By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
(Photo courtesy Buffalo Bills)
JACKSONVILLE – Unfortunately for the Jaguars, they didn’t have any Kryptonite to weaken Superman.
That is, Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen.
It was the prevailing feeling in the hearts of the majority of the 70,000 in attendance at EverBank Stadium despite some second-half heroics from Trevor Lawrence.
In a showdown of two presumed elite quarterbacks, Allen donned the blue cape when many thought Lawrence would.
Allen did, however, have a great, all-around afternoon with the superb play of their offensive line as well as a bend-but-don’t break defense that helped pull it all together in a 27-24 Wild Card victory.
It was poised to be Lawrence’s crowning moment, as his stellar play over the last eight games – winning most of the eight and nine of his last 10 in a convincing fashion -was to be topped with his first playoff victory in front of the Bank faithful.
Instead, it was Allen who stole the show, dinking and dunking his passes through the Jags’ defense for 28 completions from 35 attempts for 273 yards and a passing touchdown. He was also able to plow his way over for a pair of rushing touchdowns to culminate a three-touchdown banner afternoon.
Allen provided a complete picture of his usual grittiness and gusto, making two trips to the blue tent for possible concussion and head injuries in the opening half. He apparently suffered a bloodied ear on one visit and returned to play.
The anticipated showdown between the two turned out to be a teacher-student teacher situation. Lawrence reverted back to his past inconsistencies after he appeared ready to join the seasoned quarterback classroom.
Allen benefitted from his protection giving him ample time to throw, as the Jags could only sack him once.
Jacksonville’s defense didn’t have any answers to stop Khalil Shakir, who caught 12 passes for 91 yards, and tight end Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid, who were equally effective with three catches apiece.
As for Lawrence, he recovered from a sluggish first half in which he couldn’t find his rhythm and was the victim of some inconsistent playcalling.
The Jags trailed only 10-7 in the opening half in spite of throwing for only 51 yards and failing to convert a fourth-and-two (a reversible call) that could have been easily converted a chip-shot field goal. He also threw a bad interception in the opening quarter that led to a Bills’ field goal.
On the other hand, Allen was sharp, hitting 14 of 17 for 129 yards.
Yet, Lawrence did recover and show how he has been a rising star over the last two months when he delivered two beautifully placed touchdown passes to Parker Washington and Travis Etienne, the latter that pushed the Jags ahead 24-20 with just over four minutes left to play.
But it would be Allen who recaptured the moment again, engineering a game-winning, nine-play, 66-yard march in just under three minutes with 1:02 left in the game.
Ironically, Lawrence’s first play on a last-minute effort to either tie or win the game resulted in another bad interception that deafened a raucous home crowd all afternoon.
A stunned silence embarked the Bank, and Lawrence’ stepping-out season was abruptly over. It was his third playoff game and his worst one.
Allen’s 14th overall one, and he again played a solid game like he has many times in the past. Still, his overall record in the postseason is 7-6 and without an AFC championship game victory.
Even though this afternoon belonged to Allen, there are plenty of signs that Lawrence will soon have his share.
