FULL BOXSCORE

Grant Gordon’s main conclusions:

1. Allen provides spectacular programs on prime time. It may be way too early to start Most Valuable Player discussions. But don’t tell the Bills Mafia, who chanted “MVP! MVP” all Monday, until Josh Allen ran roughshod and took Buffalo for a complete beating of the Jaguars. Easily one of the most impressive individual and team performances for a club this young season, the Bills burst out of the blocks and never looked back with Allen leading the way. On the opening drive of the “game,” the Bills marched 70 yards in 10 plays with James Kok and capped it off with a 6-yard touchdown run. It was the first of five touchdown drives in the first half with Buffalo all having touchdown passes by Allen. Allen was 22 of 28 for 247 yards, four touchdowns, a 143.0 rating and 22 rushing yards — in the first half! Buffalo led 34-3 at halftime. There were still 30 minutes of playing time left, but this one — a true Allen masterpiece — was over by halftime. At this point, Allen and the undefeated Bills have shattered any perception that their Super Bowl window is closed.
2. Dark times for the Jaguars. In Jacksonville’s first two losses of the season, the Jaguars lost by a combined eight points. It was a bad start to the season, but they were in both games. Monday night, they were blown out right from kickoff. The defense was pummeled in every way possible, and perhaps the most problematic, at least from an optical standpoint, was the Trevor Lawrence-led offense couldn’t keep up with Josh Allen and Company. Despite receiving zero help, Lawrence was abysmal, completing 21 of 38 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown, one ugly interception, and a 65.5 rating. The Jaguars never made the playoffs after an 0-2 start, and since 1990, just four of 162 0-3 teams (2.5%) have made the postseason. These are not the best of times for Lawrence, once seen as a generational talent who would transform the franchise—or the Jaguars—after a deeply troubling Monday night.
3. Hamlin is back and then some. It was on a Monday night 630 days earlier that Damar Hamlin suffered one of the most terrifying injuries in NFL history, going into cardiac arrest during a game against the Bengals. Monday night was a celebration for Hamlin, as he hauled in his first career interception, picking off a poorly thrown Lawrence pass in the second quarter. Upon his return to the field for the 2023 season, Hamlin was rarely active, playing in just five games with two tackles on the campaign. Now, he remains an inspiration, but he’s also become a crucial part of the Bills’ defense, having started every game and racked up 18 tackles to date, along with a monumental INT. Hamlin’s story of perseverance has entered its most prosperous chapter on the field.
4. A story with two supporting roles. Think of all the concern and fuss about the Bills giving away their players. Stefon Diggs? Well, 10 Bills got a pass on Monday, with Khalil Shakir (six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown on Monday) establishing himself as Allen’s top wide receiver target and James Cook (87 scrimmage yards, TD) emerging as the offense’s No. 2 weapon behind Allen. Since Allen took over the under center position, he hasn’t had a running back play as critical a role as Cook. That’s a nod to Cook’s talents and offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s approach. Both have been crucial to Buffalo’s hot start. The opposite is true for the Jaguars. Thanks to garbage time, Travis Etienne for the first time this season, ran over 60 yards, and the promising trio of Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr. And Gabe Davis has been largely a disappointment, aside from a few flashy plays from the rookie first-rounder. Without an injured Evan Engram was also notable. Heavy is the helmet that wears the crown, and so it goes that Lawrence and head coach Doug Pederson must answer for the trials, but the wrestle bus is full of Jaguars.

Next Gen Stats Insight from Jaguars-Bills (via NFL Pro): In his first game against Bills QB Josh Allen since changing his name from Josh Allen to Josh Hines-AllenHines-Allen had just one QB pressure and a pressure percentage of 3.8%.

NFL Research: The Jaguars have lost eight straight games, the worst in the NFL, since last season. Trevor Lawrence has started every game and, along with Jim Plunkett, is the only quarterback drafted No. 1 in the Common Draft Era to have multiple losing streaks of eight or more games in their careers. Lawrence lost eight straight games as a rookie in 2021.