Patriots-Bills Ups & Downs: Mostly “down” to go around after another sloppy loss

Author Matt Dolloff

December 26th, 2021 4:55 PM

The Patriots didn’t just lose their second straight game. They played sloppy, undisciplined football for the second straight week, too, and in the biggest game of the season against a good opponent. Not ideal!!!

Outside of a couple good fourth-quarter drives, the Patriots offense struggled to consistently move the ball in this game. Defensively, the Patriots made a couple of good plays early, but ultimately couldn’t get stops against Josh Allen when they really needed them. The Buffalo offense gets a big check mark against the Pats’ D in this one.

The Patriots also committed a number of inexcusable penalties, on both sides of the ball. You can blame what looked like a clueless officiating crew if you want, but if it were the Bills getting those flags, Pats fans would likely say they deserved it for being stupid. The Patriots absolutely need to be more disciplined than they’ve been the past two games, particularly on the lines.

Welp! With that, here’s a look at the “Ups” and “Downs” – that is, three up and five down – after the Patriots’ 33-21 loss to the Bills…

• UP: RB Damien Harris

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  Harris looked strong and spry in his first game back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a game, plus the Pats’ bye week. There was nothing fluky here. Harris rushed 18 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns, and spread his production out evenly throughout the game. Unfortunately, he was the only Patriots skill player who could consistently move the ball. If the Pats defense played better today, we may be talking about a heroic effort from Harris.

• DOWN: QB Mac Jones

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  Despite chipping in on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives, this was arguably Jones’ worst game as a rookie. He finished 14-of-32 for 145 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions through the air - a passer rating of 31.4. He generally looked uncomfortable in the pocket and sailed numerous throws incomplete. Other miscues looked like he was out of sync with his receivers. It’s unfair to put too much on a rookie’s shoulders, especially on an afternoon as sloppy as this one. But Jones’ decision-making with the ball needs to be better.

• UP: WR Jakobi Meyers

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  Meyers continues to be the Patriots’ most consistently dependable target. He finished the day with a team-high six catches and 59 receiving yards. That won’t be nearly enough to outscore a team like the Bills, particularly when Josh Allen is cooking like he was for most of the game. That’s not Meyers’ fault, though. You can give him credit for showing up.
• DOWN: WR N’Keal Harry

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  Ugh. Harry had a big opportunity in this game, with Nelson Agholor out due to the COVID-19 protocol. Harry’s “response?” Two catches on six targets, for 15 inconsequential yards. But his biggest mistake was when he dropped what should have been one of the easiest catches of his career, on what looked like a “pillow” from Mac Jones. On the very next play, Jones tried to target Harry again, but the ball was tipped in the air and intercepted, and Harry didn't exactly make the best effort to stop the Bills on the play. Rough game for a guy who’s simply had a rough career so far.

• DOWN: CB Myles Bryant

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  The Patriots mixed their coverages between man and zone today, but Bryant often found himself in the area of Bills receiver Isaiah McKenzie. The Patriots had no answer for him. McKenzie made a game-high 11 catches for 125 yards with a touchdown, and had Bryant covering him most of the time. Bryant has been solid as the Pats’ primary slot corner and even made a big play in the last game against the Bills, but he got picked on in this game.

• UP: S Adrian Phillips

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  Earlier in the game, when it was still in the balance, Phillips made what was a huge play at the time. He broke up a Josh Allen pass attempt on third-and-7 in the end zone, forcing the Bills to settle for a field goal. The play also nullified what could’ve been a penalty on the Patriots, because you can’t call pass interference when the ball is tipped. It’s a little tough to find “Ups” after a performance like that, so Phillips gets the nod for basically that play alone.
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• DOWN: DT Christian Barmore

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  The Bills were facing a fourth-and-7 and intended to go for it either way, but Barmore made it much easier for them. The rookie committed an encroachment penalty to gift the Bills five yards, making it a very manageable fourth-and-2. Of course, the Bills converted it and later scored a touchdown. Barmore has been impressive for a rookie, but he made a rookie mistake today, and it cost them.

Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Next Patriots Ups & Downs come after a Week 17 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which now feels like a must-win game, certainly if the Patriots still want to win the AFC East.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].

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Author Matt Dolloff

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