**Jaguars’ Missed Opportunity Costs Them Against Bills in AFC Wild Card**
In a pivotal AFC wild-card matchup on Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars faced the Buffalo Bills with a chance to extend their lead in the second quarter. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence attempted a crucial 4th-and-2 play, running to his left in hopes of reaching the first down marker. Initially, officials ruled that he had succeeded, but the Bills challenged the call. A review revealed that Lawrence was short of the necessary yardage, resulting in a turnover on downs.
This missed opportunity proved costly for Jacksonville, as they ended the drive without scoring. The Bills capitalized on the momentum shift, scoring on their subsequent drive to take a 10-7 lead.
Former Super Bowl champion T.J. Ward criticized the Jaguars’ decision to go for it on fourth down instead of opting for a field goal. He expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “I’m so sick of these coaches going for it on 4th down. Take the points. The points are more than just points. They keep your momentum going! And when you fail the attempt on 4th down, you give the other team a tremendous momentum boost. Football is not rocket science.”
Despite the setback, Jacksonville managed to drive down the field from their own 1-yard line, setting up a 54-yard field goal attempt before halftime. However, kicker Cam Little missed the attempt, pushing it just left of the goalposts.
At halftime, Lawrence had completed 9 of 15 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown to Brian Thomas Jr., along with 29 rushing yards on three carries. Meanwhile, Bills quarterback Josh Allen entered the locker room with 129 passing yards and 12 rushing yards, contributing a touchdown on the ground.
As the game progressed, the Jaguars’ decision-making and missed opportunities would continue to be a focal point in discussions surrounding their playoff performance.
**FAQ**
*What was the key moment in the Jaguars vs. Bills wild-card game?*
The key moment was the Jaguars’ failed 4th-and-2 attempt, which shifted momentum to the Bills, allowing them to score and take the lead.
