(Adam Richins for BSJ)
FINAL: Bills 33, Patriots 21 - Patriots have no answer for Josh Allen, Buffalo offense
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots just could not stop Josh Allen and the Bills at key points. That was basically the game and the Patriots' hope for the division title as Bills wracked up 429 yards on their way to a 33-21 victory over the Patriots on Sunday.
The Bills' drives were TD, FG, downs at the 1 when Buffalo blew chances to score, TD, FG, TD, TD.
WR Isaiah McKenzie was the x-factor in the game as he roasted the Patriots and Myles Bryant for 11 catches on 12 targets for 125 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots' best chance at a victory came when JC Jackson dropped an errant Allen pass with 7:37 left when it was 27-21.
Patriots drop their second straight game to 9-6 and are now the 6th seed in the AFC.
Mac Jones could not keep pace as he was 14 of 32 for 145 yards and two interceptions (one in garbage time) for a 31.4 rating.
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Regular Season Game #15: Buffalo Bills (8-5) at Patriots (9-5), 1 p.m.
Location: Gillette Stadium
TV: WBZ-4. 4. Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (color), Evan Washburn (sidelines).
Radio: 98.5-FM The SportsHub in Boston. **Bedard will be on the postgame show approximately one hour after the game.**
Online: BSJ Live Box | Bills media notes | Patriots media notes | Flipcard
Latest Line: Patriots -1 (opened at -2.5), o/u 45.5.
Weather forecast: Pretty good, but cloudy and windy (not Buffalo windy).
HEADLINES
- The winner will have the inside track at the AFC East title.
- The Patriots enter this week’s game with a 9-5 record and will be aiming for their 27th 10-win season. Since the 1970 merger, the Patriots, Steelers and Cowboys are tied with 26 10-win seasons.
- The Patriots are second in the NFL behind Dallas (23) with 20 interceptions in 2021. In 2020, the Patriots tied for the NFL lead with Miami, New Orleans and Pittsburgh with 18 interceptions. The 2019 Patriots led the NFL with 25 interceptions
- The Patriots defense enters this week allowing 16.2 points per game, first in the NFL. Since 2001, the Patriots have recorded 13 seasons of 20.0 points allowed or fewer, tied for the second-most in the NFL during that span.
- Patriots media relations.
ROSTER MOVES
Patriots
- WR Kendrick Bourne tested off the Covid-19 list but DE Deatrich Wise went on it.
- DE Josh Uche activated off IR.
- DT Daniel Ekuale, CB D'Angelo Ross, WR Kristian Wilkerson elevated from practice squad.
- Patriots Inactives: Joshua Bledsoe, Nelson Agholor, Shaun Wade, Devin Asiasi, Jarrett Stidham, Joejuan Williams
- Bills Inactives: Matt Brieda, Tommy Sweeney, Star Lotulelei
Bills
- Activated starting LT Dion Dawkins from reserve/Covid-19 list, elevated DT Eli Ankou from the practice squad, and NT Star Lotulelei has been ruled out for Sunday's game.
Covid has hit the Buffalo coaching staff:
Jacques Cesaire will coach the defensive line in place of Eric Washington.
Matt Smiley will coach special teams in place of Heath Farwell.
INJURY REPORT
BEDARD'S KEYS TO THE GAME
- Keep Josh Alllen in the pocket and make him hold the ball in passing situations.
- Tackle Allen hard in the run game with Patriots' big defenders. Make him regret it early.
- Be careful of Mac Jones throwing too much in the wind.
- Pummel Buffalo in the run game and be ready for the their run-throughs against outside zone and power.
- Might need a trick play in this one.