The Patriots have had a ton of success against Buffalo during the first 20 years of this century as the Brady/Belichick era routinely beat down the Bills at will. But all of that changed five years ago. Josh Allen became the MVP QB that he is today, the Bills became one of the best teams in the league, and the Patriots sank to depths that they hadn’t felt in a long time. The past two seasons, the Patriots were a combined 8-26. And the Bills rode roughshod over them, except for politely throwing the final game of 2024, thereby keeping the Patriots from the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The AFC East goes through Buffalo (it still does, even after last night). But with the last-minute 23-20 win over the Bills in the Patriots’ final appearance at Highmark Stadium, the Patriots showed that the games are going to be a lot tougher now. Are they on Buffalo’s level? Nope, not yet, but they have their own version of “the guy,” and Drake Maye has a bright future. The games in the future will have a more even feel to them than they have in the past five years.Perhaps it was fitting that the Patriots’ final trip to Highmark was a win, much to the chagrin of a white-out of Bills’ Mafia fans. Tom Brady tortured them for 20 years; perhaps Drake Maye can have sustained success against Buffalo.So, as we always do, let’s break it down by positionQuarterback: ADrake Maye was superb again, and this time it wasn’t against the Panthers, this was against a team that many, (including here) pick to win the Super Bowl in 2025. Buffalo is always a tough place to play, the crowd is loud and it is hard to hear the signals. Plus the fact that Buffalo’s defense, albeit, one that is beat up right now is very good. But Maye made play after play in this one. After a somewhat lackluster first half where he went 9-16 for 84 yards, Maye went 13-14 for 184 yards in the second half. Buffalo blitzed a lot more than they usually do in the final 30 minutes, but Maye rolled out to his right and delivered. In the pivotal fourth quarter Maye was 6-6 for 90 yards. This play was just unbelievable. It looked like something Josh Allen does. In the second half of the last three games, Maye is 34-38 (85.9 percent) for 430 yards with three TDs and 0 INTs. That’s a passer rating of 140.1, and that is some rarified air. The Patriots have found “the guy.”Running Backs: CThe running backs lost a key cog in the rotation when Antonio Gibson was lost for the year with a torn ACL. Rhamondre Stevenson lost another fumble early in the game, but he returned and scored two touchdowns on the ground. But he gained only 14 yards on seven carries.Before he was injured, Gibson carried six times for 21 yards, the Patriots don’t want to put too much on TreVeyon Henderson’s plate, but now they’ll have no choice. He finished with 24 yards on six carries. Total carries for the RBs 19, total yards 59 yards, barely three yards a carry. And this was going against a Bills injured unit that had been gashed a lot thus far. Now the question is who will they replace Gibson with. Terrell Jennings is on the practice squad, but he doesn’t strike me as a long-term answer. The running game really needs to get going.Cordarelle Patterson and Jamaal Williams are free agents right now. Patterson is a known (if older) commodity as both a returner and a running back. Williams is 30 and has kept in shape with the hope he gets a call from a needy team. It doesn’t hurt to bring them in for a visit at least. Wide Receivers: ALast week, Stefon Diggs caught six passes for 101 yards, this week against his former team, he took it to another level hauling in 10 passes for 146 yards. He was immense all night long. His chemistry with Maye seems to be growing by the week. His 61 yards of YAC are nice to see.Diggs’ catch on the sideline where he went completely horizontal with his toes dragging the turf was just ridiculous. He instantly has uplifted the team and put them on his back, in what was a very meaningful game for him. Kayshon Boutte had three catches for 43 yards, while DeMario Douglas had two catches for 17 yards. The running backs had five catches for 21 yards. Tight Ends: B-The Patriots’ tight ends weren’t the factor that was envisioned when I did our keys. Of course that may have something to do with Diggs giving the Bills’ secondary fits all night long. Hunter Henry had a really nice catch on a deep seam route where Maye placed the ball perfectly between defenders. Henry finished with two catches for 48 yards on the night. But this night belonged to Diggs.Offensive Line: BThe starting offensive line was back together and the Bills blitzed them relentlessly in the second half, but they held together for the most part very well. Will Campbell was outstanding in this game. How many times did you hear Joey Bosa’s name called? 40 Pass Blocking Snaps, 0 Sacks Allowed, 0 Pressures, 0 QB Hits, 2 Hurries. 97.2% Pass Block Efficiency. 87.2 True Pass Block Grade (Team High). I don’t want to hear any more of that “short-arms BS” any longer. The young man can play. And for the second week, he absolutely planted a defender in the running game. I thought Morgan Moses had a very strong game as well. Defensive Line: BThe defensive line, particularly Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, has been outstanding this season. James Cook has shred everyone this season averaging over 100 yards a game. The Patriots front seven but especially the DL took him out of the game. Cooks had 15 carries for 49 yards (3.3 yard average) on Sunday night. That is balling out. Josh Allen had 53 yards mostly on scrambles when there wasn’t anyone open. Khyiris Tonga had another strong game. He’s turning into a very good signing for the team. A couple of bad penalties by the younger guys knocked the grade down a bit, but this was another superb effort. The pass rush was lacking in this one.Linebackers: BThe linebackers were all around the ball again. Robert Spillane once again had a strong effort in the middle and had a team leading eight tackles with Christian Ellis. Spillane is finding his groove in the Patriots defense. Jahlani Tavai returned to the team and he looked he barely missed a beat in limited action. Jack Gibbens got flagged for a DPI, but chipped in with six tackles. The linebackers were a big positive in the running game. Secondary: B+The Patriots secondary overall had another very strong game. Having Christian Gonzalez back is such a huge boost to the unit. Gonzalez had two big plays at the end of the game, forcing the Bills to go for a game-tying FG rather than extending the drive for a potential TD. The Bills pair of talented WRs Khalil Shakir (six catches for 45 yards) and Keon Coleman (4 catches for 23 yards, TD), were mainly held in check. Something to remember, Allen had all day to throw and the coverage was sticky. This unit is just starting to come together. Marcus Jones had a huge interception to kill a Bills’ drive. When they play a QB who isn’t as mobile as Allen, this group should be excellent in man coverage. One issue was the safeties had a tough game covering Dalton Kincaid (6 catches 108 yards). Kincaid is a heck of a tight end, and he gave the Patriots fits all night. Special Teams: ABack-to-back weeks, and back-to-back strong efforts from the Patriots special teams units. Bryce Barringer averaged 47.8 yards on his four punts, putting three of them inside the 20-yard line. The lone punt that was a touchback was a monster 73 yarder that just bounced in the end zone that flipped field position. With the game on the line, Andy Borregales nailed a 52-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in the game. That kick would have been good from 65+. He launched that one with authority and there was no doubt. If he missed that kick, the Bills and Allen would have the ball on the 42 and time to get 20 or so yards for Matt Prater who has a strong leg. Vrabel showed confidence in him and he delivered.Coaches: A-Mike Vrabel and the staff had the team prepared and ready to get in a rock fight with the last undefeated team in the league. They went into a hostile environment and played hard for 60 minutes. It was especially encouraging to see so many of the young players play so well, that is a positive moving forward. The game plan was a good one, they held Allen and the Bills to just 20 points. Another strong effort by Zak Kuhr. The offense in the second half was very good. Josh McDaniels has this unit starting to gel. Well, the Patriots have a modest two-game winning streak, and Bills week is done. We’re on to New Orleans and the Saints next Sunday afternoon.Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at [email protected].Listen to our Patriots 4th and 2 podcasts as the writers Russ Goldman, Derek Havens, and I from PatsFans.com discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.
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About Steve BalestrieriA former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)View all posts by Steve Balestrieri
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Andre Borregales
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Rhamondre Stevenson
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