Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills had a chance to put some distance between themselves and the field in the race for their sixth-consecutive AFC East Division title. Instead, they shot themselves in the foot multiple times in increasingly frustrating fashion, losing 23-20 to a New England Patriots squad that came in fired up and ready to play.
Buffalo had plenty of chances, but while their defense came out strong, the offense sputtered for the game’s first 30 minutes. By the time the offense found some semblance of rhythm, the defense was unable to maintain theirs. Three turnovers, 11 accepted penalties, and plenty of missed chances later, the Bills had their first loss of the 2025 season.
The Patriots won the game by exploiting issues in Buffalo’s game that we’ve discussed before, but they also were able to do some things that threw the Bills for a loop, both on offense and defense. Buffalo needed big performances from their big players, and thanks to a tough Patriots’ defense, those big performances did not materialize.
Here’s how our five Bills to watch performed on Sunday night.
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QB Josh Allen
Before we start this, let me be clear: Allen did not play poorly. He was the team’s leading rusher, carrying nine times for 53 yards. He completed 22-of-31 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. While the rushing statistic is problematic, it’s indicative of how tough the Patriots’ run defense is this season. The passing numbers look good, as well, but there’s one big thing missing: A red-zone interception. Allen threw into double-coverage on a second down late in quarter number three, trying to squeeze a ball in to Khalil Shakir when nobody, including Shakir, was open.
Allen said in his press conference that Shakir was “coming friendly” and he just “left the ball inside,” which allowed “the kid to make a play.” That “kid” is New England cornerback Marcus Jones. Buffalo had been inside the 10, and they were looking like they were going to score and take the lead. An offensive pass interference penalty on Shakir set up the 2nd & 13 play from the Patriots’ 19. If Allen scrambles, throws it away, takes a sack, the Bills live to fight another down, and perhaps they end up with a Matt Prater field goal to tie. It’s one of a few “what-ifs” in this one, but it’s not the biggest that I’d put on Allen’s decision-making.
On Buffalo’s final scoring drive, Allen bailed on a clean pocket, as he was likely anticipating pressure that never came. You can watch the play here. If Allen stays in the pocket, the play design works as intended — the flood to the strong side of the field draws the defense, leaving a wide-open Curtis Samuel going the opposite way around the New England five-yard line. Instead, Allen scrambled, passed up a checkdown to Dalton Kincaid, didn’t see Shakir until he had already cut back while avoiding a pass rusher, and threw the ball late. Did...
