A few weeks ago when the Patriots beat the Bills 14-10 in Buffalo, a major reason why was they beat themselves.
Buffalo went 1-for-4 in the red zone and were undisciplined at times.
One of the Patriots’ biggest keys to success this season has been capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes, including penalties.
But on Sunday against the Bills, the Patriots were the ones making the mistakes, including some uncharacteristic post-whistle penalties. More often than not the Patriots get under the skin of their opponents, but the Bills were the ones frustrating the Patriots on Sunday.
At the end of the first half Mac Jones was hit out of bounds and a flag was thrown for a late hit, but then picked up after the officials discussed the call. Prior to the next play being run, Trent Brown was jawing back-and-forth with the Buffalo defensive line and ended up getting a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Then in the fourth quarter David Andrews got the same penalty for “taunting” after he came to the defense of Jones when he was hit after sliding.
“I have to be better. I take pride in not hurting the football team. I hurt the team,” Andrews said after the game.
Bills coach Sean McDermott said he put a lot of emphasis on staying disciplined going into the game.
“We talked a little bit last go around with us hurting ourselves with penalties,” he said to reporters. “There's a discipline component that comes with that, whether they're during the play or after the play or before the play. If you want to play winning football, you can't beat yourselves with penalties. It was a physical game out there, so guys are going to get a little bit emotional, but we have to keep our emotions in check.”
The Patriots committed six penalties for 47 yards, while the Bills had just three for 20 yards.
This will be something the Patriots will look to clean up beginning next week against the Jaguars as they are not good enough to overcome penalties, especially post-whistle.
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