Cole Bishop’s Heroic Interception Sends Buffalo Bills to Divisional Round

Rising Star Makes Crucial Playoff Play

Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop came down with the interception to seal Buffalo’s 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on 11 January 2026, sending the team to the NFL Divisional Round. The second-year safety hauled in the game-sealing interception of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence with one minute remaining, punctuating what has been a remarkable breakthrough season for the young defender.

A Second-Year Transformation

Cole Bishop’s playoff heroics are the culmination of an impressive second season with the Bills. Bishop recorded 85 tackles (53 solo) including 2.0 sacks, seven passes defensed and three interceptions in 17 regular-season games with Buffalo in 2025. This represents a significant leap from his rookie campaign, where Bishop played only a minor role behind starters Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin after being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

He took over as a starter himself this year, and he ended up leading the Bills in both total tackles and interceptions, establishing himself as a key component of Buffalo’s defensive unit.

The Game-Winning Moment

The crucial interception wasn’t solely Bishop’s effort. The play was made by cornerback Tre’Davious White, who deflected the pass intended for Jakobi Meyers, allowing Bishop to secure the ball. After the game, Bishop demonstrated his team-first mentality, crediting the Bills’ collective approach to victory. Bishop credited Buffalo’s ‘dog mentality’ for the victory, which he claimed the team has embraced.

Looking Ahead

With this Wild Card victory secured, the Buffalo Bills advance to face their next opponent in the Divisional Round. Bishop’s emergence as a reliable defensive playmaker provides Buffalo with crucial depth and talent in their secondary as they pursue championship aspirations. His combination of athleticism, awareness, and clutch performance under pressure suggests the 23-year-old safety will continue to be instrumental in the Bills’ playoff run.