The Buffalo Bills continued their strong start to the 2024 NFL season with a resounding 47-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night. Quarterback Josh Allen showcased his elite form, throwing four touchdown passes in the first half, and leading the Bills to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2020.
Buffalo’s offense was firing on all cylinders from the opening whistle. Allen went 22 of 28 for 247 yards in the first half, spreading the ball to nine different receivers and scoring on each of Buffalo’s first five drives. He finished the game 23 of 30 for 263 yards before being replaced by backup Mitchell Trubisky in the second half.
Allen’s precise passing led to four different Bills receivers finding the end zone. Rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid hauled in one of Allen’s touchdown passes, while Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Ty Johnson also contributed to the scoring barrage. Running back James Cook set the tone early with a 6-yard touchdown run, and by halftime, the Bills had built a commanding 34-3 lead.
The Buffalo defense was equally dominant, limiting Jacksonville to just 70 total yards and five first downs in the first half. The Jaguars, reeling from back-to-back losses, struggled to generate any consistent offensive rhythm. Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ quarterback, had a night to forget, going 21 of 38 for 178 yards with a lone touchdown and an interception. The interception was a highlight moment for Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who picked off Lawrence’s overthrown pass for his first career interception.
The game’s turning point came just before halftime, when Allen connected with Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown pass, putting the Bills up 34-3 and effectively sealing the outcome. Even when Jacksonville showed brief signs of life with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence to Brenton Strange to open the second half, Buffalo quickly snuffed out any comeback hopes.
Allen’s fourth touchdown pass was a 27-yard strike to Shakir, who caught the ball at the 22-yard line and broke two tackles along the right sideline to reach the end zone. Buffalo’s offense, which has now topped 30 points in each of their first three games, looks unstoppable heading into Week 4.
The win highlights Buffalo’s continued dominance in the AFC East, where they have claimed the division title four straight times under head coach Sean McDermott. The 3-0 start marks the third time since McDermott’s arrival in 2017 that the Bills have begun a season in such commanding fashion.
For Jacksonville, the loss only deepens their struggles. Now 0-3, the Jaguars appear to be in freefall. The team last started 0-3 in 2021 under former head coach Urban Meyer, and the pressure on head coach Doug Pederson is mounting. Trevor Lawrence, who voiced his frustration after last week’s 18-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns by stating “We suck right now,” is facing mounting criticism as his personal losing streak extends to eight games, dating back to last season.
The Jaguars’ defense failed to contain Buffalo’s explosive offense, and the offense could not keep pace. Lawrence’s final two drives of the game ended on downs, as Buffalo’s defense closed the door on any hope of a late Jaguars rally.
As the Bills look ahead to Week 4 Sunday Night Football against the Ravens with their confidence soaring, the Jaguars are left searching for answers as they face the Texans next Sunday.
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