BSJ Game Report: Patriots 14, Bills 10 - New England sails into bye with 7th straight win and 222 rushing yards

ORCHARD PARK, NY — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Bills in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Patriots played virtually a perfect game in terrible conditions: Bill Belichick knew exactly how his team needed to play with 40 mph sustained winds, and the team virtually executed it to perfection in a 14-10 victory over the Bills. The Patriots decided to shelve the passing game — Mac Jones attempted just three passes, even with the wind — and relied almost exclusively on the running game for 222 of their 241 yards. The only big error in the game was N'Keal Harry fumbling a punt return that set Buffalo's only touchdown on the next play from the 14-yard line.

Team execution: The Patriots did everything better than the Bills in this game — better rush offense (Damien Harris' 64-yard TD run put the game on New England's terms early), better rush defense, Nick Folk made both his field goals and the Bills missed a big one, and the Patriots tackled better.

Gutsy fourth-down call: After Josh Allen didn't see an open Dawson Knox on third down, the Bills had 4th and 14 from the New England 18-yard line with two minutes left in the game. The Patriots had some coverage issues in the fourth quarter, often when they played man, and seemed to be barely hanging on. They had a choice on fourth down and went with a gutsy all-out blitz. Allen rushed his decision and didn't see Cole Beasley so badly that Myles Bryant came off him and deflected a pass to Stefon Diggs to end the game. Huge, huge and risky call in that spot, but it worked for the Patriots. 

Adrian Phillips injured late: During the two-minute timeout, safety Adrian Phillips went down to the turf and needed attention. He limped off — as many of his teammates went over to him to offer their support — but the doctors were performing an ACL test on the sideline. That would be a huge blow for this defense. Sean Davis had to play a lot of big snaps at safety down the stretch. He has barely played before tonight.

TURNING POINT

Patriots had two huge plays going into the wind that set them up for points when the first and third quarters flipped. This goes to the coaching and knowing exactly how to coach this type of game.

The first was Jonnu Smith's acrobatic 12-yard catch with 1:22 left in the first quarter. That allowed the clock to keep going, and eventually Folk kicked a 41-yard field goal.

The second was Rhamondre Stevenson's 10-yard run on 2nd and 9 at the Buffalo 31 with 1:54 left in the third quarter. Folk wound up kicking the game-winning field goal six plays later in the fourth quarter with the wind at his back.

If the Patriots don't get those plays, they might have to kick into the wind — if they even elected to. Belichick bypassed the extra point into the wind in the first quarter.

SECOND GUESS

Sean McDermott's decision to take the ball to start the second half. By deferring on the opening coin toss, by rule, the Bills defer their choice to the second half. They can a) kick or receive the ball, or b) decide what end zone to defend. In the fourth quarter, with the wind favoring the Patriots and going against Buffalo, Nick Folk made his 34-yard field goal, and Tyler Bass missed from 33. The make and miss were huge in this game. If Bass made his, the Bills only needed a field goal to take the lead and, instead, had to go for it on 4th and 14. Yes, the Patriots would have, possibly, played a bit differently up one point instead of four, but that was a big decision and we think McDermott chose unwisely.

By the way, does that guy ever stop bitching at the officials? Probably got him that phantom roughing the passer call — Allen complains just as much as his coach — it has to wear on officials.

FOUR UP

Offensive line and tight ends: Anytime you put up 14 points and get a win with three attempted passes, you have to give it up to the big fellas up front. For the most part, they controlled the line of scrimmage even when the Bills put 10 players on the line. They took advantage of the Bills' finesse edge players and overrated inside linebackers and largely just took it to them.

Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson: Thunder and Lightning here as Harris had the biggest runs of 64, 22 and 17 yards, but Stevenson did a lot of the dirty work with 78 yards on 24 carries as he battered the Bills physically. Both had great ball security while Matt Breida fumbled for the Bills.

Davon Godchaux: Had a feeling the interior linemen would dominate against a weak Bills interior line (especially center Mitch Morse) and the big man did with a team-leading six solo tackles and 10 total tackles. That's almost unheard of for a nose tackle. Godchaux seems to be rounding into the form with his play the past few weeks.

Patriots coaches: This one calls for some Bud Heavys. Just a masterful performance and while I'm sure it was way too close at the end for many Patriots fans, Belichick knew how this game would be played, where his team would hold an advantage, and where the Bills would be weak. It was nearly perfect.

TWO DOWN

N'Keal Harry: Made this game a lot tighter with his fumbled punt. The decision to put him back there was one of the few mistakes by this coaching staff.

Jalen Mills: Was easily beaten for the first touchdown and nearly gave up another but got away with pass interference.

INJURIES

Adrian Phillips left with a leg injury and did not return.

Matthew Judon left with a hand injury but did return.

Damien Harris appeared to be limping in the second half.

TOP PLAYS

I think we showed them all.

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

What a long, strange trip it's been: The Patriots probably looked at the schedule before the season and were in disbelief that they got the latest bye week and had a late Thursday night game. With relatively good health and winning seven straight games after a 2-4 start, the Patriots have to LOVE their schedule. They had 10 days off before hosting the physical Titans. And after beating the Bills, they have a bye before facing the Colts and Bills. Then New England finishes with the Jaguars and improved Dolphins. And to think few thought the Patriots had a chance at my 11-6 preseason prediction at 2-4 .... I might have been too low!

Be ready for the return matchup: This was a great win for the Patriots and could send the Bills into a funk, but the Patriots better be ready for them to bring fire and brimstone to Gillette in three weeks. Hopefully we get a good weather game and see these QBs go toe to toe.

Bravo, Belichick: Just a standing ovation. That was up there with his all-time great coaching performances. Of course, he couldn't do it without the players.