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New England Patriots

Highlights: Patriots top Bills 14-10 in Buffalo

Matt Dolloff December 6th, 2021
L-R: New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (Credits L-R: David Butler II/Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports)

It’s gone final in Buffalo. The New England Patriots have defeated the Bills, their seventh straight win, to improve to 9-4 after a gutsy effort on the road. The game was surprisingly entertaining for a 14-10 score, thanks to some wackiness with the wind and a handful of big plays.

Scroll down for a recap of the game’s biggest highlights.

  • Q4, 1:55: Patriots get clutch fourth-down stop to seal win

    The Patriots made a ballsy call on fourth down, running an all-out blitz on Josh Allen. It worked, as Allen had to backpedal and his throw was off the mark for Cole Beasley. Myles Bryant deflected the ball away to seal the fourth-down stand.

  • Q3, 6:35: Bad penalty call gifts Bills three points

    What a gift from Bill Vinovich’s officiating crew. The Bills were facing a potential punt, but a personal foul on the Patriots gave the a first down. The Bills ended up with a converted field goal for Tyler Bass, making it 11-10 Patriots.

    Buffalo only came away with points because of a horrible penalty call by Bill Vinovich’s crew. They flagged Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant for a personal foul for shoving Josh Allen out of bounds, but Allen was clearly battling to leap for the first down marker. So Bryant was supposed to just let Allen run for the first down, I guess?

    The Bills briefly had real signs of life on this drive, right when J.C. Jackson had to miss a few plays. Josh Allen wisely targeted Stefon Diggs with Joejuan Williams out in coverage, but Diggs looked to have trouble tracking a deep ball and mishandled what could’ve been a long touchdown catch.

  • Q2, 1:48: Another impressive defensive stop for the Pats

    The Bills had no chance on their last third down play. Matthew Judon somehow was left unblocked, so he’s in on Josh Allen with ease. Allen gets the throw off before the sack, but Kyle Van Noy leaps and bats it out of the air.

    It feels like the Patriots defense is rounding into form. The Bills could be getting shut out right now, if not for the N’Keal Harry turnover.

  • Jonnu Smith's highlight-reel catch

    Mac Jones’ first pass attempt went into the wind, and wasn’t quite on target. But tight end Jonnu Smith made an impressive series of adjustments to reel the ball in as he went to the turf. Perhaps the most impressive play Smith has made so far in his first season as a Patriot.

  • Q1, 2:02: Bills cash in on turnover

    The Bills immediately cashed in on N’Keal Harry’s ugly turnover. Josh Allen hit Gabriel Davis with a quick strike in the end zone, and Davis made the catch in tight traffic for the touchdown.

    Interestingly enough, the Bills opted to kick the extra point instead of going for the two-pointer to tie the game, and it’s good. So the Patriots still have the lead, 8-7. Plenty of football left.

  • Q1, 2:19: Bills punt, but recover Harry's fumble

    The Bills could not answer after the Patriots’ touchdown drive, but got bailed out anyway. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore was in on Josh Allen to rush him into an errant throw on third down. Unfortunately, the Patriots had N’Keal Harry back to field the punt, and he tried to get out of the way of the ball, but it ended up grazing his helmet.

    Buffalo recovered the ball, so they get it back on the Patriots’ 14.

  • Q1, 5:18: Damien Harris breaks off huge touchdown run

    Damien Harris had a gaping hole up the middle, and took full advantage. The running back took the handoff 64 yards to the end zone for a touchdown.

    Perfect blocking by the Patriots’ offensive line, along with fullback Jakob Johnson and receiver N’Keal Harry, and a great cut back to the middle by Harris. He had a wall to run by and was basically untouched to the house.

    Patriots cash in on the turnover. Oh, and they went for two and converted it. The wind is so intense, they aren’t even going to attempt extra points tonight. Be interesting to see how the Bills respond and how they perform playing from behind.

  • Q1, 6:55: Bills fumble, Patriots recover

    We have a turnover! After the first three combined possessions went punt, punt, punt, the Bills turned the ball over at the Patriots’ 35-yard line. Bills quarterback Josh Allen and running back Matt Breida appeared to both the handoff. An opportunistic Lawrence Guy fell on it to give the Pats possession.

    It’s going to be that kind of night. Can the Patriots avoid the same mistake the Bills just made?

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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 mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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