FINAL: Bills 35, Patriots 23 - NE fights hard but can't overcome 2 KO return TDs taken at BSJ Headquarters (Patriots)

(Getty Images)

Patriots

FINAL: Bills 35, Patriots 23 - NE fights hard but can't overcome 2 KO return TDs

By Greg A. Bedard

Jan 8, 2023 • 2:42 am

0comment-bubble

Patriots battled on offense and defense, but at the end they couldn't overcome two kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Mac Jones and the passing offense played well for much of the game, but two red zone interceptions (three total) will be a blemish.

Patriots finish 8-9. It's their second losing season and third-place AFC East finish in the past three seasons.


Regular-season Game #17: Patriots (8-8) at Buffalo Bills (12-3), 1 p.m. 
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
TV: CBS/WBZ-4. Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (color), Tracy Wolfson (sideline).
Radio: 98.5-FM The SportsHub in Boston. **Bedard will be on the postgame show approximately one hour after the game.**
Online: Live Box | Patriots media notes | Flipcard
BetOnline.ag Latest Line: Bills -7.5. O/U 43.5.
AccuWeather forecast: Cloudy, cool.

photoCaption-photoCredit


LAST WEEK

Patriots 23, Dolphins 21: The game-changing play was with Miami leading 14-10 in the third quarter. On third and long, Steve Belichick dialed up a nice trap coverage, Kyle Dugger read Teddy Bridgewater like a book, picked it off, and returned it for a 39-yard score. It was New England's 7th defensive score of the season, and the fourth-straight game with a defensive tally - both team records. The Patriots limited Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to a combined six catches for 90 yards until garbage time. Jakobi Meyers led the offense with six catches for 68 yards, the game-clinching score and a big defensive pass interference penalty that set it up.

Bills at Bengals, canceled: Safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field in the first quarter with the Bengals leading 7-3. The game was not resumed.

STATS

photoCaption-photoCredit
photoCaption-photoCredit


ROSTER MOVES

  • Patriots announced LB Calvin Munson and TE Matt Sokol have been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.
  • CB Jack Jones and P Jake Bailey were placed on reserve/suspended.
  • CB Jalen Mills and TE Jonnu Smith were ruled out.
  • Bills elevated WR John Brown from the practice squad 

INJURY REPORT

photoCaption-photoCredit

PREGAME READING/LISTENING

GAME PLAN POINTS

1. Invite the run: Patriots should just dare the Bills to run the ball, ala Peyton Manning, by playing with seven defensive backs most of the game. Roll the dice. Have Jabrill Peppers/Mack Wilson/Raekwon McMillan play middle linebacker, play three deep (McCourty, Bryant, Dugger) and play five coverage players underneath to take away the little 5-yard slants and hitches the Bills overly rely on. Come on, Bill. You have a whole year to get ready for this. You're healthy on defense. Please tell me you have something up your sleeve other than the same old stuff.

2. Take Diggs away: I don't care if you play 9 on 10 with a constant double team — he's really the only weapon for Allen. Take him out of the game.

3. Spy Allen: When it gets to third down, one athlete has to be assigned to Allen as a spy. I don't care about their coverage. Allen is most dangerous when he's running around. Keep him in the pocket.

4. THROW THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD. Stop coaching scared. Go for broke. 

GAME PICK

BetOnline.ag Line: Bills -6.5. O/U: 43.5.

Bedard's record: 14-2 straight up, 13-3 vs. spread

Sure, I wrote that they have a chance, like the Ravens. But this would be much more shocking — at least the Ravens had an offense that could score (413 total yards).

If the Patriots can score enough to stay in the game, Belichick should go buy some MegaMillions tickets.

Bedard's Pick: Bills 33, Patriots 17

Show Comments
0
Show comments for this article