Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars in an AFC Wild Card Round game at EverBank Stadium. Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Bills end 33-year playoff drought with road win over Jaguars

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 7:29 PM ET

Entering the 2025 NFL postseason, the Buffalo Bills hadn't won a road playoff game in a long time.

Buffalo last won a road playoff game during the 1992 season when they dismantled the Miami Dolphins 29-10 in that season's AFC Championship Game. On Sunday, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2025 Bills ended that 33-year drought.

How Bills ended the drought

The Bills beat the Jaguars 27-24 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Late in the fourth quarter, Buffalo's Josh Allen engineered a nine-play, 66-yard drive that ended with the quarterback rushing for a one-yard touchdown. On the ensuing drive, Bills safety Cole Bishop intercepted Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, sealing the victory.

Sunday's game marked the first road playoff win of Allen's eight-year career. It's important for Buffalo that the lack of postseason road wins no longer weighs on the QB's mind.

The Bills beat the Jaguars to secure their first road playoff win since the 1992 AFC Championship pic.twitter.com/8nnFxCtVyR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 11, 2026

The Bills earned the No. 6 seed in the AFC after failing to win the AFC East for the first time since the 2019 season. The New England Patriots, led by second-year QB Drake Maye (31 TD passes, No. 3 in the NFL), won the division instead, clinching the No. 2 seed. New England went 14-3 during the regular season, while Buffalo went 12-5.

The Bills wish they could host a playoff game at Highmark Stadium, which will no longer be their home during the 2026 season. But playing on the road throughout the postseason gives the team a chance to join rare company.

How Bills can join rare company

The Bills can become the fourth team to win a Super Bowl without playing a home game during the playoffs. The last was the Green Bay Packers during the 2010 season.

Green Bay featured QB Aaron Rodgers (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers). That postseason, he threw for 1,094 yards, nine touchdown passes and two interceptions. Allen could also go on an impressive run.

Allen, 29, tossed 25 TD passes during the regular season, tied for the ninth most in the NFL. Against Jacksonville, he threw for one TD and rushed for two.

Allen battled leg, hand and head issues in the victory over the Jaguars. However, he said he feels fine in a postgame news conference.

As long as Allen can play through pain, he gives the Bills an excellent chance to hoist their first Lombardi Trophy. They must continue to be road warriors to do so.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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