‘The game included five quarterbacks altogether – Allen, Maye, Milton, Trubisky and Bills No. 3 quarterback, Mike White, who came in at quarterback with 1:00 left in the third quarter, though he had played a couple of snaps at wide receiver earlier in the game. White saw his first game action since Dec. 31, 2023, when he played five snaps for the Miami Dolphins in a 56-19 loss to the Ravens.’
Archives for January 2025
Plays that shaped the game: Ray Davis’ TD catch gave the Bills an all-time first in NFL history
‘Davis caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the second quarter. That was the 30th touchdown pass of the season for Buffalo. Coupled with 32 rushing touchdowns on the season, the Bills became the first team in NFL history with 30 passing touchdowns and 30 rushing touchdowns in one season.’
Report Card: How the Buffalo Bills coaches pressed all the right buttons, even in defeat
‘Tyler Bass missed another extra-point attempt – his fifth miss of the season. Bass also had five field-goal misses on 29 attempts in the regular season. Put simply, he is a concern going into the playoffs. Brandon Codrington returned two kickoffs for 62 yards. He continues to look close to taking one to the house. Sam Martin punted four times for an average of 40.8 yards. Ja’Marcus Ingram made an excellent play to prevent the ball from going into the end zone and allowing it to be downed at the New England 6-yard line. Everything is magnified in the playoffs, so plays like that are what the Bills will need next week and moving forward.’
Bills backups lose but Buffalo goes into playoffs healthy and costs Patriots’ No. 1 pick
‘We use the word loss loosely in this case. The team that really lost was the Patriots because by heroically winning their fourth game of a putrid season, they chef-kissed away the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a division rival, this made losing the game a very nice consolation prize for the Bills.’
Bills report card: Buffalo reserves have a blast despite falling to Patriots
‘Trubisky took over and all in all, it wasn’t too bad. He started poorly by failing to gain a yard on back-to-back QB sneaks which became a turnover on downs, but eventually he settled in and actually looked competent. The numbers weren’t great as he completed 15 of 21 for just 101 yards, but he played turnover-free.’
Patriots fumble the first overall pick in meaningless win over Bills (Takeaways)
‘But instead of sending Bass on for the field goal try, Bills coach Sean McDermott opted to punt the ball. Punter Sam Martin was one punt away from reaching a contract incentive if he could land the punt inside the Patriots’ 20-yard line.’
Bills’ Ja’Marcus Ingram reveals what punter Sam Martin is doing for him after securing incentive
‘“He said he was going to take me out to dinner,” Ingram shared with the media. “I’m looking forward to it. I eat a lot.”’
Bills lose battle to Patriots, but win war by costing NE No. 1 overall pick draft (Encouraged/worried)
‘There wasn’t much to be worried about in a meaningless game, but Tyler Bass gave Bills fans a few reasons to panic on Sunday. Bass missed an extra point and had one kickoff land short of the landing zone. Bass cannot make mistakes like that starting next week in the playoffs.’
Bills vs. Broncos is set: 5 thoughts on Buffalo’s Wild Card playoff matchup
‘The Bills face off against Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, who’s had a sensational rookie campaign. He’s scored 33 total touchdowns (29 passing and four rushing) on the season with 12 interceptions. Nix faces the Bills for the first time and goes against a Sean McDermott defense that has historically been brutal to play against for rookie quarterbacks.’
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: Date and time set for Super Wild Card Weekend matchup
‘Buffalo will host Denver at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, January 12 at 1 p.m. on CBS.’
Patriots beat Bills JV, Buffalo falls short of AFC East sweep
‘On the first defensive series of the game, edge rusher Von Miller recorded his sixth sack on third and lock, helping the future Hall of Famer hit a $1.5 million incentive.’
Five Takeaways: Bills’ second team falls to Patriots. Who will BUF face in WC round?
‘This was always going to be the case, as the Bills had next to nothing to play for on Sunday and it was a no-brainer to rest as many key players as the team could against a New England Patriots team that some college teams may be able to compete with. Rest the starters, give some depth players a chance to compete for future roles and look ahead to your first postseason matchup in the coming days.’
Sabato: The Bills had a record-setting regular season, but they will be judged by what happens next
‘But the Bills are a team now judged on postseason success. Just as it was assumed the Bills would lose their grip on the division, they were once the team picked to dethrone the Chiefs, only to falter in the divisional round three years in a row.’
Monday’s New England Coverage
Patriots’ win over the Bills turned out to be Jerod Mayo’s final revenge (Boston Globe)
While clouds hang over the Patriots, Joe Milton III’s future looks bright after a winning NFL debut (Boston Globe)
Rookie report: Drake Maye plays one series in Patriots’ finale, giving way for Joe Milton to see first action (Boston Globe)
Jerod Mayo should have been fired for playing to win, which really stuck it to the Patriots (Boston Globe)
Here is a look at the 2025 Patriots’ opponents (Boston Globe)
Here’s what Jerod Mayo said in his final postgame press conference for the Patriots (Boston Globe)
Jerod Mayo fired as Patriots head coach after tumultuous rookie season (Boston Globe)
Read Robert Kraft’s statement after the firing of Patriots coach Jerod Mayo (Boston Globe)
In Jerod Mayo’s case, nice guys really do finish last (Boston Globe)
Robert Kraft went against his gut instinct, but he had no choice in firing coach Jerod Mayo (Boston Globe)
Patriots coaching candidates: Beyond Mike Vrabel, who might be a good fit? Here are names to watch. (Boston Globe)
Patriots lose No. 1 overall pick by beating Bills: Takeaways from 23-16 win (Boston Herald)
Rookie QB Joe Milton III surprises with impressive performance in Patriots win (Boston Herald)
Patriots sit Drake Maye for rookie QB Joe Milton III after one series vs. Bills (Boston Herald)
Patriots’ 2025 opponents set following most Week 18 results (Boston Herald)
Patriots fire coach Jerod Mayo after one season (Boston Herald)
Patriots owner Robert Kraft releases statement explaining Jerod Mayo’s firing (Boston Herald)
Callahan: Firing Jerod Mayo, the Patriots did right at the end of a season gone wrong (Boston Herald)
Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson among Patriots’ next head-coaching candidates (Boston Herald)
Source: Eliot Wolf expected to remain as Patriots’ de facto GM (Boston Herald)
5 Patriots takeaways from Joe Milton’s debut win over Bills (Springfield Republican)
Here are 3 reasons why Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills (Springfield Republican)
After week of speculation, Patriots change quarterbacks after 1 drive (Springfield Republican)
A backflip and a breakthrough: Joe Milton made the most of his 1st NFL game (Springfield Republican)
QB corner: Joe Milton III makes smashing debut after relieving Drake Maye (Springfield Republican)
After dissing fans, Patriots’ leading tackler got benched for 1 quarter | NickNacks (Springfield Republican)
Jerod Mayo salvages one last win, but Patriots lose No. 1 pick | What Happened? (Springfield Republican)
Patriots fire Jerod Mayo after win over Bills (Springfield Republican)
How Patriots cost themselves No. 1 draft pick (Springfield Republican)
Robert Kraft’s statement on Patriots decision to fire Jerod Mayo (Springfield Republican)
What to know about Patriots canning coach Jerod Mayo (Springfield Republican)
Players lobbied for Jerod Mayo, but braced for chance he wouldn’t return (Springfield Republican)
What they’re saying nationally after Patriots fire Jerod Mayo (Springfield Republican)
Rob Gronkowski floats Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels Patriots reunion (Springfield Republican)
Top 5 coaching candidates for Patriots (Springfield Republican)
All signs point to Robert Kraft picking Mike Vrabel | Karen Guregian (Springfield Republican)
Robert Kraft’s legacy on the line as he picks next Patriots coach | Matt Vautour (Springfield Republican)
Robert Kraft can’t make same mistake again | Mark Daniels (Springfield Republican)
Robert Kraft swallows pride, makes right call to fire Jerod Mayo | Chris Mason (Springfield Republican)
Milton leads Patriots past Bills in regular-season finale, sacrificing top draft pick (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)
Patriots fire Jerod Mayo, Alex Van Pelt after one season (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)
Joe Milton Day puts bow on strange year (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)
Belichick took common sense with him (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)
Front row seat to Pats malaise: Long-time season ticket-holder vents and hopes (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)
Patriots don’t hesitate, fire Mayo after season finale (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)
Mayo’s sudden firing a sign the gory days just continue (Nashua Telegraph)
Jerod Mayo fired by New England Patriots after only one season as coach (USA Today)
By firing Jerod Mayo, Patriots position themselves to pursue Mike Vrabel’s return as coach (USA Today)
Patriots coaching candidates: Mike Vrabel, best options to replace Jerod Mayo (USA Today)
Patriots fire coach Jerod Mayo shortly after beating Bills to finish his lone season at 4-13 (AP)
Patriots fire Jerod Mayo after final win loses franchise No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft (Fox News)
Patriots QB Joe Milton III finds Kayshon Boutte for 48-yard TD (ESPN)
Patriots fire Jerod Mayo after finishing 4-13 in lone season (ESPN)
Why the Patriots fired coach Jerod Mayo after one season (ESPN)
Patriots coach Jerod Mayo’s roller-coaster first season (ESPN)
Patriots fire Jerod Mayo after first season in New England post-Bill Belichick (CBS Sports)
Patriots fire Jerod Mayo: Rob Gronkowski blasts New England for cutting ties with head coach after one season (CBS Sports)
Mike Vrabel interviewed with Jets to put pressure on Patriots, could be eyeing move to New England in 2025 (CBS Sports)
2025 Patriots head coaching candidates: Mike Vrabel headlines potential replacements for Jerod Mayo (CBS Sports)
Joe Milton III Celebrates First NFL Touchdown With Sweet Backflip in End Zone (SI)
How Patriots’ Win Over Bills Affects 2025 NFL Draft Order (SI)
Patriots Fire Head Coach Jerod Mayo After One Season (SI)
Rob Gronkowski Reacts to Patriots Firing Jerod Mayo, Hints At Hiring Mike Vrabel (SI)
With Jerod Mayo Fired After One Season, Robert Kraft Needs to Hire Mike Vrabel (SI)
Patriots fail to complete the tank, beat Bills 23-16 in season finale (The Sporting News)
Patriots replace Drake Maye with Joe Milton III after just one drive vs. Bills (The Sporting News)
Veteran Patriots tight end earns $125,000 bonus in Week 18 vs. Bills (The Sporting News)
Patriots opponents set for the 2025 season (The Sporting News)
NFL Draft standings, explained: How Joe Milton spoiled Patriots’ 2025 No. 1 pick with win, Titans loss (The Sporting News)
Where are the Patriots in the 2025 NFL draft order after beating Bills? (The Sporting News)
Patriots fire Jerod Mayo after just one season as their head coach (The Sporting News)
Why did the Patriots fire Jerod Mayo? Lack of improvement, locker room issues among problems in New England (The Sporting News)
Patriots owner Robert Kraft apologizes to fans in statement on firing Jerod Mayo (The Sporting News)
Patriots firing Jerod Mayo is strong evidence they wanted Mike Vrabel all along (The Sporting News)
8 best Patriots coaching candidates to replace Jerod Mayo, from Mike Vrabel to Ben Johnson (The Sporting News)
Patriots expected to keep Eliot Wolf as EVP of player personnel (The Sporting News)
Joe Milton’s Surprise Debut For Patriots Successful For Rookie Quarterback (NESN)
Patriots Defend Losing First Overall Pick With Meaningless Win Vs. Bills (NESN)
Bill Simmons Dumps On ‘Incompetent’ Patriots After Win Over Bills (NESN)
Patriots Opponents For 2025 Season Set After Disastrous Campaign (NESN)
Patriots Went To Bat For Jerod Mayo Just Minutes Before Firing (NESN)
Did Mike Vrabel’s Jets Interview Pressure Patriots To Fire Jerod Mayo? (NESN)
How Jerod Mayo Firing Reportedly Will Impact Patriots’ Eliot Wolf (NESN)
Why Coaching Run Could Unfairly Tarnish Jerod Mayo’s Patriots Legacy (NESN)
NFL Coaches, Execs Reportedly Pointed Out These Jerod Mayo Mistakes (NESN)
Franchise Legend Weighs In On Patriots’ Decision To Fire Jerod Mayo (NESN)
Patriots’ Robert Kraft Deserves Credit For This Aspect Of Jerod Mayo Firing (NESN)
Rob Gronkowski Weighs In On Patriots Firing Jerod Mayo (NESN)
Patriots Rumors: ‘Wide-Ranging Search’ To Include These Coaching Candidates (NESN)
Patriots Rumors: ‘Front-Runner’ For Head Coach After Jerod Mayo Fired (NESN)
Report From Jets Insider Adds Even More Fuel To Mike Vrabel-Patriots Fire (NESN)
NFL Insider Weighs Patriots Chances In Competitive Mike Vrabel Sweepstakes (NESN)
Pros, Cons If Patriots Hire Mike Vrabel To Replace Jerod Mayo (NESN)
Do Patriots Check Ben Johnson’s Boxes For Reported Head Coaching Criteria? (NESN)
Patriots Rumors: Local Product Floated As Head Coaching Candidate (NESN)
Joe Milton III shines in Patriots’ surprising Week 18 win vs. Bills (NBC Sports Boston)
2025 NFL Draft order: Patriots own No. 4 pick after Week 18 win (NBC Sports Boston)
Breer: How falling to No. 4 pick in 2025 draft could hurt Patriots (NBC Sports Boston)
Patriots fire Mayo as Kraft makes swift decision about team’s future (NBC Sports Boston)
Jerod Mayo firing shows urgency, but Krafts’ work has just begun (NBC Sports Boston)
Ted Johnson: Krafts deserve credit for ‘right decision’ with Mayo (NBC Sports Boston)
Mike Vrabel? Ben Johnson? Potential candidates for Patriots HC job (NBC Sports Boston)
Ups & Downs as Patriots blow opportunity for No. 1 pick (WEEI-FM)
Patriots’ loss of No. 1 draft pick with Bills win has to motivate sweeping change (WEEI-FM)
Patriots fire Jerod Mayo after one season as head coach (WEEI-FM)
Instant reaction to Jerod Mayo firing: ‘He was not ready for this job’ (WEEI-FM)
Patriots ownership shows necessary urgency in moving on from Jerod Mayo (WEEI-FM)
Patriots fire OC Alex Van Pelt after one season (WEEI-FM)
Patriots end season with win over Bills, significantly affecting draft slot (WBZ-FM)
5 takeaways from the Patriots’ season-ending win over the Bills (WBZ-FM)
Patriots finally know where they pick in 2025 NFL Draft (WBZ-FM)
First four Patriots picks set in 2025 NFL Draft (WBZ-FM)
Patriots officially moving on from Jerod Mayo (WBZ-FM)
What should the Patriots prioritize when hiring their next head coach? (WBZ-FM)
Patriots beat the Bills in Week 18, costing New England the No. 1 overall pick (WBZ-TV)
Joe Milton shines in NFL debut, leading Patriots to costly Week 18 win over Bills (WBZ-TV)
Jahlani Tavai benched for first quarter of Patriots’ Week 18 game vs. Bills (WBZ-TV)
Patriots squander chance at No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft, will pick fourth after beating Bills (WBZ-TV)
Jerod Mayo fired as head coach of the New England Patriots (WBZ-TV)
Who could the Patriots hire to be team’s next head coach? (WBZ-TV)
Rapid Recap: Milton Leads Patriots to Season-Ending Win (Patriots.com)
Game Observations: Eight Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over the Bills in Sunday’s Season Finale (Patriots.com)
Game Notes: Joe Milton III Played In His First Career NFL Game (Patriots.com)
Statement from Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft (Patriots.com)
New England Patriots Postgame Quotes 1/5 (Patriots.com)
Buffalo Bills Postgame Quotes 1/5 (Patriots.com)
Photo gallery 1 (Patriots.com)
Photo gallery 2 (Patriots.com)
Photo gallery 1 (Buffalo News)
Photo gallery 2 (Buffalo News)
Photo gallery (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Monday’s Denver Coverage
Broncos vs. Bills kickoff time set for NFL playoffs wild-card game (Denver Post)
Denver Broncos will face Buffalo Bills in Wild Card round of playoffs (The Sporting News)
Denver Broncos: Time, date for Wild Card matchup vs. Buffalo Bills confirmed (The Sporting News)
NFL announces date and time for Broncos return to playoffs vs Bills (KKFN-FM)
Broncos’ wild-card matchup vs. Bills set for Sunday, Jan. 12 on CBS (DenverBroncos.com)