FOXBOROUGH - Looks like the hats and t-shirts will have to stay in cellophane for at least one more week. The Patriots’ 10-game win streak came to an end on an afternoon that started out as a picturesque snow-globe Sunday but ended gray, dark, and a little grumpy.
“I mean, we weren't able to get any stops,” Mike Vrabel said. “When we had an opportunity to make a play, we weren't able to make it. Penalties. That's how this game goes. A few small plays make the difference. We were very prepared for this team to ... we were going to need 60 minutes to beat this team. This is a good football team. We had a lot of good football in there. And we had a lot of plays that - a few plays - we'd like to have back that we'll have to learn from.”
There’s no denying that those good plays exist. But roughly 95% of them came in the first half, when Drake Maye was dazzling, out Josh Allen-ing Josh Allen, or hell, just being the best Drake Maye he is/could be. After the break was an entirely different story. Not only did Allen remind everyone why he’s the reigning NFL MVP, but the Pats’ 2nd year signal caller struggled to make plays, either with his arm or his legs.
“Came out in the second half and just gotta make a play, pick up the first first down, I think that's the biggest thing,” Maye (14-of-23, 155 yards, INT) said. “Were some throws I wish I had back, but at the end of the day gotta keep the foot on the pedal and keep it going and kind of don't let them dictate. It starts with me. ... Just gotta make a play and do my part when we had the ball and a chance to win the game, go win the game.”
At first blush, the Bills didn’t shelve their defensive game plan, even after getting their teeth kicked in during the first 30 minutes. They continued to pressure, and whatever magic Maye and the offense had in the first half all but vanished. The Pats had five possessions but ran just