New England Patriots: It’s all about running the ball against the Bills
The New England Patriots ran the ball and secured 1st place in the AFC East after braving Mother Nature and the Buffalo Bills?
Did something happen to Mac Jones‘ arm? Or did the New England Patriots say forget the pass and just run the ball? More likely, the latter.
A 14-10 victory on a night where the forecast wanted to be the star of the show now has New England (9-4) atop the AFC East, firmly ahead of the Buffalo Bills. Additionally, New England now heads into their bye week with the top spot in the AFC?
Oh, and they ran the football, and it looked as Jones was the textbook definition of a handoff machine. But, as they say, there’s no individual glory; it’s all about the team in Foxborough. 46 running plays to three passes with two completions. 46-3 in terms of run-pass. Lack of balance? Yes. Did it matter in the end? No.
On the other hand, while playing at home, Buffalo (7-5) had more balance but less to show for it. Josh Allen‘s night consisted of a 15/30 passing performance for 145 yards and a touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis.
On the other hand, New England benefitted greatly from the services of Damien Harris, who ran for 111 yards on ten carries, including a 64-yard burst in the first quarter. Defensively, Matt Judon continues to show why it was a mistake for Baltimore to let him go, bringing his sack total to 12.5 on the year. Though standing 5’9″, defensive back Myles Bryant made the biggest play at the end of the game with a late deflection that sealed the win and stunned the mafia.
Buffalo had chances to score throughout the game and pull the game closer, but to no avail, and missed a field goal wide right, the two words that to this day still prove to be torturous to the folks of Orchard Park.
If the New England Patriots can win by just running the ball, imagine what they can do if they incorporate balance
It’ll be a great ride back to Foxborough after the last two games against the Bills ended sourly for the Patriots. Furthermore, this season is looking more and more like vindication for New England and head coach Bill Belichick.
Earlier in the year, it looked as if the sky was falling yet again after last season. Right now, the skies are opening up. As it turns out, it’s not how you start but how you finish. A 2-4 start now has New England on a seven-game winning streak. Additionally, the free agency spending spree that the Patriots have gone on this past offseason is looking impressive.
Though Jonnu Smith has severely struggled since signing a large deal, he did have an impressive one-handed grab, one of Jones’s two completions on the night. Meanwhile, Judon, do we need to say more? He’s not only a great player; he’s a fan favorite.
It’s off to a bye week, and then a date in Indianapolis with the Colts before coming home to welcome Buffalo. So far, so good. But a bit more balanced approach ought to help, right? Then again, as long as the final score is a Patriot victory, it likely doesn’t matter.