Bills vs Patriots: The Good and The Bad

The Buffalo Bills fell short of victory on Sunday against their division rivals, the New England Patriots. The Bills put up 25 points to the Patriots 29 points, in a game that came down to the wire. The Bills are now 4-3 on the year which doesn’t help their cause in the AFC East division.

The Good 

James Cook

A player that stood out amongst the rest is running back James Cook. Cook had a good game on the ground finishing with 13 carries for 56 yards but it’s through the air where Cook had 3 receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown. 

Cook found ways to find space in the run game and create separation in the pass game. Cook was heavily a receiving back in college at Georgia, he showed his versatility in both the run and pass game today. 

Dalton Kincaid 

Bills rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid had a good game today, leading the Bills receivers in receptions and yards with 8 receptions for 75 yards. Kincaid was a reliable target for Josh Allen when he needed him and tacked on extra yards on top of his receptions for big gains.

The Bad 

Josh Allen

Josh Allen played a very poor game today against the Patriots. Allen’s first pass of the day was an interception directly to safety Jabrill Peppers that was intended for tight end Dawson Knox. The miscommunication between Josh Allen and the offense started early and often, not scoring a touchdown until the third quarter.

Allen finished the day 27/41 for 265 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Allen got involved on the ground as well finishing the game with 7 rushes for 17 yards and a touchdown. 

Run Defense 

New England’s backfield was very reliable for the Patriots when they needed it. Patriots starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson finished the game with 9 carries for 34 yards, backup Ezekiel Elliott finished with 11 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots split backfield seemed to work throughout the day for them and helped them control the pace of the game. 

The Bills recently lost linebacker Matt Milano to a leg injury which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2023 NFL season. The Bills definitely needed the fire that Milano brings today in their efforts to beat the Patriots. 

Pass Defense 

The Bills secondary was beat all day long against the Patriots receivers. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne led the Patriots offense with 6 receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. Demario Douglas also had a very well played game being there for the Patriots when they needed him finishing with 4 receptions for 54 yards. 

The Bills secondary failed to stop Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki who caught the game winning touchdown with twelve seconds remaining in the game. 

The Bills recently lost cornerback Tre’ Devious White to a non-contact injury which leaves the Bills secondary without him for the remainder of the 2023 NFL season. The Bills really could’ve used White today as their secondary allowed 272 receiving yards. 

Tyler Bass 

Bills kicker Tyler Bass didn’t have the best game kicking. Bass attempted 2 field goals and missed one of them wide right of the goal post. 

The Bills have fallen flat since their trip to London going 1-2 in that time span and only beating the Giants by a last second defensive effort. Buffalo has got to clean up their scrappy offensive play and have to stay stout defensively. The Bills will look to bounce back in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.