Peyton Manning endured his struggles against the Patriots, especially in late-season games with brutal weather conditions. On Monday night, Manning provided ample insight into what it’s like to face a Bill Belichick defense, and why the Patriots are so difficult to play against.
The key is versatility. In the first quarter of the Patriots’ 14-10 win over the Bills, Peyton and Eli spoke about how New England mixes up its personnel on every play.
“They give you multiple defenses on any given play. They can be in a 4-down even front, a 3-down odd front. Every single play, you are working,” said Peyton. “Every time I played the patriots, I was exhausted after the game, because on a 1st-and-10, 2nd-and-1, you were having to identify what the front is: ‘Hey, it’s an odd front, it’s an even front, who’s the mic? It’s a lot.”
The Patriots’ defense has dominated during their seven-game winning streak, confusing all sorts of quarterbacks along the way, including the prolific Justin Herbert. While the 50-mph wind gusts tempered Josh Allen’s performance more than any scheme could, the Bills’ QB looked overmatched whenever Buffalo crossed into New England territory.
The game was decided on two plays late in the fourth quarter, with the Bills inside the Patriots’ 20. Down by four, they needed a touchdown to win, so Allen dropped back and passed. He came up short both times, and made questionable decisions. On 3rd-and-14, he panicked when faced with pressure up the middle, and rolled out to his right before firing the ball towards Dawson Knox in the right side of the end zone. Adrian Phillips made an incredible play batting the ball away, but replay showed Stefon Diggs was open in the middle of the field.
Allen just didn’t see him. ESPN’s main Monday night crew explained how the pressure and coverage baited Allen into making the wrong throw.
“If Josh Allen were able to keep his eyes down field, that’s where they wanted to go with the football. Right there with Stefon Diggs,” said Brian Griese. “But the pressure on Josh Allen — his eyes were down, and so he never kept his eyes up to see Diggs in the middle of the field. He tried to extend the play, give Knox a chance, but that play was meant for Diggs in the middle of the field. He was open, but Josh wasn’t able to find him.”
On the next play, undrafted safety Myles Bryant knocked away a pass that was intended for Gabriel Davis, even though Cole Beasley was uncovered. Once again, Allen missed an open receiver.
It’s fair to surmise Allen was mentally cooked. The Patriots run such a complex scheme, Peyton said his teams were forced to practice each play twice in the run-up to matchups against Belichick.
“It’s a pain. I’m not gonna lie,” he said.
The Bills have three weeks before their next meeting with the Patriots Dec. 26. Itt looks like Allen has a lot of studying to do.
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