Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills continued their penchant for second half heroics in their matchup against the New England Patriots and ultimately pulled out the win, delaying having their five-year divisional title streak snapped with a win in Foxborough in a game that featured multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter.
It was revealed early on that the second half play Buffalo has been known for in 2025 would be necessary to secure the W, as the Bills were losing in the margins and on the scoreboard.
It started with a big run from Rhamondre Stevenson on the first play from scrimmage for the New England offense. A few plays later, head coach Sean McDermott didn’t challenge a Kayshon Boutte play down the sideline that was ruled a completion on third and 7. Replay revealed that the ball was not controlled by Boutte as he went to the ground, and New England went on to score a touchdown. In a similar situation the next drive, Vrabel threw the challenge flag and didn’t even need it, because replay assistance determined that newly-acquired Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks did not secure the ball and have two feet in bounds.
The Bills offense opened with two straight three and outs. On the second, there was a false start on wide receiver Josh Palmer that turned a third and four into a third and nine. After the second straight three and out, the Bills couldn’t tackle Maye in the backfield and he got loose for a big gain.
And just like that, the Bills are down 14-0.
After the first quarter, the Patriots had as many points as the Bills did yards (14).
The vibes continued to be bad in the second quarter. The Bills offense threw a screen on 3rd and 15 from the Patriots side of the field, but not because they intended to go for it on fourth down. Even after the Buffalo offense showed some signs of life by scoring a touchdown late in the second quarter, the Patriots denied the Bills the opportunity to double dip with appropriate clock management at the end of the first half to sneak in a field goal before halftime.
The Bills were getting outcoached. They were losing their grip on the AFC East and watching a team with a young upstart quarterback take it from them, similarly to how New England experienced the rise of Josh Allen.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the Patriots’ “hat and t-shirt” moment.
The Bills scored touchdowns on five straight offensive drives. The defense made some timely third down stops. And all of the sudden, it was a game.
Josh Allen didn’t put the ball in harm’s way and continued funneling the pass game through his tight ends and Khalil Shakir. Second-year running back Ray Davis continued to give the Bills offense positive starting field position. Dawson Knox caught two touchdown passes and continued his upward trajectory in the offense. James Cook continued his career year....
