BSJ Game Report: Patriots 23, Bills 20 - Vrabel's team gets signature win behind Maye, Diggs and defense

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

HEADLINES

Drake Maye outduels Josh Allen down the stretch: The first half was about as forgettable a half of football that you'll see, especially for the Bills, who shot themselves in the foot with eight accepted penalties and two fumbles on their first two possessions as the Patriots led 6-3 at halftime.

The second half was a completely different game, and what I figured we would see for the duration. But sometimes, football games are just weird.

In the second half, Maye was a sensational 13 of 14 for 184 yards and led the Patriots on three successive scoring drives (end of first half field goal, touchdown, touchdown). And then, with the score tied with 2:17 left, Maye led the Patriots on a seven-play, 37-yard drive that ended with a 52-yard field goal from Andy Borregales that put the Patriots ahead with 15 seconds remaining. Maye was 6 of 6 for 90 yards in the fourth quarter, and had some sensational plays, mostly to Stefon Diggs. 

"I think just a really gutty performance from Drake," said Mike Vrabel. "Really just continue to enjoy watching him grow and lead this football team. And it was good for us to - again, we'd love to have a win by two scores - but being able to come back and execute in a critical situation, take the clock down, you know, and win it on our terms."

Maye finished the game 22 of 30 (73.3%) for 273 yards and no touchdowns, no interceptions and four sacks (two of which he owned after the game). His +12.8 completion percentage over expected ranked fourth in the league in Week 5, two spots ahead of Allen.

Allen led three scoring drives in the second half (two touchdowns) in going 13 of 20 for 153 yards, 2 TDs, and an interception to Marcus Jones that Allen said he threw poorly behind Khalil Shakir. Allen finished 22 of 31 (71%) for 253 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT and ran for 53 yards.

Stefon Diggs torches Bills in Highmark return: This was the first time Diggs has been back to his former stomping grounds since his Bills-induced departure, and let's just say he enjoyed it. Diggs caught 10 of 12 passes for 146 yards with a long of 32. He had 62 yards after the catch, as his legs showed a lot more spring than in previous weeks. That was probably aided by his playing just 50% of the snaps.

Defense does its part, aided by the Bills: The big question going into this game was how the Patriots were going to be able to stop a Bills offense that was tops in overall DVOA, rush DVOA and third in passing. The Patriots had a much better plan in this one — they went with a beefier defensive line and put multiple linebackers on the field against the Bills' preferred multiple TE looks — and pretty much stunted the Bills' running game (20 for 65, 3.2 average without Allen). Patriots seemed to win the battle of the line of scrimmage and did a solid job of keeping Allen in the pocket. 

"They were making it hard to run," Allen said. "They were going to push up front. They had a good game plan. So we gotta adjust."

But the Bills also shot themselves in the foot with eight accepted penalties in the first half, and two fumbles (one was completely unforced on a bad handoff) in their first three possessions.

"We just played sloppy," Allen said. "Not gonna win a football game, turning the ball over three times in our red zone. Gave them one in their red zone. That's just bad, bad football, and we just did not play good tonight.

"We shouldn't have even been in it with three turnovers. So that's, again, just his poor offense."

TURNING POINT

The earlier play I posted, where Maye shrugs off DaQuan Jones, completes a 12-yard pass to Diggs to start the final drive. He could have been dropped for a 10-yard sack, and the Patriots would have been in a world of hurt. Not only did Maye avoid the sack, but he got 12 yards out of it. Amazing.

SECOND GUESS

Vrabel letting the clock go from 34 seconds to 18 seconds remaining in the first half to take his second timeout on second and goal from the 7. Kayson Boutte had a false start on 3rd and goal, and then from the 12, the Patriots got an end zone pass interference call on Tre'Davious White. But because Vrabel waited about 16 seconds to take his timeout, the Patriots had one play from the 1-yard line with four seconds left. Patriots could have had three tries from the 1 if Vrabel had acted earlier. The Patriots only got a field goal out of being at the Buffalo 7 with 37 seconds left and two timeouts remaining.

FOUR UP

WR Stefon Diggs: He was sensational from start to finish with 10 catches for 146 yards. The next three players on the Patriots (Hunter Henry, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas) combined for 7 catches for 106 yards.

QB Drake Maye: The only reason he's not No. 1 was because he had a pretty jittery first half in which he was 9 of 16 for 89 yards and two sacks that were on him. "They had some good pockets, you know," Maye said. "I think a lot of them were those sacks are my fault ... just got stay in the pocket and know that those guys are playing their butts off."

But Maye balled out in the second half.

"I didn't hurt the team," Maye said. "You know, made some plays, protected the football and gave us a chance to win and used my teammates around me, that's the biggest thing."

DT Milton Williams: Led the way for the defensive line with five total pressures and one sack where he only got half credit, but it was all him.

CB Marcus Jones: Had the interception and another big pass breakup on third down.

THREE DOWN

RB Rhamondre Stevenson: Had another fumble.

OT Vederian Lowe: Only played in short yardage, but he had a huge false start that led to a big punt with the Patriots leading 20-17. Bills tied it after the punt.

Second-half penalties: Patriots only had two penalties for 20 yards in the first half, but had six for 73 in the second half and it nearly cost them the game. Patriots had three mindless personal foul late-hit penalties: Brenden Schooler, Cory Durden and Joshua Farmer.

INJURIES

CB Carlton Davis (knee): Left but returned to the game.

RB Antonio Gibson (left knee): Had to be helped off, was quickly ruled out, and was seen on crutches after the game. If this isn't season-ending, it looked like it's going to be a while.

TOP PLAYS

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Yes, this was a statement win for Vrabel and Maye: Definitely thought the Patriots had a shot in this one, but figured it might be a little early for this young team and Maye. Nope, they were ready. And you got a guy in Maye. His second half ... he was doing Josh Allen things in Josh Allen's mug. I bet more than a few Bills fans were watching this and said, 'Oh crap, they have a guy like now too.'

Patriots have a chance to go on a run: New England is now just one game behind the Bills and now are at Saints (1-4), at Titans (1-4) and home to the Browns (1-4) before traveling to Tampa (4-1).

The Bills have at Falcons (2-2), at Panthers (2-3), home to the Chiefs (2-2), at Dolphins (1-4) and then host the Bucs (4-1). 

The rematch is scheduled for Dec. 7. Expect that to be flexed to either Sunday Night again (it's Texans at Chiefs right now) or 4:25 in place of Bengals at Bills.

Gameball to the defensive coaches: I've been hard on them, rightfully so. They finally hit on a defensive gameplan in this one, although the Bills were complicit in their own demise. Still, it was good to see that potential there. They definitely switched things up and had the Bills off guard in the first half. More of that please.