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Bills' oldest defenders post highest grades in playoff win over Jaguars

Buffalo's top PFF grades came from two of its oldest contributors on defense
Khari Demos|
Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and Buffalo Bills' linebacker Shaq Thompson (45).
Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and Buffalo Bills' linebacker Shaq Thompson (45). | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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When things mattered most for the Buffalo Bills in their Wild Card win, it was a pair of grizzled vets that led the way.

The Bills are advancing to the AFC divisional round after knocking off the Jacksonville Jaguars. On the field, it looked like superb performances for both Tre'Davious White and Shaq Thompson. The two ageless vets showed up well numbers-wise, too, as the two were listed as Buffalo's highest-graded defenders for their showings in Jacksonville.

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White was excellent in coverage, as he posted three passes defended, in addition to two tackles. Thompson was the Bills' leading tackler in the game, as he totaled eight stops (six solo), a pass defended and one of two Buffalo interceptions in the win.

The performances were even more impressive considering the fact that Thompson and White are two of the Bills' oldest defensive starters. Thompson, 31, has found a fountain of youth in 2025, playing in at least 12 games for the first time since 2022. He finished the year as Buffalo's highest-rated linebacker, posting a PFF grade of 64.8.

"Shaq knows what it's supposed to look like," said Bills' defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to the media on Tuesday. "At minimum, what the expectations are."

White, who will be 31 the day before the divisional game in Denver, has also been a revelation this season. After battling injuries and bouncing from the Rams and Ravens in the past few years, the former All-Pro has found himself back at home in Buffalo.

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"Tre White's playing pretty good football right now. Pretty dang good football," said Babich. "He's been able, in this season, to get himself in a rhythm because he hasn't had to deal with a whole lot of things, and that's a credit to him."

Hopefully, White and Thompson can continue to find the fountain of youth here in the Bills' playoff run.

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Khari Demos
KHARI DEMOS

Khari Demos is an award-winning sports media creator and is a contributor for Bills On SI. He has written sports betting article covering the NFL for The Athletic and has written pieces about the NBA, MLB, college football and basketball, and more, throughout his career.