Big Cat Country
Did that really just happen?
As the dust has settled on the 2025-26 Jacksonville Jaguars season, it’s hard to imagine THAT is how it ends, in a Trevor Lawrence interception to seal a 27-24 home loss to the Buffalo Bills.
It’s been more than well-documented just how well the Jags had played to that point: winning the AFC South and clinching a home playoff game to cap an eight-game win streak to close the year. But Josh Allen is Josh Allen, after all, and he was just too much for the Jaguars’ defense to hold up against.
There were some fine players on Sunday but just as many that got exposed and picked on. These types of things happen when you play the likes of Allen and the Bills. It was a great and record-setting season, but it came up just a drive short when it mattered the most.
WINNERS
EverBank Stadium
Personally, I was not at the Chargers playoff game a few years back. This was my first playoff experience with the modern-day Jaguars but it was without a doubt the best environment in that stadium I have ever been a part of.
The energy around the stadium was incredible. Jags fans showed out and dwarfed the Bills contingency, and it was loud as hell all game long. Despite some of the backbreaking plays by the Bills, the Jags fandom was in that game from start to finish. It didn’t end quite the way we all would have liked, but this city and its fans showed up on Sunday.
If you build it, they will come. It seems that everyone is bought in on that from a fan perspective, with James Gladstone, Tony Boselli and Liam Coen in charge.
Parker Washington
It’s fitting that Parker Washington was the team’s no-doubter at WR1 on Sunday.
Washington led the Jags with 107 yards and a touchdown while catching seven balls. Travis Etienne caught all five of his targets but it was Washington who got a team-high 12 targets on the day. Etienne and Brenton Strange had the second most targets of any Jag but Washington’s target number tripled the four targets given to Jakobi Meyers. When faced with who to throw to, it was clear where Lawrence was going to go and it led to Washington finishing with the second-most receiving yards in a Jaguar playoff game ever.
Washington did miss some time with a concussion evaluation (dubious circumstances there) but did play through. I am also positive you have seen the video of Washington being over the top on Lawrence’s second interception. Oh, what could have been.
Washington played incredibly this season for a former sixth-rounder on a team with star receivers already. Three of his final games this year went for over 100 yards with three touchdowns to show for it.
If you’re reading this, Parker, you have my permission to take a day or two off from chopping wood and carrying water. You have earned it.
**Running Backs...
