I’m usually not the reactionary type. After the loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week, I was pretty high on the New England Patriots still. They showed enough fight in the second half to make me believe in them as I did, and still do to some respect. There wasn’t too much to takeaway in the optimism department for the Pats in their 33-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills. In a game where it’s easy to get lost in the big picture of post-season, New England did just that. In that, they gave up their dominance of the AFC East. They no longer control their own destiny when it comes to the AFC East title. They’ll look to depend on the lowly Falcons and bottomfeeder Jets the next two weeks to give them some assistance.
The historically dependable Patriots though were anything but in Gillette. Specifically, on defense, the Pats were torched by Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Dropped interceptions, lack of pass-rush, inability to get off the field, and Myles Bryant getting torched by previously unknown Isaiah McKenzie.
The playoff picture has been seriously altered, and the Patriots don’t have much they can do to put themselves back to where they were. After a seven-game win streak being turned into a two-game losing streak (also cementing their losing record at home), all that should be at the front of New England’s mind is stopping the bleeding.
But there are some big takeaways from this match-up. Not only for the players who will be chewed out by Bill Belichick but the fans as well. It’s human nature to be reactionary, and a loss to an in-division rival that costs you a home playoff game will absolutely do that. But be rational. Mac Jones doesn’t suck. The Patriots aren’t awful. They just have some major corrections to make in these final two weeks. In 2018, the Patriots made some major shifts in the team game plan. It is totally possible to do it again in 2021.
What Went Wrong?
The Bills’ offense destroyed the Patriots in terms of the time of possession, nearly 11 minutes difference. Had the Patriots received another drive or two, this game would have turned out a whole lot differently. I’d put a whole lot of money on that. But this isn’t that reality. There’s no Dr. Strange I can talk into maybe having J.C. Jackson not drop that late interception on the drive that made the game 33-21.
It’s not like the opportunities to take this game weren’t there. The Patriots brought the Bills to fourth down with tremendous consistency, but the defense always folded. In almost cinematic fashion, the final drive brought the Bills to third and long and fourth down, neither time could the defense get off the field. When you can’t force your opponent to punt the ball at least once, you’re not going to win the game. Unless you’re the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Offensively, they’re not totally innocent. Mac Jones completed less than 50% of his passes and tossed for under 150 yards with no scores and two picks (tipped pass and a last-second heave on the last drive that didn’t matter), and there were plenty of miscommunications and dreadful play calls to go around. But just like last week, New England heated up. They kept pace with Buffalo after halftime, but the defense couldn’t pull through. Which is the exact opposite of what the beginning of the year was like for the Patriots. They’re playing undisciplined, sloppy football and good teams like the Colts and the Bills will not them get away with it.
Moving Forward
Well, all the Patriots can really do is just win. They have a nice and easy matchup versus the dysfunctional Jaguars, who probably care about the first overall pick more than a late-season win. Then they travel to Miami to play the chippy Miami Dolphins who may just have something to play for come the regular-season finale.
But their AFC East championship chase is effectively over. Buffalo owns all tie-breakers over New England and has leapfrogged them in the standings. The best they can do is play hard the next couple of weeks and let the cards fall as they may. The silver lining of this game? It’s hard to find one, but at least their playoff position won’t be on the team’s mind any longer. Their position in the division isn’t up to them anymore. But what is up to them is making the most of these final two games, and finishing the season strong.
