Buffalo Rumblings
Through three games, the NFL playoffs have delivered dramatic game after dramatic game. The Buffalo Bills advanced to the divisional round with a 27-24 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game that kept the drama going.
If you believe in the concept of momentum, here’s a recap of the back-and-forth nature of the game and the roller coaster of emotions that fans experienced:
Linebacker Shaq Thompson, who has filled in well for an injured Terrel Bernard when called upon this season, provided the first early spark with an interception to let the Bills take the first lead of the game. Emotion: okay, that’s good.
The Jags came back and gained three straight first downs on running plays to close out the first quarter before Brian Thomas Jr. caught a touchdown pass to help the Jaguars get their first lead of the game. Emotion: not ideal.
This lead would get built on immediately when First-Team All-Pro kick returner Ray Davis fumbled the ensuing kickoff and gave Jacksonville the ball on the Bills’ 36 yard line. Emotion: oh no.
But Buffalo’s defense rose up and prevented any points when quarterback Trevor Lawrence dove for the first down on 4th & 2 and a Sean McDermott challenge revealed that Lawrence had a shin down prior to reaching the line to gain. Emotion: whew.
The Bills matriculated the ball down the field and dealt with solid Jaguars tackling before a hole shot to maligned second-year receiver Keon Coleman allowed the Bills to get inside the 10 yard line. Two straight James Cook runs led to a third and goal from the Jags’ three yard line, where Josh Allen ran it in for a touchdown to cap a 92-yard drive. Emotion: we’re back.
Allen’s left knee got bent awkwardly on the touchdown run, but he continued his mantra of “it’s all gravy baby” and was quickly out of the blue medical tent and back commanding the Bills offense after a three and out from the Jaguars. The Bills had an opportunity to double dip and drive the ball down to the two minute warning. A Brandin Cooks catch that was reversed to a drop took a 26 yard gain off the board (and with it, a shot at a field goal at least) before a beautiful Mitch Wishnowsky punt put the Jaguars inside their own five yard line. Emotion: holding steady.
The Jaguars were gifted a field goal try by the referees after the clock appeared to strike 0:00 before Jacksonville got the snap off, but the NFL’s leader in longest field goal conversion missed the kick wide left. Emotion: furious, then relief.
The Bills got the ball to start the second half and moved it into Jacksonville territory. A Dawson Knox false start on third and five backed the Bills up, but a Shakir pass brought them back into long field goal range. Matt Prater, who had been dealing with a quad injury, nailed a 47-yarder through to help the Bills gain a...
