Orchard Park, NY (WGR) - - The Buffalo Bills suffered their first loss of the season, falling 29–26 to the New England Patriots. That means I'll start with my Arrows Down for the first time this season:
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 it, it appeared Hairston did not do everything he could to take the proper angle and get to 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, 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 and Dalton Kincaid had just two targets the entire day, and only one of those was a reception for 7 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, still with over a minute left and only second down at their own 40 yard line, Josh Allen was pressured and avoided a sack, but instead of throwing it away, he launched it downfield into double coverage where the ball was intercepted and 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
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye used his legs to not only get out 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, running 8 times for 54 yards.
- 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 James Cook put the ball on the ground. This time it was a botched exchange between him and Josh Allen. Later, Khalil Shakir had a first down, but while fighting for yards coughed up the football which turned it over to New England.
- Injuries
The Bills were hit with quite a few injuries in this one, including DJ Moore (shoulder), Ed Oliver (knee), Dee Alford (ankle), Te’Cory Couch (hamstring).
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ARROW UP
- Keon Coleman
Once again Coleman made big plays when called upon. He had a fantastic catch, grabbed a touchdown, and was reliable. He finished as the game’s leading receiver, catching 6 passes (on 7 targets) for 116 yards and a touchdown.
- Second half running game
The Bills ran for just 28 yards and 2.5 yards a carry int the first half, but they ran 7 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 QB Drake M
- TJ Parker getting first sack and forced fumble
OK, it was actually half of a sack (shared with Ed Oliver). But TJ Parker got on the sack stat sheet for the first time, and also forced Drake 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.
- 3rd down offense
The Bills converted 6-of-12 (50%) third down chances.
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