Big Cat Country
The inaugural season for Liam Coen’s Jacksonville Jaguars ends in a packed EverBank Stadium as the visiting Buffalo Bills upset the upstart Jaguars 27-24. A game featuring an exciting, but excruciating four fourth quarter lead changes (the most in NFL history) resulted in Jacksonville’s second home loss of the season coming at the most inopportune time. Here’s everything you need to know from Jacksonville’s Wildcard home loss to the Bills.
Live blog:
Catch up on all the big plays and best moments from tonight’s game in our live blog!
Game Recap
With the game kicking off with punts by both offenses, Trevor Lawrence committed the game’s first turnover on Jacksonville’s second possession, throwing an interception to Bills LB Shaq Thompson at their own 40-yard line.
The Jacksonville defense held Buffalo to a 50-yard Matt Prater field goal to kick off the scoring, however. (Jaguars 0, Bills 3)
The Jacksonville ground game kicked up on the following drive, with explosive rushes of 20, 14, and 13-yards from RB Bhayshul Tuten on the 7 play, 65-yard, 3:40 drive, capped by a 3-yard Brian Thomas Jr touchdown reception. (Jaguars 7, Bills 3)
LeQuint Allen forced a diving fumble on the ensuing kickoff, coming in like a missile on returner Ray Davis, LeQuint’s second such kick return, diving fumble on the season. The fumble was recovered by LB Devin Lloyd.
However, the Jaguars were unable to score on the drive after unsuccessfully deciding to attempt to convert on fourth-and-two from the nine yard line. Buffalo subsequently drove 10-plays, 92-yards, with explosives of 36, 15, 12, and 11-yards with Jarrian Jones missed tackle on Keon Coleman resulting in the longest play.
Bills’ QB Josh Allen rushed the ball into the end zone from two yards out three plays later to regain the lead. (Jaguars 7, Bills 10)
The Jaguars’ offense struggled to get on the same page on the following drive, with back to back incompletions on second and third down. Lawrence’s second down pass may have gone for a touchdown, had it not been tipped at the line, with a subsequent third-down miscommunication between Parker Washington and Lawrence. However, Anthony Campanile’s unit forced a mid-field punt to give the offense an opportunity for points before the half, with 1:05 remaining and no timeouts. Following a Buffalo offsides with one second remaining, Cam Little was given an attempt to tie the game at the half. However, the NFL record holder missed the 54-yard attempt with no time remaining. (Jaguars 7, Bills 10)
Halftime Stats:
