The Patriots began Week 17 with gorgeous offensive incompetence.
Turnovers on 4 of their first possessions ought to have dug an insurmountable gap, however one other spectacular efficiency from Bill Belichick’s protection saved the Patriots within the sport for the whole contest.
Ultimately, the Patriots fell 27-21, doubtlessly pushing them up the 2024 NFL Draft order because of a Cardinals win, and bettering the Bills’ odds to win the AFC East.
The Patriots obtained issues kicked off with a bang. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor returned the Bills’ opening kickoff 98 yards for a landing. This is an effective time to remind everybody that for weeks, the Patriots elected to have veteran operating again/huge receiver Ty Montgomery return kicks over Reagor.
Patriots defensive deal with Christian Barmore began the place he left off final week, when he had three sacks, by pressuring Bills QB Josh Allen on Buffalo’s first offensive snap, resulting in a sack by defensive finish Deatrich Wise. The Patriots compelled a three-and-out, however couldn’t get out of their very own approach on offense.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe threw an interception on the Patriots’ first offensive snap. His move to tight finish Mike Gesicki was tipped by cornerback Rasul Douglas and intercepted by defensive deal with Ed Oliver on the Patriots’ 21-yard line. It was the second straight sport that the Patriots turned the ball over on their first offensive play. It was additionally the second straight sport by which the protection held up anyway.
The Patriots allowed only one 4-yard run with two incompletions earlier than the Bills had been profitable on a 35-yard area aim try, slicing the Patriots’ result in 7-3.
The Bills’ protection made fast work out of the Patriots’ offense with a three-and-out. The Patriots really allowed a primary down on the Bills’ subsequent drive however once more compelled the Bills to punt.
Zappe was as soon as once more intercepted on the primary play of a Patriots offensive collection when he was attempting to hit huge receiver DeVante Parker on a slant. Douglas jumped the route and intercepted him, giving the Bills the ball on the 10-yard line.
It took simply 4 performs for the Bills to get into the top zone on 4 straight rushes. Allen scored on a 1-yard QB sneak to seize a 10-7 lead over the Patriots.
This time, it at the very least took two performs for the Patriots to show the ball over to the Bills. After operating again Ezekiel Elliott ran the ball for no achieve, Zappe accomplished his first move of the sport to tight finish Pharaoh Brown, who picked up 5 yards earlier than Bills cornerback Christian Benford compelled and recovered a fumble on the Patriots’ 31-yard line.
The Patriots’ protection stood robust once more and restricted the Bills to a different area aim, making the rating 13-7. Allen lastly accomplished his first move of the sport, a 1-yarder, after beginning the competition 0-of-6.
The Patriots went their fifth straight drive with out a first down as Zappe took a sack on third down, main to a different punt from Baringer.
The Patriots’ protection remained stout, forcing one other punt regardless of security Jalen Mills being flagged for a 15-yard pointless roughness penalty.
But the Patriots responded with their fourth turnover in simply 5 possessions. This time, Patriots huge receiver Jalen Reagor ran the fallacious route, and Douglas as soon as once more picked off Zappe off of the miscommunication. This time, Douglas ran it again for a pick-six, making the rating 20-7.
The Patriots minimize the Bills’ result in 20-14 as they lastly obtained occurring offense. The six-play, 75-yard drive, propelled by a 48-yard run and catch by operating again Kevin Harris, ended on a 17-yard scramble for a landing by Zappe.
The Patriots’ protection made their first takeaway on the Bills’ ensuing drive. Rookie cornerback Alex Austin, a seventh-round choose by the Bills picked up at midseason, intercepted Allen on a downfield move to tight finish Dalton Kincaid.
Zappe led the Patriots on a six-play, 60-yard drive, however the workforce couldn’t come away with any factors after rookie Chad Ryland missed one other area aim, this one from 47 yards away.
The Patriots compelled one other three-and-out earlier than selecting to kneel on the ball to finish the half whereas trailing 20-14.
A piece play from Allen to Kincaid on a 51-yard completion put the Bills within the purple zone to open the half. Allen plunged ahead for a 1-yard carry to place the Bills backup by two scores at 27-14.
A Chad Ryland missed area aim wiped away by a delay of sport penalty compelled the Patriots to punt once more. The Bills responded with their very own punt when the Patriots protection stuffed them on third-and-1 from Buffalo’s 37-yard line.
The Patriots wouldn’t let the Bills go away quietly as Zappe led the workforce on a seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive that ended with a 6-yard landing scamper from Elliott.
Another stand by the Patriots’ protection compelled an amazing punt from the Bills’ Sam Martin, giving its offense the ball again on the workforce’s personal 3-yard line. A 3-and-out and punt gave the Bills the ball again on the Patriots’ 49-yard line with 5:02 remaining the sport.
The Bills slowly bled the clock to win.
BEST
CB Alex Austin: The rookie cornerback was a pleasant midseason pickup. He picked off Allen in opposition to his former workforce.
RB Kevin Harris: The Patriots’ greatest play of the sport got here on Harris’ 48-yard catch and run off of a display screen.
WR Jalen Reagor: Yes, Reagor seemingly ran the fallacious route, resulting in miscommunication and an interception for Zappe. He additionally returned a kick for a landing and caught a 36-yard deep shot from Zappe.
WORST
QB Bailey Zappe: At least one among Zappe’s three interceptions seemingly wasn’t his fault, however he had three interceptions. That’s sufficient to go on this class regardless of his potential to maintain the Patriots within the sport.
TE Pharaoh Brown: A expensive fumble gave the ball again to the Bills within the first quarter.
Ok Chad Ryland: One missed area aim counted. Another didn’t after the Patriots dedicated a delay of sport on the identical play.
Source: www.bostonherald.com