CHEEKTOWAGA, NY — Taking a closer look via video at three key Patriots plays from Monday night's win over the Bills, which include:
- The Bills out-leveraging themselves and perfect execution on Damien Harris' touchdown;
- Patriots running out of the same formation for underrated 10-yard Rhamondre Stevenson run to setup winning field goal;
- Josh Allen throwing early against Patriots' pressure on final defensive sequence.
1Q: 3-5-NE 36 (5:28) D.Harris left tackle for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Patriots came out in a tight formation and tank or goalline personnel — a running back, fullback, TE Jonnu Smith, 6th OL Mike Onwenu and WR N'Keal Harry. Bills answered with base personnel — not goalline personnel.
The Patriots decided, and it could have been Mac Jones' decision based on the numbers, to run to the weakside of the formation. On that side, the Bills have just four defenders. The Patriots have them outnumbered with five blockers (David Andrews, Ted Karras, Isaiah Wynn, Harry and Jakob Johnson) plus Harris, so they have a big advantage to that side.
It's a typical Patriots crack play where Harry's job is to take out the end. It's still unbelievable to me that other teams are not ready for this. The Patriots run this every week.
From there, the key blocks are by Andrews with a scoop block on the nose — he completely turns him. Perfect. Karras is free to get out on MLB Tremaine Edmunds, who further takes himself out of the play by overrunning it. And Shaq Mason takes out the strongside linebacker. Johnson takes the weakside linebacker, and Harris reads his block. Micah Hyde overruns the play as well, and Harris is off to the races.
Great read and cutback by Harris. Great execution by the Patriots, but also really poor fundamental play from the Bills from even before the snap.
3Q: 2-9-BUF 31 (1:54) R.Stevenson right tackle to BUF 21 for 10 yards (J.Poyer).
To me, this was one of the biggest plays of the game that no one is talking about. If the Patriots don't convert here, they might have to punt into the wind if — a big if — Sean McDermott decides to use a timeout before the end of the third quarter. Instead, Stevenson and the Patriots convert right here to make sure the game flips to the fourth quarter and that sets up the Patriots' final points — a 34-yard field goal — to make the score 14-10.
The Patriots use the exact same personnel and formation as the Harris' TD run. Again, the Patriots have good numbers to the right side of the formation where they have five blockers for five defenders. Hat on a hat is what you're looking for and Stevenson is responsible for beating the free safety.
Again, LB Matt Milano is improperly aligned. If he's a bit more toward Jonnu Smith, he has a chance to ruin this play. He also decides not to run through when Mason pulls.
Trent Brown blocks down to his left, allowing Mason to pull. Onwenu makes the key block reaching the end, allowing Smith to angle off Milano. Both Milano and Edmunds get caught inside. Mason kicks out the corner. And then Stevenson finishes off the run like he always does to pick up the first down.
This was a huge, huge conversion given the time of the game and the wind. It was equal parts great execution by the Patirots, and the Bills just not being disciplined enough.
4Q: 1-10-NE 14 (2:30) D.Singletary right guard to NE 13 for 1 yard (D.Godchaux, D.Hightower).
2-9-NE 13 (2:15) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass incomplete short right to S.Diggs.
3-9-NE 13 (2:11) (Shotgun) PENALTY on BUF-D.Knox, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at NE 13 - No Play.
3-14-NE 18 (2:11) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass incomplete deep right to D.Knox (A.Phillips) [K.Van Noy].
4-14-NE 18 (2:00) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass incomplete deep middle to G.Davis (M.Bryant).
And the game all came down this sequence.
On first down, Kyle Van Noy setting the edge and Davon Godchaux owning C Mitch Morse again for a stop gives the Patriots a stuffed run. That sets the stage for the rest of the possession at 2nd and long.
On second down, Allen threw a beat too early to Stefon Diggs — because the Patriots brought faux pressure — on a back shoulder and the ball sailed into the wind.
Dawson Knox's false start was huge to make it 3rd and 14.
Third down was a typical Allen play. The protection was good enough and instead of waiting for Diggs to clear — his route was curiously slow, but he did get open with the Patriots anticipating a pass to him with robber coverage — Allen quickly tried to be a hero and left the pocket. With that decision, the only play with a chance was a prayer to Knox but Adrian Phillips makes a good play on his final appearance of the game (he came out right after that).
On fourth down, the Patriots bring an all-out blitz. The three Patriots coverage players were well off the receivers as they likely hoped Allen would throw quickly and short of the sticks, and the Patriots would rally for a game-saving tackle. Allen had two options: Beasley on a short slant, or Gabriel Davis on a deeper slant. Both are open if Allen holds strong and delivers a hard pass to either. But with McCourty coming free, Allen rushes the throw a little bit. Allen decides to throw a touch pass to Davis that is knocked down by the wind, and Bryant makes a heady play to go for the ball.
Great team defense, and Allen coming up just a bit short of being a great player.