Foxborough, Mass. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills officially put a bow on a very successful 2024 regular season on Sunday, even if the final game on the schedule ended with a 23-16 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
In a game that didn't have any impact on Buffalo's seeding for the playoffs, the Bills elected to sit a number of starters, or play them very limited reps in order to attain certain milestones or salary bonus opportunities.
This included quarterback Josh Allen, who started the game Sunday to continue his consecutive starts streak, reaching 115 games with just one snap to open the first offensive drive. After a handoff to James Cook, Allen went back to the sidelines to allow backup Mitch Trubisky, and even third-string quarterback Mike White carry the load the rest of the way.
Speaking of Cook, he got some early action for the Bills before getting a chance to reach a franchise mark in the third quarter. He provided the highlight of the day for Buffalo by tying the single-season rushing touchdown record with 16 on the year.
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Another key for the Bills from this game was to come out of it with little-to-no injury concerns among those who played in the contest. After the game, Bills head coach Sean McDermott noted this may be of one the most healthy teams he's had going into the postseason.
"Knock on wood, because sometimes things show up the next day," said McDermott following Sunday's regular season finale. "Now you want to be as healthy as you can be going into the playoffs, and as strong as you can be."
Despite Sunday's loss, McDermott remains extremely confident in his team heading into his team's AFC Wild Card Round matchup with the Denver Broncos.
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Hear more from McDermott's postgame press conference available in the player below: