The Patriots and Bills entered their week 16 matchup with everything on the line. If the Patriots won, they would wear hats and shirts labeled AFC East Champions. However, if the Bills won, they would seize the lead in the division based on a better divisional record. Both teams had key players unavailable due to Covid protocol but there are no excuses at this time of the year. The Bills won this game because Josh Allen was the best player on the field, and his dual-threat ability to pass or run tormented the Patriots’ defense. Despite his dominance, the Patriots crawled back into at a 26-21 scoreline but Allen sealed the game with a brilliant touchdown drive that included several conversions to end all hopes. In this article, we discuss the five major takeaways from a Patriots perspective coming out of the game.
1. Where was the elite defense? – the backbone of this team is their defense and forcing turnovers. The Patriots had the only two turnovers of the game which means more possession for the opposition. The Patriots have succeeded when they force the other team to make mistakes. The Pats have played seven games in which they have forced at least two turnovers, and they are 6-1 in those contests. On the other hand, the team is 3-5 in the games where the opponent turns it over just once, or not at all. JC Jackson had the big opportunity to get a turnover deep in the fourth on an errant pass by Allen to Diggs but dropped the potential game-changing interception. The defense failed to sack or put pressure on Allen giving him time to pick out his receivers or gaps to run the ball. Allen completed the game going 30/47 301 yards, three touchdowns, and had 64 yards rushing. The Patriots’ defense needs to be aggressive and predatory to make a run into the playoffs and win.
2. Lost the game on 3rd down- whether you convert 3rd down on offense or stop the opposition on defense often determines who will win football games. The Patriots were atrocious on 3rd down on offense by going 1 for 10, indicative of a disjointed performance on offense. On the other hand, the Bills converted 6 of 12 chances on third down and let the time of possession be 35:24 minutes in favor of the Bills. The Patriots usually win those high leverage moments on 3rd down, and Belichick will be chewing out his squad to get it right.
3. Mac Jones struggles- Jones struggled in this matchup, and for the second consecutive game, his slow start ended up costing his team. He completed 14 of 32 for 145 yards and two interceptions. Jones looked overwhelmed, flustered, and missed on his throws in the first half leading to a 17-7 deficit at the half. In the second half, he played better, and along with Damien Harris brought the team back within 5 points. These two games proved Mac is still a rookie but he has shown resiliency. However, he needs to get his team off to a better start in these games and get ahead on the scoreboard.
4. Receivers were thoroughly outplayed-Isaiah Mckenzie, and Trevon Diggs combined for 19 catches and 210 yards to pace the Bills to victory. Mckenzie made a couple of brilliant catches as Cole Beasley’s replacement in the game. Jakobi Myers’ had six catches in the game but the other Patriots’ receivers failed to deliver. The lack of a dynamic number one receiver was glaring. N’keal Harry lost goodwill among fans with a horrible drop catch before Mac Jones’ first interception. Josh McDaniels needs to figure out how to get Jonnu Smith involved in the passing and running game as an x-factor to take this offense to another level.
5. Lost the battle but win the war-the Patriots won round one earlier this season while the Bills just won round two on Sunday. However, the two teams are projected based on computer models to be the most likely matchup in the wild card round of the playoffs. I think the Patriots would relish the underdog role and go to Buffalo to end their season. The weather in upstate New York could swing things in the Patriots’ favor. Despite the win, Allen had to be Superman to win this game, and the Patriots still ran the ball effectively without Rhamondre Stevenson. The Patriots may have lost this battle but may ultimately win the war.
Up next-Jacksonville Jaguars at home.