Josh Allen is injured in the 16-10 loss to New England.
By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills were quite close to passing an NFL litmus test, coming within one score of defeating the reigning Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots. Buffalo’s defense battled all afternoon, keeping Tom Brady and company off-balance, but it was not enough to keep the zero in the loss column, falling to their long-time rivals, 16-10.
The Patriots won their eighth-straight game in western New York.
Buffalo’s defense was the standout unit on the afternoon, limiting Brady to 150 passing yards on an 18-of-39 game. Running back Sony Michel found space at times but as a whole, Buffalo prevented him from breaking any long runs. The Georgia product ran for 63 yards on 17 carries, a 3.7-yard average clip.
Micah Hyde intercepted Brady in the end zone, ending a 16-play drive and keeping the Patriots within arm’s reach.
Buffalo’s offense, for their part, showed moments of progress. Frank Gore added another line to his Hall of Fame resume, eclipsing the 15,000-yard career rushing mark. He bowled over defenders, rumbling 41 yards in Patriots territory on the record-breaking run. The veteran ended the day with his first 100-plus rushing game in nearly a year, finishing with 109 yards.
In typical Bill Belichick fashion, he made things difficult for Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The second-year-pro saw pressure in his face all afternoon. However, Allen’s indecision and mechanics hurt him in the long run, as he forced several passes down the field, resulting in three interceptions. The “hero ball” bit Allen, as he did not pull off any miracle passes.
He did lead the team on their sole touchdown drive, ultimately looking like a completely different thrower from the first half by completing passes to underneath options throughout the entire drive. Allen went 6-for-6 and 69 passing yards on the drive, and his fourth-down dive from the one-yard line ended the Patriots’ streak of not allowing a touchdown during the season.
However, the turning point of the game occurred late in the third quarter when Allen scurried out of the pocket and was sandwiched by Patriots defenders, ultimately taking a lethal hit to the head that resulted in Allen leaving the game with a possible head injury via the helmet of defensive back Jonathan Jones.
Allen’s inconsistent day ended with 13-of-28 for 153 passing yards and the aforementioned three interceptions. Matt Barkley came in relief, going 9-of-16 for 127 passing yards. He led the Bills to New England’s two-yard line after Allen’s but could not score.
On the final offensive drive, Barkley’s final pass was deflected into the air and picked off to essentially end the game. He had multiple deflected at the line.
Andre Roberts was solid on return duties on the day, averaging 35.5 yards on kick returns and 6.8 yards on six punt returns. However, the special teams unit allowed a punt to be blocked late in the first quarter. The blocked punt was scooped up by Mathew Slater, who returned it for a touchdown. Corey Bojorquez was another player bailed out by the defense, as a dreadful 21-yard punt reared its ugly head.
Kicker Stephen Hauschka also missed a 49-yard field goal in the second quarter. If the Bills could have played for a game-tying field goal in the final minutes, the play-calling may have been a bit different.
Instead, it ended just as most of the games in the past two decades have against the Patriots.
All 16 of New England’s points were scored off of turnovers.
The Bills defense can only do so much, and it showed today. The unit solidified their name as one that should be mentioned among the league’s best. Buffalo is close, and that is promising.
Buffalo falls to 3-1, and they will take on the Titans in Nashville next Sunday.