NFL
By: Edwin Duodu
The Buffalo Bills probably lost their most important game of the season so far against their rivals, the New England Patriots. It was a sloppy football game, but a game in which the Bills had to win. It would’ve been a statement game to help Sean McDermott’s side recapture first place in the division. Now, that task seems out of reach. How does this team go from being sure Super Bowl contenders to now in danger of missing the playoffs?
The previous four games before this matchup, the team had a combined 2-2 record, which saw them beat up on two bad football teams, but out-muscled in the losses. One of the losses came in Buffalo, where the team was embarrassed by Colt’s running back, Jonathan Taylor. He ran all over the place, and Buffalo had no answer. That blueprint was used by Bill Belichick, who came into the game with a plan and succeeded.
The Patriot’s offense had a total of 49 plays; 46 of them were runs. Belichick utilized his strong and overpowering offensive line to shove the Bills in the trenches. Damien Harris’ 10 rushes for 111 yards led the running back committee. He also scored a 64-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels also deployed the likes of Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor on run sweeps to add a different element. That all totaled 222 rushing yards on the night. Mac Jones traveled into Buffalo and threw the ball three times. He left there a winner. Wow. More surprising was the Bill’s inefficiency at stopping the run and forcing the Patriots into a different game plan.
There were multiple times the Bill’s defense stacked the box, bringing in seven and eight-man fronts. However, they still lost the physical battle and were pushed around on the field. The defensive line couldn’t shed blocks and make the tackle. Even if they did get a hand on a Patriot running back, we would see him break those tackles and reach the second level of the defense. Every play that had to be made was near the line of scrimmage.
Since the defense couldn’t effectively stop that, there was no need for passing plays to be called. Yes, the team still held New England to 14 total points and had a few run stuffs that energized the crowd.
However, for the most part, New England’s offensive game plan worked out. The Bills offense, on the other hand, not so much.
Coming into this game, we knew the Bills offense would struggle against a stout defense that has looked dominant recently. However, Buffalo had an average starting field position at their own 40-yard line and couldn’t capitalize. The offense couldn’t finish drives and was a dreadful 1-for-4 in the red zone. It didn’t help that Tyler Bass missed a kick from 33 yards. Once again, the running game was average at best and would look worse statistically if not for Josh Allen making things happen outside the pocket. There were opportunities to score points and win the game.
It seems that the division is lost now. New England currently owns the best record in the AFC at 9-4, while the Buffalo has fallen to 7-5. The Bills are 5-5 in the conference to complicate matters and have some decisive match-ups coming up. That includes two road games against the Buccaneers and Patriots and a good defensive team in the Panthers. McDermott gets a break with games against the Falcons and Jets to end the season, but who knows where they’ll be at that time.
Will they have reclaimed the division title from the Patriots; be able to own one of the Wild Card spots this year, or will they be fighting for their lives to get in? All outcomes are still possible, but I would be worried if I was a Bills fan right now.
