is when the wheels nearly came off. Trevor Lawrence hit Travis Etienne for a 14-yard touchdown, and suddenly the Jaguars were up 24-20 with only a few minutes left.
The Drive That Saved the Season
Down by four. Under four minutes to go. This is usually where Bills fans start looking for the nearest exit or a stiff drink. But Josh Allen looked at his huddle and supposedly told them, "I love you all. I got you."
Basically, he became a superhero.
The turning point was a massive 36-yard pass to Brandin Cooks on 3rd and 1 that moved the ball deep into Jaguars territory. But it was the "Josh Push"—Buffalo's version of the Tush Push—that really sealed it. On 4th and inches, Allen didn't just get the first down; he moved the entire pile nearly ten yards to the 1-yard line.
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He punched it in on the next play. 27-24 Bills.
What happened to the Jaguars?
Jacksonville had one last gasp. With a minute left, Lawrence tried to force a pass down the middle. It was tipped by Tre'Davious White—who, by the way, was playing his heart out against his former team—and landed right in the arms of safety Cole Bishop. Game over.
Key Stats You Should Know
- Josh Allen: 28 of 35 for 273 yards, 1 passing TD, 2 rushing TDs.
- Khalil Shakir: 12 catches for 82 yards. He was the safety valve all day.
- James Cook: 46 yards on 15 carries. Jacksonville's front seven really bottled him up.
- Trevor Lawrence: Threw for three touchdowns but that final interception was the dagger.
Why This Score Matters So Much
Look, the Bills have been "almost" there for years. This season, they finished 12-5, which is great, but they still ended up as the No. 6 seed. Going into Jacksonville—a place where they've historically struggled—and winning a gritty, ugly, beautiful game like this is a massive psychological hurdle.
They broke a road playoff losing streak that started back in 1992. That is heavy.
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Injuries to Watch
It wasn't all celebrations. The Bills lost S Jordan Poyer to a hamstring injury early in the third quarter. Also, WR Gabe Davis went down with a knee injury in the fourth and had to be carted off. Those are huge names to lose as the team heads deeper into January.
What is Next for the Bills?
Now that the what is the score of the buffalo bills football game question is settled, we look toward the Divisional Round.
Buffalo is headed to Denver. They'll play the No. 1 seed Broncos this coming Saturday, January 17, 2026. It’s a 4:30 PM kickoff on CBS.
The Broncos are coming off a bye and they are rested. Buffalo, on the other hand, is bruised and battered. But if Josh Allen plays like he did in Jacksonville, Denver is going to have their hands full.
Pro-Tip for Fans: If you are planning on betting or just tracking the next game, keep an eye on the injury report for Jordan Poyer and Gabe Davis. Their availability will drastically change the spread for the Denver game. Also, make sure your streaming setup is ready for Saturday—playoff games on a short week are always unpredictable. Keep an eye on the official Bills app for the most recent roster moves before they fly to Mile High.