Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Bills in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Punt block for a touchdown wins the game: It's not often this happens, but basically, once the Patriots scored on JC Jackson's blocked punt that was returned by Matthew Slater, the Bills basically outplayed New England. If it wasn't for that play by the special teams, the Patriots might very well have lost this game.
The offense was terrible: Tom Brady completed just 18 of 39 passes for 150 yards and had a terrible interception in the end zone to post a 45.9 rating. The rushing offense averaged just 3.2 yards per carry. After the Patriots scored on their second possession, they had eight drives that ended in punts and another with the interception. The Patriots had five drives that gained less than 10 yards. It didn't help that none of the receivers could get separation.
The defense was awesome: It wasn't perfect on defense — the Bills had nine drives that ended in New England territory (Patriots had four in Buffalo territory) — but they made the big plays when it counted and made Bills QBs Josh Allen and Matt Barkley look as inept as possible with four interceptions and a 32.4 rating. The Patriots had five sacks, two more QB hits, six passes defensed and two forced fumbles and one touchdown allowed (first in five games).
Game over.@KVN_03 | @j_collins91 pic.twitter.com/25wDqVYTC5
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 29, 2019
TURNING POINT
Jackson's punt block, where the Bills failed to audible into max protect. It was 13-0 at that point, and the Patriots had the game on their terms throughout. And that proved to be very important.
Our guy!
J.C. Jackson's punt block leads to Matthew Slater's first career TD!#NEvsBUF | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/JiaeNrwHFB
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 29, 2019
SECOND GUESS
Patriots had second and 7 with 3:25 left and the clock running, and the Patriots elected to throw on the next two downs despite the Bills have no timeouts remaining. Instead of Buffalo getting the ball back with under two minutes left, they got it with 3:09 and were in Patriots territory at the 2-minute warning.
THREE UP
CB JC Jackson: A blocked put and two interceptions in addition to great coverage all game. 'Nuff said.
Just Cover
& block punts
& intercept passes.
J.C. Jackson hauls in his 2nd INT of the day! #BUFvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/j8CfaTU6bA
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 29, 2019
OLB Kyle Van Noy: Led the team with eight tackles, had two sacks, including a strip late that got Buffalo into a very long third down, and then he ended it by hitting Bills QB Matt Barkley and the ball floating to Jamie Collins.
P Jake Bailey: In a game where defense was king, punting is huge. And the rookie punter had a great day, average 48.4 yards per punt with five with a hangtime of at least 5 seconds.
THREE DOWN
OC Josh McDaniels: This is a little harsh considering the defense and what he has to work with on offense, but it's McDaniels' job to figure out how to get the offense moving and he just couldn't. Brian Daboll was more successful getting his parts to function. It hurts that there's no Rob Gronkowski to bail out the Patriots.
Offensive line: The Patriots couldn't run the ball again, and Brady didn't have a ton of time to throw. The guys up front have to do better.
K Stephen Gostkowski: Missed an extra point. Again.
INJURIES
WR Josh Gordon (knee): Had a wrap on his knee at some point and was taken out but returned.
TOP PLAYS
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
We're back to the Patriots 2018 offense — without the running game: The Patriots and Brady have never been able to pass all that well against Sean McDermott's defense, but they could run against them. The Bills have better personnel now, but this game was an indictment on where the Patriots' running game is this season. They couldn't do anything and the Bills thought the passing game is so inept that they stacked the box against the Patriots. This is going to be a tough haul the rest of the year — against good defenses — for Josh McDaniels and Tom Brady ... again.
The Patriots need to figure out the center position: Ted Karras has been Steady Teddy all along, and he's good and solid. But if I had to pick a reason why the running game isn't working, I would say it's Karras' inability to get to the second level. The Patriots need to figure out if that lack of athletic ability is important or not. They might want to look at bringing Russ Bodine back — he's no great athlete either — or someone else.