Buffalo Bills’ defense still a concern despite Week 15 win vs. Patriots

The Buffalo Bills pulled out a win in dramatic fashion against the New England Patriots. The dramatic fashion came as the Patriots jumped out to a 21-0 lead, then 24-7 at the half. While the defense largely locked things down in the second half, that first half was ugly, ugly, ugly.

Let’s look at the Patriots’ touchdowns to see what went wrong.

Drake Maye: 8 Yards

What went wrong with this touchdown was more about getting to this part of the field and less about this play itself. The Bills were playing the run and there was even a shot to stop Drake Maye early on the run. One step too slow and a missed tackle from linebacker Shaq Thompson look glaring, but hats off to the Patriots for executing their blocks and causing chaos. To his credit, Thompson was able to shed the block he was on and crashed toward the play but wasn’t physically able to get there quick enough.

Drake Maye: 7 Yards

This result is fairly simple and a case of rock, paper, scissors where Buffalo loses. The defense was prepared to play the pass due to the empty backfield for New England and that starts off as a good strategy. However, when you’re only seven yards out from a score, it’s not the best time to lose sight of a quarterback and offer a lane.

TreVeyon Henderson: 52 Yards

This was a huge victory for the Patriots as it relates to blocking. This is a play call and talent advantage. Cole Bishop guessed the wrong angle and the rest is history.

TreVeyon Henderson: 65 Yards

I did try to look at both the long runs and see if there was anything that looked like offensive holding and I don’t see anything I think should have been called. I’m open to potentially being wrong here, so let me know if I missed something (or you think I did) and I can try to go back and take another look.

This touchdown is a case of when the swarm goes wrong. Running back TreVeyon Henderson initially found himself in a wall created by the Bills’ defense. Unfortunately, all 11 players flew to the ball and when Henderson bounced it back outside it caught everyone by surprise and heading the wrong direction. As you likely didn’t need a reminder of, no one caught up to him.