Shockwaves in the Playoffs: 49ers Dethrone Eagles as Bills Edge Out Jags in Thrilling Showdowns

Nothing screams playoff drama quite like the San Francisco 49ers pulling off not just one, but two stunning comebacks in the final quarter to send the reigning champs, the Philadelphia Eagles, packing. It was supposed to be a home-field advantage party for the Eagles, the NFC’s third seed, but the sixth-seeded 49ers had other plans—sticking it to the favorites with a 23-19 shocker. Meanwhile, across the AFC, the underdog magic didn’t stop as the Buffalo Bills clawed back in the dying moments to top the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24, keeping quarterback Josh Allen’s Super Bowl dreams alive and kicking. With nail-biters decided in the last three minutes and margins razor-thin, this playoff weekend has already set the tone for an unforgettable NFL saga full of grit, heartbreak, and sheer will. Want to dive deeper into how these titanic clashes unfolded? LEARN MORE

The San Francisco 49ers came from behind twice in the final quarter to knock out defending champions Philadelphia as a thrilling NFL play-off series continues.

The Eagles were the NFC’s third seed so had home-field advantage for Wildcard Weekend but fell at the first hurdle as the sixth seed 49ers produced a 23-19 upset.

Earlier on Sunday, the AFC’s sixth seed also won on the road, with the Buffalo Bills claiming a late 27-24 win at third seed Jacksonville.

That kept alive Josh Allen’s hopes of reaching his first Super Bowl, with the NFL’s reigning Most Valuable Player having put the Bills back in front with one minute four seconds remaining.

San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey scored his second touchdown with 2:54 left, meaning the first four play-off games have been settled inside the final three minutes – with the winning margin no more than four points.

San Francisco’s trip to Pennsylvania meant a repeat of the AFC Championship game in 2023, when the Eagles denied 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy a Super Bowl appearance in his rookie season.

The 49ers set up the chance to avenge that defeat after reaching this season’s play-offs, despite a host of injuries, but they lost star tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles during the game as Purdy and their offence again struggled for most of the contest.

The Eagles also found the windy conditions challenging but two touchdowns by tight end Dallas Goedert helped them lead 16-10 heading into the final quarter.

San Francisco’s head coach Kyle Shanahan then dialled up a trick play in a bid to get his offence going and receiver Jauan Jennings made a 29-yard touchdown pass to McCaffrey.

Jennings’ only other career pass came in the 2024 Super Bowl and also led to a McCaffrey touchdown as the 49ers were beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Purdy’s second interception gave Philly the chance to edge in front with a field goal with eight minutes left but the 26-year-old bounced back to lead a game-winning drive, culminating with his second touchdown pass.

Although Philly did not concede any turnovers and had possession for 11 minutes more than San Francisco, the 49ers held on to book their spot in next week’s Divisional Round.

Allen keeps alive Super Bowl hopes

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is tackled against the Jacksonville Jaguars — Josh Allen’s eight play-off wins are the most by a quarterback to have not reached a Super Bowl [Getty Images]

Buffalo were the pre-season Super Bowl favourites but have had to hit the road in the play-offs having failed to retain the AFC East title, while Jacksonville won the AFC South after ending the regular season on an eight-game winning streak.

They played out a tight affair in Florida, with Buffalo leading 10-7 at half-time, then 13-10 heading into the fourth quarter, when the lead changed hands four times in a nail-biting finale.

The game turned into a quarterback shooutout, with the Jaguars’ former number one draft pick Trevor Lawrence making touchdown passes to Parker Washington and Travis Etienne, either side of a Josh Allen strike to Dalton Kincaid.

Allen then barged over for his second rushing touchdown, which proved decisive as on the first play of what could have been a game-winning drive for Jacksonville, a Lawrence pass was tipped into the arms of Buffalo safety Cole Bishop.

That clinched victory for the Bills, who are aiming to reach their first Super Bowl since 1994, and this could be the best chance yet for 29-year-old Allen to reach the NFL’s championship game.

Kansas City knocked Buffalo out in four of the past five years but the Chiefs have failed to reach this season’s play-offs.