Last Updated on January 21, 2026 7:18 am by admin
The Jacksonville Jaguars walked off the field against Buffalo with a new feeling. The Wild Card loss ended their season, but it didn’t feel like a collapse. And importantly, getting to that stage didn’t feel like a fluke either. The Jaguars are in a different place than they were a few years ago. Their standards have changed.
What the Jaguars proved about themselves
Over the past two seasons, Jacksonville has moved from rebuilding to relevant. Making the playoffs highlighted their progress. In the 2024 season, the Jags won just four games and fired head coach Doug Pederson in January 2025. This season’s experience will change how the team sees itself.
The Wild Card loss reminded fans that they’re not finished products. But it suggested that playoff appearances shouldn’t be treated as a surprise bonus. They’re part of a new standard. Their Jaguars were among the season’s biggest stories as they went 13-4, surprising many fans and bettors. Ahead of the new NFL season, fans can use tools like the Betstamp app to compare odds at different sportsbooks.
A difficult defeat
The Jaguars didn’t enter the postseason as favorites. They expected to compete. That expectation framed how the Wild Card defeat landed with players, coaches, and fans. The Jags had moments where they looked capable of pushing the Bills. But there were also moments where small errors became decisive.
Tight margins are what define playoff teams that stick around. The Jaguars were not overwhelmed by the stage. They were outplayed in specific situations, especially late. But they looked competitive, and when a team knows it belongs, the pain of losing often sharpens their focus. Head coach Liam Coen said he wasn’t sure what to say after the players because he hadn’t planned a post-season talk. But he told reporters that he hoped the Jaguars had set a standard to compete at the highest level.
Trevor Lawrence and a changing group
After the game, quarterback Trevor Lawrence said it “sucks” that the Jaguars won’t have another chance with that roster. A lot of things will stay the same next season, he said, but it won’t be the exact same group of players. The Jags currently have no first-round pick. That goes to the Cleveland Browns.
Lawrence said he wished they’d made a “couple more plays” to keep their season going, but accepted the harsh reality of the playoffs.
The Bills scored with about 1:05 left on the clock, after the Jaguars had previously led 24-20. The Jaguars then had a late chance to tie, but Lawrence misplaced a pass and it was game over.
Coen’s records
Coen’s first season at the Jaguars matched that of Doug Pederson and Doug Marrone. Coen also became a new NFL first head coach to win 13 games or more after his team won four or fewer the previous year.
The head coach said he’d try to continue setting standards and encouraging players to put the team first. He hoped to move forward next season with greater mental and physical toughness.