Jaguars 25, Bills 20: Darious Williams and Mike Caldwell's Defense Show Out Yet Again

The Jaguars' defense put forth the most complete game any defense has had against Josh Allen this season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars battle with the Buffalo Bills was a big one for the “Duval Devout”. After dominating the Atlanta Falcons the previous week in London, the question posed was whether they could do the same against a top AFC team. 

In cardiac cat fashion, they passed the test with a 25-20 win.

The defense was asked to overcome a lot in today’s outing, with Josh Allen coming off of a game against the Miami Dolphins where the Buffalo offense put up 48 points where he threw for 320 yards with 84% completion and four touchdowns with one rushing as well. Three of those scoring completions went to top-flight wide receiver Stephon Diggs.

Led by the duo of Allen and Diggs, the Bills punted seven times all year before kickoff at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Jags’ defense forced them to punt six times in this contest. As the Bills attempted to come back late, there was a throw downfield that appeared to be an inevitable six for Diggs from Allen. That was until Jacksonville’s Darious Williams intervened with the only interception in the contest.

Not only did Willaims record his second interception in as many weeks, he led the team in tackles with seven. He also recorded a seventh pass defended on the year to put him among the top in the league in that category. To put a bow on all the Jaguars defensive back accomplished Sunday, Williams also forced Diggs to fumble which was recovered by Travon Walker to close out the victory.

While the Jacksonville offense put up 25 points for their second-highest point total on the year, 14 of those didn’t come until the final quarter. In the meantime, the offense had two fumbles and went 2-for-4 in the red zone while converting only three of the first nine third downs.

The defense holding off Buffalo so that the offense could show up like a calvary in a way that fans have been calling for all season was what helped secure what many are saying is the most significant win of Doug Pederson’s season.

While it would be fair to criticize the defense for giving up two touchdowns late to keep the Bills in the game, that would be because of another obstacle the defense had to overcome. While the Jags’ stat line shows no sacks with six quarterback hurries, there was a 3^rd and 1 sack that was turned into a first down by a controversial call from the officials.

While Jacksonville fans will take the wins in London, the team’s return to EverBank Stadium may have them posing the same question with a brighter backdrop – “What if this team could play a clean game?” If defense wins championships, it currently looks like they have that side of the ball secured.