The Buffalo Bills came out of the gates today with momentum from last week’s win over a Kansas City Chiefs team, and were set to take on the arguably best team in the AFC the New England Patriots. Coming in at 6-5, the Bills needed to make a statement and what better way to do it, than to take down the dynamic duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick?
In a tight AFC playoff battle, the Bills are still in the hunt and can still possibly make the playoffs for the first time since 1999 but after today’s game, not only does it make it more of a slim chance for them, it also shows that they would not be able to handle the better teams in the postseason.
What could have been:
On the Bills opening drive, Tyrod Taylor led the Bills right down the field inside the Patriots redzone in hopes of putting six points on the board. Those hopes came crashing down when Taylor literally threw the ball into the hands of Eric Lee. That was six possible points for the Bills that could have boosted them up in the beginning.
The good news about the Pats first drive? It resulted in a 50-yard field goal that only put the Pats up 3-0.
On another play that could have been an easy six points was an incompletion pass by Joe Webb. Webb saw snaps at quarterback and it almost ended up with him having a passing touchdown to Travaris Cadet but the ball was just overthrown over his finger tips.
On these two plays, that’s 14 points the Bills could have had. Instead, they settled for one field goal which would be the only points they would have for the day.
The downfall…
Going into the second half, the Patriots were leading the Bills 9-3. The Bills defense did an excellent job by not allowing a single touchdown. When the second half started, it was a complete different story.
The running game for the Patriots that had begun in the first half with Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis continued going into the second half. Between the two, they had 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Bills defense completely suffered in this category.
The biggest embarrassment came from Dion Lewis on his long run in which he stiff-armed Jordan Poyer to the ground. Bills fans had to of been disgusted on that play.
The Bills offense could not get anything going. The running game with LeSean McCoy started to slow down and what was worse is that Taylor eventually came of the game after playing on an injured leg that he suffered on the first play of the game. Taylor finished the game completing 50 percent of his passes for 65 yards and 1 interception. Almost a repeat of the game he had against the New Orleans Saints. While it was not Taylor that gave up 23 points, he could not get points on the board.
The Bills then brought in Nathan Peterman, yes, the man who threw five interceptions against the Los Angeles Chargers in one half two weeks ago. Peterman did not have an impact for the Bills offenses’ troubles.
The defense continued to suffer as they let up 258 passing yards, but surprisingly no touchdowns. As a matter of fact, Tre’Davious White picked off Tom Brady which might have been the Bills best play of the day. The bad news about White? He is now in concussion protocol after Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski attacked him after the play was done.
Overall, the Bills looked helpless and now they fall at 6-6. Making it even more difficult for them to clinch a playoff spot.
Up next: the Bills are back at home to take on the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday and look to keep their playoff chances alive.
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