The Patriots faced a tough challenge against the Bills, particularly when it came to covering the rushing game. Early in the match, Buffalo’s James Cook jogged into the end zone for a touchdown, showing how effective their “mesh” play can be. The Pats struggled to keep up, with linebacker Christian Elliss having a hard time covering Cook from the middle to the edge.
Despite ramping up their man coverage to 51.5%, New England couldn’t stop the Bills’ offensive momentum. The lack of turnovers and key stops in crucial moments ultimately led to their loss. What stood out was how crucial field position became in this tight game.
Special teams played a major role in the outcome. Kickoff coverage issues plagued the Patriots, allowing Bills’ running back Ray Davis to make two impressive returns of 58 and 45 yards. These too easily positioned his team for quick scores. Conversely, when New England’s Kyle Williams managed a 60-yard return, it was called back due to a holding penalty. Field position was critical, and the Bills definitely had the upper hand.
The Patriots’ run defense has also faltered lately, particularly against strong teams. Against the Bills, Cook amassed 107 rushing yards, showcasing the Patriots’ struggle to maintain a solid defense. Since Week 10, they have ranked last in rush success rate allowed at 53.3%. The team hopes to regain key players like Milton Williams and Robert Spillane in upcoming games to improve their defense.
Meanwhile, the offensive line showed promise, limiting the Bills to a 17.2% pressure rate. This was their fourth different lineup of the season, with rookie Jared Wilson returning to the left guard position. Despite a few penalties that disrupted progress, the line held strong, enabling a 59% rushing success rate.
In the backfield, rookie running back Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson shared the field for certain plays, even though Stevenson had more snaps overall. Stevenson is often counted on in third-down situations because of his pass protection skills, while Henderson proved his speed again with a long touchdown run. These dual back sets could become a defining feature of the Patriots’ strategy moving forward.
The upcoming games will be crucial for New England as they face top-tier opponents like the Ravens and Derrick Henry. Adjustments in both special teams and defense strategies will be vital for any success. The conversation around the Patriots’ performance on social media reflects growing concern yet also a sense of hope for the future as the team seeks to overcome these challenges.
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Game Observations,Postgame Analysis,Postgame-Content,Analysis,hp-article,hp-featured,Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (2025-REG-15)
