‘Head coach Sean McDermott elected to try for a 50-yard field goal on 4th-and-1 from the Patriots’ 32-yard line, down a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Kicker Stephen Hauschka missed it, giving New England the ball at their own 40-yard line. They essentially put the game away with a touchdown seven plays later. But McDermott’s decision made it easier for that to happen. He had been aggressive and went for it on fourth down earlier in the game when it was tied. Even though it was still early in the fourth quarter, the offense had yet to score a touchdown and it was clear they were going to need one at some point. They needed one yard to gain. A field goal from 50 yards out in cold weather is tough for any kicker. And even if Hauschka had made it they would still be down four, and still needing a touchdown at some point.’
Archives for December 25, 2017
Bills run out of gas in 2nd half, fall to Patriots 37-16
‘The Bills failed to score an offensive touchdown, their only six points coming from Hyde’s pick-six.’
Joe B: 7 observations from Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots (12/24/17)
‘If the team can’t shake off the feeling that they were slighted the last time around, that’s at least a small percentage that isn’t being attributed to the major task at hand. McDermott, although he’s mad now, has to nip this in the bud immediately.’
Bills fall short in New England with 37-16 loss
‘Tyrod Taylor tossed for 281 yards but was sacked five times by the Patriots.’
Bills drop frustrating game against Patriots
‘For the 14th time since the building opened, the Bills came up short against their AFC rival 37-16 on Sunday, but the final score fails to tell the whole story. The game was tied at 16 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter before the Patriots pulled away.’
Pitoniak: Upon further review, Bills still can’t beat Patriots, need help for playoffs
But as rancid as the reversal was, it didn’t cost the Bills the game. The harsh reality is that despite a spirited effort for nearly three quarters Sunday in Foxborough, they proved once more they aren’t talented enough to go toe-to-toe with their AFC East rivals for a full 60 minutes. The Patriots scored 24 points in the final 25 minutes. Their 37-16 victory marked the 14th time in the past 16 games they’ve beaten the Bills at Gillette Stadium.’
A narrow, but still very plausible path to the playoffs for the Buffalo Bills
‘There are two ways in which Buffalo can end the 17-year playoff drought. Both involve beating the Dolphins in the week 17 finale.’
Bills week 17 matchup in Miami flexed to 4:25 pm
‘Buffalo had its regular season finale in Miami flexed to 4:25 pm. The other games that matter to the Bills playoff picture (Baltimore vs Cincinnati, Oakland at L.A, Jacksonville at Tennessee) were also flexed to 4:25.’
Bills Suffer Predictable 37-16 Loss In New England
‘The Bills came to play and fought the Patriots hard but you can’t win against the mighty Patriots when the have the league office in their pockets. They have now had very controversial touchdowns called back against the Bills, Steelers, Texans, and Jets this year. Would they have won if the Benjamin touchdown counted? Maybe not but it would have been nice to see how it turned out. Nothing has come easy in this playoff drought so getting there won’t be either. They need to win next week and get some help. Can they do it? History tells me it won’t happen even if they take care of their own business next week.’
Week 16: Defense Played Well Early But Faltered Late
‘Rick Dennison couldn’t get his offense moving. Why throw the ball so often when Shady is running well and is the man the offense should be revolving around? Throwing a low percentage deep sideline pass on a big 3rd and 4 late in the first half was idiotic. Throwing twice in a row on the goal line was wrong as well.’
Patriots second-half surge sinks Bills
‘New England scored the last 24 points of the game in route to a 37-16 win over Buffalo.’
What they’re saying: Bills react to missed opportunities in loss to New England
‘“I guess they had good schemes. We definitely have to do better when we get down into the red zone punching it in. It’s just something we have to work on, moving forward as a team.”’
Bills need a win and some help in Week 17
‘It’s not impossible, but after Buffalo’s loss to the Patriots to fall to 8-7 on the season, the Bills must beat the Dolphins in Miami next week and get some help to nail down one of the two AFC Wild Card playoff berths.’
Bills Today: Tre’Davious shares why you should be confident in Buffalo
‘“You guys should be confident in us because of the way we’re preparing. We’ve seen the Patriots before,” said White. “We know they’re going to give us something different. They’re going to be themselves also, and we’re going to be ourselves.”’