Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR) - The Buffalo Bills suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday, falling 29-26 to the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
That means I'll start with my Arrows Down for the first time this season:
Orchard Park, N.Y. - New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson celebrates with teammates after an interception of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen during the fourth quarter of a game at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 4, 2026. Bryan M. Bennett - Getty Images
ARROW DOWN:
Max Hairston
Hairston had a really rough day, often finding himself the target of passes from Drake Maye - especially to Romeo Doubs - and often in big situations. He was beaten too often.
He also had a holding penalty on a would-be sack near the Bills' goal line.
Then on the play that gave the Patriots a first down to seal the win, it appeared Hairston did not do everything he could to take the proper angle and stop Hunter Henry.
The defense overall
One week after it looked like they were starting to figure it out, the Bills defense allowed a Patriots offense that had been really struggling to get off the mat and move down the field on them too often.
The Patriots totaled 405 yards of offense and scored 29 points.
First defensive drives of both halves
The Bills defense gave up long drives to New England to start both halves.
After the Bills offense went three-and-out to start the game, the Patriots drove 97 yards in 12 players to score a touchdown.
Then to start the second half, they drove 72 yards in 14 plays to punch it into the end zone again.
Where was Kincaid?
Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid had just two targets the entire day, and only one of those was a reception for seven yards.
He's a huge weapon in the offense and can't be forgotten about like that.
Josh Allen’s last throw decision
Driving to, at least, tie the game and maybe even win it, and still with over a minute left on the clock and only second down at their own 40-yard line, Allen was pressured and avoided a sack, but instead of throwing it away, he launched it downfield into double coverage. The Bills quarterback was picked off, and it effectively ended the game.
Penalties in key spots
It wasn't the volume of penalties, because the Bills were called for just five of them for 51 yards.
But, once again, they committed a few penalties in key situations that allowed New England off the hook, or hurt themselves from being in a favorable situations.
First-half run game
The Bills just couldn't run the ball in the first half. They had 11 carries for only 28 yards, averaging 2.5 yards per-run.
In the second half, they got it going much better, but it took far too long.
Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams
The Bills' starting linebackers combined for 15 tackles, but just one for a loss, and were really neutralized all afternoon. They needed to make a few plays, but didn’t.
Allowing Drake Maye to scramble
Maye used his legs to not only get out of a few spots it looked like he was going to get sacked, but then gained key first downs.
He was New England’s leading rusher with 54 yards on eight carries.
Joshua Palmer
Palmer was targeted four times and had just one catch for three yards.
He had a ball near the sidelines he should have caught that would have been a first down. The Bills wound up punting.
Red zone defense
The Patriots were inside the Bills' red zone three different times and scored touchdowns on each of them.
More fumbles
Once again, running back James Cook put the ball on the ground. This time, it was a botched exchange between him and Allen.
Later, wide receiver Khalil Shakir had a first down, but while fighting for yards coughed up the football. That turned into a turnover and gave the Patriots the ball.
Injuries
The Bills were hit with quite a few injuries in this one, including D.J. Moore (shoulder), Ed Oliver (knee), Dee Alford (ankle) and Te’Cory Couch (hamstring).
Orchard Park, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman reacts after a play against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of a game at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 4, 2026. Bryan M. Bennett - Getty Images
ARROW UP:
Keon Coleman
Once again, Coleman made big plays when called upon. He had a fantastic catch, grabbed a touchdown, and was reliable all afternoon.
He finished as the game’s leading receiver, catching six passes (on seven targets) for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Second-half running game
The Bills ran for just 28 yards and 2.5 yards a carry in the first half, but they ran seven times for 63 yards in the second half - an average of 7.0 yards per-run.
Job against Patriots running backs
The Patriots ran for 143 yards, which is far too much, but most of that was by Maye.
T.J. Parker getting first sack and forced fumble
OK, it was actually half of a sack (shared with Ed Oliver), but Parker got on the sack stat sheet for the first time, and also forced Maye’s fumble the Bills recovered - also a first in the NFL for him.
Greg Rousseau
Rousseau was one of the lone bright spots on the Bills defense, recording four total tackles, four quarterback hits, and two pass breakups.
Third-down offense
The Bills converted 6-of-12 (50%) third-down chances.
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