Site icon Built in Buffalo

Bills at Patriots: The good and bad from Week 15

Daniel Adams
Bills_Patriots_Dec_14

Sarah Stier, Getty Images

The Buffalo Bills took on the New England Patriots on the road in Week 15 and came out victorious, 35-31.

The Bills offense was led by Josh Allen’s versatility, along with James Cook’s knack for finding the end zone. Buffalo’s defense turned it around in the second half after allowing 24 in the first half, allowing only one touchdown in the final 30 minutes.

The Bills needed this win to still have a chance at the number one spot in the AFC East. Buffalo is now 10-4 on the season, and one game behind the Patriots (11-3) in the division.

Below is the good and bad from Buffalo’s Week 15 win:  

The good  

Josh Allen  

Allen and the Bills offense got off to a slow start in the first half, but by the second half, Buffalo’s offense turned it up. Allen finished 19/28 for 193 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. Allen also beat the Patriots with his legs, carrying the ball 11 times for 48 rushing yards.  

Allen is proving his case for MVP as Buffalo continues to prove they can stack wins with this offense.  

James Cook  

Cook had a great game for Buffalo on Sunday and was the largest contributor in their win. Cook finished with 22 carries for 107 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, along with a receiving touchdown. He was sensational in Buffalo’s victory, and without him the Bills would not have had the success that they do. He is currently averaging five yards per carry, which is top six in the NFL, and has 1,308 rushing yards on the season, which is second in the league. Cook continues to be one of the biggest pieces on the Bills offense and is a huge reason Buffalo has won their last three games.  

Dawson Knox  

Bills tight end Dawson Knox once again had a great week. Last week against Cincinnati, Knox had over 90 receiving yards. This week, he had two touchdowns on three receptions for 37 yards. Knox has been one of the most reliable targets for Allen in the past few weeks, and it is paying off when he looks his way. With his receiving touchdowns in this game, Knox is now the Bills’ all-time tight end leader in touchdowns, with 26. 

Khalil Shakir  

Khalil Shakir led Buffalo in both receiving yards and receptions on Sunday against New England. Shakir finished the game with five receptions for 65 yards, averaging 13 yards per reception. Shakir continues to be one of Allen’s most reliable targets and has come through when it matters.  

Matt Milano  

Bills linebacker Matt Milano had a great performance against the Patriots. Milano led Buffalo in tackles with 10 total, nine solo, two tackles for loss, and two sacks on Drake Maye. Milano had a great game against a solid New England offense, shutting them out in coverage and having good contain on Maye.  

Ray Davis  

Bills running back Ray Davis was an asset in Buffalo’s special teams’ unit and has had continued success as a kick returner. Davis finished the game with four returns, totaling 164 yards, averaging 41 yards per return, his longest return being 58 yards. He set up the Bills offense with great field position multiple times which led to points.  

The bad  

First-half offense  

The Bills’ first-half offense was lackluster, only putting up a touchdown in two quarters. The offense struggled to get the ball moving the entire first half, which is starting to become consistent week-to-week for Buffalo. Allen finished the half with 35 passing yards as the offense finished with 76 total yards.  

First-half defense  

The Bills’ first-half defense was worse than their offense, allowing over 280 total yards in just two quarters. New England’s run game dominated Buffalo’s defense early and often, rushing for 177 yards and three touchdowns, two of them being from Drake Maye. Maye also finished with over 100 yards passing in the first half. Buffalo ended the first half being down 24-7 on the road but turned the game around in the second half.  

Run defense  

Buffalo’s run defense struggled to maintain New England’s backfield. TreVeyon Henderson had a great day for himself against Buffalo’s defense. He finished the game with 14 carries for 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns, his longest run being a 65-yard touchdown as the Bills had little contain. The Bills run defense continues to be a problem for them as there is not enough physicality up front, and the missed tackles start to add up.  

Exit mobile version