The Buffalo Bills may have punched their ticket to the postseason with a 24-21 victory over the rival New England Patriots on Sunday, but head coach Sean McDermott knows significant work remains before his squad is truly playoff-ready. Sloppy, inconsistent play, especially in the first half, left McDermott visibly frustrated after the game, even as he acknowledged that a win is a win in the NFL.
Second Half Surge Saves the Day
The Bills fell behind 14-0 early as the Patriots moved the ball at will, converting numerous third and fourth downs to sustain long scoring drives. Buffalo’s usually explosive offense sputtered, managing just two first half possessions. It took a strong second half, fueled by timely defensive turnovers and a revitalized rushing attack behind rookie James Cook, to turn the tide and allow the Bills to escape with the narrow win.
Third Down Woes Persist
Defensive struggles on third down have become a recurring issue for Buffalo, especially with multiple starters out of the lineup. The Patriots converted a concerning 7-of-8 third down attempts in the first half, many coming in third-and-long situations. Cornerback Cam Lewis pointed to this area as one the Bills must shore up going forward:
“First and second down, we got ’em, and we were stopping them. Just got them in third-and-long, we just didn’t get off the field. So, we just got to get better at getting off the field on third downs.”
– Cam Lewis, Bills cornerback
Establishing the Run Game
Buffalo’s offense found its footing in the second half by committing to the run, with 22 rushing attempts after just six in the first two quarters. Cook delivered the biggest plays, scoring on a 46-yard scamper and a 5-yard reception. His emergence adds a much-needed dimension to a Bills attack that has relied heavily on MVP candidate Josh Allen’s arm and legs.
Playoff Seeding Still Up for Grabs
At 12-3, the Bills remain in the hunt for the AFC’s top seed and the first-round bye and home-field advantage that comes with it. They’ll look to round into top form next week against another division rival, the New York Jets. As the stakes increase with each passing week, Buffalo understands now is the time to clean up the miscues and inconsistencies.
“We’ve got to find a way. Got to come out in the first half ready to play, and I don’t think that’s something that we did great today. Missed some opportunities. Wish I had a few back. That’s every game, but glad our defense and our special teams can step up.”
– Josh Allen, Bills quarterback
Championship teams find ways to win even when not at their best. The Bills showed that grit against New England. But they also showed that there’s still a gap between their current form and the level they’ll need to reach to turn Super Bowl dreams into reality. The coming weeks will determine if they can bridge it in time.
