Rubber Match!: Previewing the Wild Card Matchup between the Patriots and Bills

After 18 wild weeks of football, it is finally time for the NFL playoffs to begin! The Patriots will make their return to the postseason after last year’s 7-9 finish, and will open against the hated Buffalo Bills (11-6) on Saturday. Interestingly, this will be the third matchup between the two teams in the last 40 days. After splitting the season series, it is time for the rubber match!

Here’s what to expect during this Wild Card matchup.

1. Can the Patriots protect Mac Jones?

The two regular season matchups against Buffalo were wildly different experiences for Mac Jones. In the first matchup, he was only asked to throw the ball 3 times, and he competed 2 of them during the 14-10 victory. In the second matchup, Buffalo got after him early and often, as the rookie struggled during the 33-21 loss. The Bills have a stingy and savvy defense, led by stalwarts such as Matt Milano, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde, who can make life incredibly difficult for a quarterback. If the Patriots want to have any semblance of success, they need to be able to give Jones a clean pocket, and hope that their pass-catchers can get separation downfield. Hence, it is imperative that they attempt to establish the run, which they were able to do during the two earlier matchups. Doing so can help with play-action, and could result in lighter coverages in the secondary. If Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson can get going, it would definitely serve as a catalyst to the rest of the offense. In that vein, the Patriots need to hope that the return of Nelson Agholor will help boost their vertical passing game, as opposing defensive backs will need to respect his speed down the field. Agholor missed the second matchup against Buffalo, when the Patriots clearly struggled to gain downfield separation. All in all, establishing the run could boost New England’s passing game, and also help keep Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense on the sideline.

Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald

2. Can the defense contain Josh Allen?

Just like Mac Jones, Josh Allen had two different experiences when these teams squared off. He missed a few key throws during Buffalo’s loss, but dominated the Patriots in Foxborough a couple weeks later. Allen’s dynamic abilities were on full display in Week 16, as he diced the Patriots up using his arm and legs. It is imperative that the Patriots keep Allen in the pocket if they want to ensure success. If he is able to break contain, that could prove fatal for New England, as it would enable his receivers to get open down the field. Buffalo does not have the most physically-imposing run game, but Allen’s presence means that a mere scramble could result in a 25-yard carry. Stefon Diggs has had his fair share of success against the Patriots in recent memory, and will likely draw the attention of JC Jackson throughout the game. Even if Diggs does not break free, the Patriots should be wary, as proven by Isaiah McKenzie’s brilliant performance in Week 16. With Cole Beasley back in the lineup, along with Emmanuel Sanders, the Patriots defense will likely have its hands full on Saturday.

The Patriots will need to ensure that the Bills do not get off to a hot start, as a comeback victory is likely not feasible with their style of offense.

Omar Rawlings / Getty Images

3. Injury Report

Patriots

• Jamie Collins (ankle) – Questionable
• Cody Davis, Wrist – Questionable
• Kyle Dugger, Hand – Questionable
• Nick Folk, Left Knee – Questionable
• Lawrence Guy, Shoulder – Questionable
• Damien Harris, Hamstring – Questionable
• Dont’a Hightower, Knee – Questionable
• Brandon King, Toe – Questionable
• Jakobi Meyers, Thigh – Questionable
• Adrian Phillips, Knee – Questionable
• Christian Barmore, Knee – Questionable
• Isaiah Wynn, Hip/Ankle – Questionable
• David Andrews, Shoulder – Questionable

Bills

• No players listed

4. What’re they wearing?

Courtesy of the Gridiron Uniform Database

5. Prediction

The Patriots have matched up well against Buffalo this season, but this trip may feature too much for them to handle against a very talented Bills team.

Bills 28, Patriots 17

(Top photo: Courtesy of the New England Patriots)

Pats’ D overcomes sloppy offensive performance to put away the Bills!

TEAM	1	2	3	4	T
BUF	0	3	7	0	10
NE	13	0	3	0	16

The Patriots’ defense came to play yesterday, as they were able to shake off a dreadful day by Tom Brady and the offense, en route to a 16-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills (3-1). This victory improved the Pats to 4-0 on the season, and moved them into first place in the AFC East.

Here are some takeaways from yesterday’s victory.

1. Another defensive masterpiece!

Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo have delivered a consistently dominant defense over the last month, and yesterday was no different, as the Pats limited Buffalo to 10 points, and had 4 interceptions (along with 2 forced fumbles). Even though the defense gave up their first touchdown of the season, they constantly befuddled second-year quarterback Josh Allen with their coverage, and forced him into throwing 2 interceptions in the first quarter. Allen eventually got settled in during the third quarter, as he led Buffalo down the field for a touchdown. But the Pats were able to dissipate his confidence when they intercepted him on another deep ball. Allen ultimately finished the game with 153 passing yards and 3 interceptions, and was neutralized as a rushing threat, as he mustered a mere 26 yards. However, Allen’s last play in the game was draped with controversy, as he got knocked in the head by Jonathan Jones while trying to break free from Duron Harmon. There’s no disputing the fact that it was a helmet-to-helmet hit, but Jones didn’t have any malicious intent, and replays even showed that Allen led with his head, which initiated the contact. At the end of the day, the NFL does need to protect its players, so Jones will likely receive a hefty fine, but his actions did not mandate an ejection, even though Buffalo’s players and coaches insisted that it did.

Here is an explanation of the ruling from the NFL’s VP of Officiating, Al Riveron.

VP of Officiating Al Riveron on why J. Jones wasn't ejected: "Well, we looked at it and in this situation, we didn’t feel that that contact rose to the level of an ejection. The player actually turns. Obviously, there is helmet contact, but we have standards for an ejection."

— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) September 29, 2019

After Allen’s exit, Matt Barkley took over for the Bills, and it appeared as if he could lead the Bills to victory, but the Pats defense had a crucial stop on the goal-line on one of Buffalo’s final drives, and forced him into a game-sealing interception with under 2 minutes to play.

Even though the defense was spectacular (with JC Jackson, Devin McCourty, and Kyle Van Noy especially shining), they do have some kinks to iron out, as they gave up over 100 rushing yards, and had several penalties in the second half which allowed Buffalo to extend drives.

(Adrian Kraus/AP)

2. The offense was absolutely dreadful

The Pats’ offense was very lucky to escape with a win yesterday, as they struggled to put together drives throughout the game. Other than their touchdown drive in the first quarter, Tom Brady was uncharacteristically off-rhythm, and struggled to connect with his receivers. Some of Brady’s struggles can be attributed to a putrid performance by the offensive line, which struggled to give Brady time to survey the field and find open receivers. Brady’s lack of mobility was evident yesterday, as his attempts to scramble out of the pocket did more harm than good, with his head-scratching interception at the goal line in the second quarter being a prime example. If not for James White, the Pats’s offense probably could have been held out of the end zone, as his 26-yard wheel route in the first quarter sparked their lone touchdown. White was Brady’s security blanket, and caught 8 of his 10 targets for 57 yards. Following three energizing performances, Phillip Dorsett struggled mightily, as he caught 2 of his 9 targets for 10 yards. Josh Gordon (3 receptions for 46 yards) and Julian Edelman (4 receptions for 30 yards) were clearly gimpy, and struggled to separate from Buffalo’s defenders.

The Pats’ ground game was slightly more effective, as they were able to gain 74 yards off of 23 carries, but the absence of James Develin clearly appears to be affecting the explosiveness of Sony Michel, who averaged 3.7 yards per carry.

The Pats’ offense should be eternally grateful for the dominance of their defense, as they were able to win despite the fact that Buffalo out-gained them by 150 yards and had 12 more first downs. Granted, their struggles can be attributed to the terrific game-plan by Sean McDermott and the Bills, but continuing to play like this will doom them against better opponents.

(Photo via NESN)

3. Another mixed bag for special teams

Stephen Gostkowski missed yet another extra point yesterday, bringing his total to 4 after four weeks of action. Gostkowksi’s job doesn’t appear to be in danger, but the team has to hope that he overcomes his slump soon, as they cannot afford a missed kick or two during an important game down the line (as evidenced by their loss during the 2016 AFC Championship Game in Denver).

On the other hand, Matthew Slater scored his first career touchdown, following a blocked punt by JC Jackson, which gave the Pats a 13-0 lead in the first quarter.

(Photo via USA Today)

Statistical Leaders:

Patriots

• Passing: Tom Brady – 18/39 for 150 yards, and 1 interception
• Rushing: Sony Michel – 17 carries for 63 yards
• Receiving: James White – 8 receptions for 57 yards
• Defensive: Kyle Van Noy – 8 tackles (including 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles)

Bills

• Passing: Josh Allen – 13/28 for 153 passing yards, and 3 interceptions
• Rushing: Frank Gore – 17 carries for 109 yards
• Receiving: Cole Beasley – 7 receptions for 75 yards
• Defensive: Tremaine Edmunds – 11 tackles

 

What’s next?: The Pats head down to Washington D.C. to take on the winless Redskins (0-4), who still haven’t named their starting quarterback for the game (they could be led by Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, or their first round pick, Dwayne Haskins).

Heading up North!: Will the Pats knock off the undefeated Bills?

It’s not too often that the Patriots are tied with another team in the AFC East after three weeks of action, which is why tomorrow’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills (3-0) is extremely intriguing, as the victorious team will take first place in the division. The Pats haven’t lost in Buffalo since the 2011 season, which ironically also occurred in Week 4, with both teams being undefeated at the time.

Here are some things to consider entering this Week 4 contest.

1. What will the offense look like?

The Patriots’ offense has changed dramatically over the last few weeks, due to the addition and subsequent release of Antonio Brown, and the injuries sustained by offensive linemen Marcus Cannon & Isaiah Wynn, and fullback James Develin. In addition, Week 3’s game against the Jets tested the limits and versatility of the Pats’ receiving corps, with Julian Edelman getting knocked out of the game with a chest injury. Luckily for the Pats, Edelman was able to make the trip to Buffalo, and is expected to play. As this is only Week 4, having Edelman sit out wouldn’t be the worst idea, as another injury could jeopardize the team’s chances of contending down the line. If Edelman does play, I’d still expect the Pats to be cautious with his number of snaps, which would likely expand the importance of Josh Gordon and Phillip Dorsett in the offense.

Another important focus for the Pats should be ensuring the success of Sony Michel and the ground game. Michel hasn’t had the greatest start to the season, and the absence of Develin wasn’t exactly helpful for him against the Jets. If the Pats are able to sustain their running game, they can take pressure off of Tom Brady, and keep the Bills off balance with a well-balanced offensive attack.

The Bills’ defense has been stingy thus far, which means the Patriots will need to have a great offensive performance to emerge victorious tomorrow.

(Photo via USA Today)

2. Can the defense contain Josh Allen?

Josh Allen is one of the most perplexing quarterbacks in the NFL, as he has flashed brilliance with his ability to throw and run, while also displaying a great deal of recklessness with the football. Looking at Allen’s highlights so far, it’s fair to say that one of his greatest assets is his ability to run the ball, as it forces opposing defenses to keep an eye on him at all times. I believe that the Patriots’ key to victory will be bottling up the Bills’ running game, and putting the ball in Josh Allen’s hands. Allen has struggled with accuracy down the field, which plays right into the Pats’ hands, due to their excellent secondary. In addition, forcing Allen to throw a lot would enable Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo to dial up the pass rush on the young quarterback. If Allen becomes rattled, he may throw some ill-advised throws, which could lead to takeaways for the defense.

Getting after Josh Allen would go a long way in ensuring another successful outing for the Patriots’ defense.

(Photo via the Democrat & Chronicle)

Injury Report:

Patriots

• Michael Bennett (shoulder) – Questionable
• Rex Burkhead (foot) – Questionable
• Nate Ebner (groin) – Questionable
• Julian Edelman (chest) – Questionable
• Marshall Newhouse (illness) – Questionable
• Dont’a Hightower (shoulder) – Questionable
• Matt LaCosse (ankle) – Questionable

Bills

• Tyler Kraft (ankle) – Out
• Corey Thompson (ankle) – Out
• Maurice Alexander (knee) – Questionable
• Jon Feliciano (neck) – Questionable
• Robert Foster (groin) – Questionable
• Taron Johnson (hamstring) – Questionable
• Spencer Long (ankle) – Questionable
• Isaiah McKenzie (ankle) – Questionable
• Devin Singletary (hamstring) – Questionable

 

Prediction: Patriots 24, Bills 13

Here are my picks for the rest of the NFL’s Week 4 games (excluding Thursday Night Football).

Last week: 10-5

Redskins at Giants: Giants

Chiefs at Lions: Chiefs

Titans at Falcons: Falcons

Browns at Ravens: Ravens

Raiders at Colts: Colts

Panthers at Texans: Texans

Chargers at Dolphins: Chargers

Buccaneers at Rams: Rams

Seahawks at Cardinals: Seahawks

Vikings at Bears: Bears

Jaguars at Broncos: Jaguars

Cowboys at Saints: Cowboys

Bengals at Steelers: Steelers

Slumping Pats hope to right the ship against Buffalo!

The past few weeks have not been kind to the Patriots, as they have dropped two straight games due to a miracle play in Miami and an offensive clunker against Pittsburgh. These losses have brought them down to #3 in the AFC playoff standings, and a strong finish to end the season will help them fight for a first-round bye. The Pats face the Buffalo Bills (5-9) tomorrow in what promises to be a tough defensive battle.

Here are some things to consider entering tomorrow’s game.

1. Will the offense rebound?

Tom Brady and the offense did not have a great outing last week against Pittsburgh, as they barely produced any big plays (other than an early 63-yard touchdown to Chris Hogan), and struggled to move the ball for most of the games. One of the most troubling aspects of the game was Tom Brady’s decision-making, as he cost the Pats a good chance at winning by throwing an unacceptable red-zone interception, and by constantly sailing balls on the ultimately doomed final drive. 

This week’s matchup against Buffalo will not be any easier, as the Bills feature a very physical defense. The last time these two teams met, the Bills held the Pats in check, as they didn’t cross 10 points until the 4th quarter. The passing game will definitely be impacted by Josh Gordon’s suspension, which will require players like Chris Hogan and Philip Dorsett to step up and help Brady out. James White also needs to get more touches if the Pats want the offense to thrive.

The offense needs a pick-me-up game to ensure that they have momentum entering the playoffs, and let’s hope that tomorrow is just what they need.

(Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

2. Can the defense stop the run?

The last time the Pats faced the Bills, they didn’t really have to worry about the passing game, as Buffalo’s QB at the time was the then recently-signed Derek Anderson, who did not have a great performance at all. Tomorrow will be different, as the Bills will have their starter back, as Josh Allen will be bringing his dynamic talents to Gillette Stadium. Allen is still a raw passer, but he has been unstoppable on the ground, which will definitely pose a challenge to a Pats defense that has struggled to stop the run in consecutive weeks.

If the Pats can bottle up Allen and LeSean McCoy, they will have a good chance of defeating the Bills.

(Jamie Germano/ Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

Injury Report:

Patriots

• Brandon King (knee) – Questionable

Bills

• Ryan Lewis (concussion) – Out
• Chris Ivory (shoulder) – Questionable

 

Prediction: Patriots 17, Bills 6

Here are my picks for the rest of the NFL’s Week 16 contests (excluding Saturday’s games)

Last week: 10-6

Bengals at Browns: Browns

Buccaneers at Cowboys: Cowboys

Vikings at Lions: Vikings

Packers at Jets: Packers

Texans at Eagles: Texans

Falcons at Panthers: Falcons

Giants at Colts: Colts

Jaguars at Dolphins: Dolphins

Rams at Cardinals: Rams

Bears at 49ers: Bears

Steelers at Saints: Saints

Chiefs at Seahawks: Chiefs

Broncos at Raiders: Broncos

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pats overcome sluggish start to stomp the Bills!

TEAM	1	2	3	4	T
BUF	0	3	3	0	6
NE	3	6	3	13	25

The Patriots overcame a defensive slugfest last night, and emerged victorious in Orchard Park, as they bested the Buffalo Bills (2-6) 25-6. The Pats offense struggled for a majority of the game, as the defense and special teams led the way to another triumph over their divisional rivals.

Here are some takeaways from yesterday’s game.

1. The Patriots offense struggled to gain momentum against Buffalo

The Patriots were able to drive the ball down the field at will, but they struggled to finish off drives, as they settled for 4 field goals, before scoring their first touchdown in the fourth quarter. Tom Brady had an efficient game as he had 324 passing yards (without any touchdowns or interceptions) along with 8 rushing yards (only 3 short of 1000 career rushing yards!). Buffalo was able to constantly get after Brady, with Lorenzo Alexander and Jerry Hughes leading the way for the Bills’ pass rush. Following the injury to Sony Michel during last week’s win at Chicago, the Patriots tried to be creative with their rushing game, as they featured Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield on several plays, with #84 rushing for 38 yards off of 10 carries. 

Julian Edelman ( 9 catches for 104 yards) and James White (10 catches for 79 yards) led the way for the passing attack, as they consistently got open whenever Brady was in trouble. The Pats also had solid contributions from Chris Hogan (2 catches for 49 yards) and Josh Gordon (4 catches for 42 yards). Rob Gronkowski had 3 catches for 43 yards, and it definitely appeared as if he was still hampered by injuries he has suffered recently.

The Patriots will definitely need to have a better outing on offense next week as they welcome the Packers, who gave the high-powered Rams fits on offense.

(Adrian Kraus/AP)

2. The defense had a solid outing

Throughout the season, the Pats defense had been described as the team’s weak link due to their inconsistent showings over the last few weeks. That narrative changed last night, as the defense carried the Pats to a win on a night when Tom Brady & Co. were not at their best. The Bills tried to attack the Pats by using the Wildcat formation on several occasions, which was mostly unsuccessful for Buffalo. The Patriots were able to limit the effectiveness of LeSean McCoy, who was limited to 13 yards off of 12 carries. The Patriots also finally won the turnover battle, as they were able to force 2 turnovers that were crucial in breaking the game open for them. Firstly, Pat Chung recovered a Derek Anderson in the third quarter that resulted in a field goal that increased the lead to 12-6. In the fourth quarter, Devin McCourty delivered the dagger, as he picked off Anderson and returned it for a 84 yard touchdown that put the game out of reach. 

If the Patriots’ defense continues to play like this, they will be hard to beat.

(Photo via NBC Sports)

Statistical Leaders

Patriots

• Passing: Tom Brady – 29/45 for 324 yards
• Rushing: Cordarrelle Patterson – 10 carries for 38 yards
• Receiving: Julian Edelman – 9 catches for 104 yards
• Defensive: Kyle Van Noy – 8 tackles (including 2 sacks)

Bills

• Passing: Derek Anderson – 22/39 for 290 yards, and 1 interception
• Rushing: Chris Ivory – 6 carries for 34 yards
• Receiving: LeSean McCoy – 6 catches for 82 yards
• Defensive: Phillip Gaines – 10 tackles

 

What’s next?: The Pats welcome Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (3-3-1) for a Sunday Night matchup. Ironically, this is only the second matchup between Brady and Rodgers.

Monday Night in Buffalo!

The Pats travel to Buffalo this week to take on their rival, the Buffalo Bills (2-5) on Monday Night Football, with hopes of improving to 6-2 on the season. The rivalry has been rather lopsided in favor of the Pats over the last two decades… Will Monday Night be more of the same?

Here are a few things to consider entering this Week 8 matchup.

1. Will the offense continue to shine?

 The Patriots offense has been otherworldly over the last 4 weeks, as they have averaged nearly 40 points per game, while moving the ball down the field with ease. They face a perplexing opponent in the Buffalo defense, which has had its moments throughout the season. For example, they were able to shut down the potent Vikings offense, along with the brash Titans running game, while being dissected by teams like the Colts and Chargers. The Pats will be without standout rookie RB Sony Michel who suffered a knee injury during last week’s win at Chicago, and may or may not have Rob Gronkowski in the lineup, due to ankle and knee injuries. 

If Gronk sits this week, expect the Pats to rely on what worked last week in Chicago, which was using James White and Julian Edelman across the middle, while stretching the field with Josh Gordon and Chris Hogan. They probably won’t be in a shootout this week due to injuries in Buffalo’s offense, but expect the Pats to put up a lot of points.

(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

 

2. Will the defense finally have a consistent outing?

 The Pats defense’s struggles over the last few weeks has been well-documented, as they have not been consistent in stopping either the run or the pass. They have been able to create turnovers (6 interceptions in the last 3 games), but at the same time, it’s hard to deny that they are extremely porous in the secondary, which makes them heavily susceptible to big plays down the field. They also suffer from an inability to stop the run consistently, as evidenced by Mitch Trubisky’s 81 rushing yards last week. 

Luckily enough for the Pats, they’re facing a Bills team that is without their top quarterback and running back (Josh Allen and LeSean McCoy, respectively), which may make it easier for them to earn a victory. The usually inept Colts defense was able to hold the Bills to 5 points last week with Derek Anderson at QB, which is an encouraging sign for the Pats defense. 

(Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

 

Injury Report:

Patriots

• Sony Michel (knee) – Out
• Eric Rowe (groin) – Doubtful
• Brian Schwenke (foot) – Doubtful
• Trent Brown (ankle) – Questionable
• Marcus Cannon (concussion) – Questionable
• Josh Gordon (hamstring) – Questionable
• Geneo Grissom (ankle) – Questionable
• Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back) – Questionable
• Dont’a Hightower (knee) – Questionable
• Jacob Hollister (hamstring) – Questionable
• John Simon (shoulder) – Questionable
• Deatrich Wise (ankle/knee) – Questionable

Bills

• Josh Allen (elbow) – Out
• Taiwan Jones (neck) – Doubtful
• Trent Murphy (knee) – Doubtful
• LeSean McCoy (concussion) – Doubtful
• Derek Anderson (back/calf) – Questionable
• Chris Ivory (hamstring) – Questionable

 

Prediction: Patriots 28, Bills 10

Here are my predictions for the rest of the NFL’s Week 8 contests.

Last week: 12-2

Dolphins at Texans: Texans

Eagles at Jaguars: Eagles

Broncos at Chiefs: Chiefs

Browns at Steelers: Steelers

Redskins at Giants: Redskins

Seahawks at Lions: Lions

Buccaneers at Bengals: Bengals

Jets at Bears: Bears

Ravens at Panthers: Panthers

Colts at Raiders: Colts

49ers at Cardinals: Cardinals

Packers at Rams: Rams

Saints at Vikings: Vikings

 

D-Lew and the Pats run through the Bills

It wasn’t easy early on, but the Patriots eventually found their rhythm, en route to a 37-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills. The win secured a first-round bye for the Pats, and keeps them in pursuit of home-field advantage for the playoffs. 

Here are a few takeaways from Sunday’s game.

1. Dion Lewis is downright scary for opposing defenses

The Patriots entered Sunday with several injuries at the running back position, and Dion Lewis answered the call when the Patriots desperately needed him to. Lewis finished the game with 24 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown, to go along with 5 catches for 24 yards and a receiving touchdown. Despite his smaller stature, Lewis made life absolutely miserable for the Bills, by breaking tackles and leaving broken ankles in his wake. Lewis was the spark that propelled the Patriots to outscore the Bills 24-3 in the second half. If Lewis continues to play like this, it’s easy to imagine the Patriots advancing in the playoffs.

(Photo by Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)

2. Gronk continues to dominate the Bills

Rob Gronkowski has constantly burnt his hometown Bills over the last few seasons, and Sunday was no exception. Gronk finished the game with 5 receptions for 67 yards, and a jaw-dropping one-handed touchdown grab over Micah Hyde in the second quarter. As always, Gronk was a steady safety blanket for Tom Brady, and also made his presence felt in the running game, as he was responsible for several key blocks. The Patriots will need to lean on Gronk to continue to play well down the stretch.

(Photo by Charles Krupa/AP)

3. What’s wrong with TB12?

Tom Brady had an uneven performance against the Bills, as he had several instances where he made questionable decisions and inaccurate throws. Brady missed several open receivers, and also threw a pick-six when Bills safety Jordan Poyer jumped a route and ran 18 yards for a touchdown. This was Brady’s fifth straight game with an interception, which hasn’t happened since the 2002-03 season. Ironically, Brady followed the interception with a long touchdown drive which leveled the score at 10-10. Brady was bailed out by a dominant rushing attack led by Dion Lewis, but he won’t be so lucky in every game. For the Patriots to continue to win against dominant opponents, TB12 will need to be at his absolute best.

(Photo by Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)

4. The defense still has areas to work on

The Patriots defense had an up-and-down performance against the Bills, with Buffalo easily advancing the ball down the field on several drives (although the Patriots did continue their bend-but-don’t-break strategy). The Patriots’ cornerback duo of Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore got beaten on several long balls, allowing Buffalo to continue their drives. Also, the Patriots continued to struggle getting off the field on third down, enabling Buffalo to keep TB12 on the bench for long stretches. However, the Patriots did have several bright spots in the game. For example, the Bills did not score an offensive touchdown, and they limited LeSean McCoy to 71 yards. They also got after Tyrod Taylor and sacked him 6 times. Malcolm Brown was an unsung hero for the Patriots, recording 6 tackles (including 1 sack), and eating up blocks. 

(Photo by Getty Images)

The Patriots tame the Bills!

The Patriots ran over the Bills on Sunday, leaving Orchard Park with a 23-3 win. This victory was the eight straight win for New England, and moves them up to first place in the AFC (for now), with an 10-2 record.

Here are a few takeaways from yesterday’s game.

1. Rex and D-Lew lead the way!

The Patriots won in an unexpected fashion yesterday, with Tom Brady and his receivers not being the main factor in the offense. Rather, it was the Pats’ rushing attack, spearheaded by Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead, who revitalized the anemic offense, and also helped to put away Buffalo. Lewis totaled 92 yards off 15 carries, while Burkhead had 12 carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Lewis and Burkhead continue to improve week by week, ensuring that the two dynamos will be the featured rushers for the rest of the season. 

(Photo by Adrian Kraus/AP)

2. Have yourself a game, Gronk!

Rob Gronkowski was the standout pass-catcher for the Patriots, as he corralled 9 catches for 147 yards in yet another domination of his hometown Buffalo Bills. On a day when the Patriots’ dynamic offense appeared to be stifled by the stingy Bills, Gronk and TB12 took over in the second half, connecting on several throws that extended long drives.

Unfortunately, Gronk’s monster game has been overshadowed by a reckless decision he made in the waning moments of the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Brady dropped back to loft a ball to #87, but it was intercepted by Tre’Davious White, who appeared to have interfered with Gronk on the play. While White laid motionless on the field, Gronk lunged at him, with his elbow connecting with the back of White’s head. This is definitely out of character for the big tight end, and it is quite disappointing to see, as he let his team down, and also threatened the livelihood of a fellow player. Gronk did apologize to White, and attributed his actions to frustration, but will likely receive a hefty fine from the NFL, along with a possible suspension. 

(Photo by  Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

3. Who’s that Eric Lee guy?

The Patriots’ defense was aided by a dominant linebacker who was involved in several key plays. No, I’m not talking about Kyle Van Noy, or Elandon Roberts, I’m talking about Eric Lee. Sunday’s hero was signed off the Bills’ practice squad 10 days ago, and singlehandedly impacted many of Buffalo’s drives. For instance, on the first drive, Buffalo easily drove down the field, and found themselves in the red zone. Lee ended their drive when he picked off an errant pass by Tyrod Taylor. Lee finished the game with four tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, two pass deflections, three quarterback hits and an interception. As Tony Romo hilariously stated during the CBS broadcast, Lee has to be the most efficient player in the NFL so far this year.

(Photo by Christopher Evans/Boston Herald)

4. The Pats’ defense continues to thrive

The Patriots continued their defensive dominance yesterday, as they limited Buffalo to 3 points, and 85 passing yards (for two quarterbacks). They also had four sacks, nine quarterback hits and eight pass deflections. Similarly to the last few weeks, the Patriots played a bend-but-don’t-break form of defense, as they allowed Buffalo to drive at times, but were able to stop them when necessary. As mentioned earlier, Eric Lee was one of the most dominant Patriot defenders, but another key contributor was Stephon Gilmore, who had a great performance against his former team. Gilmore was mostly able to shut down the receivers he covered in the beginning of the game, and had several key plays late in the fourth quarter. He had 3 pass deflections during one of Buffalo’s last drives, preventing the Bills from putting any points on the board.

(Photo by Adrian Kraus/AP)