Written By Intern Gabby
We all knew that this AFC East matchup was going to be a battle that Buffalo needed to win to have a shot at the AFC East Champions title. The Bills fell short a few weeks ago against the Patriots only scoring 10 points and holding them to 14. If anyone heard before the game that the Bills defense was going to hold the Patriots to only 14 points, they would have thought the Bills won. The offense, on the other hand, could not generate any sort of momentum to swing in the Bills favor.
The Bills knew when going into this game that something needed to change which was stopping the Patriots run and forcing Mac Jones to throw the ball. Anyone can be really good at handing the ball off, but forcing a rookie QB to throw to a high rated defense isn’t that easy. Here are the Top 5 Important Moments that Changed the Game for Buffalo.
5: Ike Boettger Injury Forces Dion Dawkins Into the Game
Coming off the COVID-19 List, Dion Dawkins was eligible to play in the game which meant that the Offensive Line was even stronger, however, the Bills were planning to slowly integrate Dawkins back into the starting lineup with placing Ike Boettger at left tackle. Boettger has been a pretty consistent linemen when a starter gets injured or gets added to the COVID list. Early in the game, Boettger was in a non-contact injury to his achilles which forced him out of the game.
Dawkins still eligible the Bills elected to bring him in full time early in the game disregarding what their probable intentions were going into the game. Well, ultimately it paid off. The offensive line looked the best it has all season giving Josh Allen time in the pocket to make and extend the play. The offensive line totaled no penalties in the entire game. The offense was so successful because of the offensive line; winning their one-on-one matchups, blocking down the field, and no penalties.
4: Stefon Diggs Settling Into the Offense
All Bills fans can agree that Stefon Diggs is our number one receiver and there is no doubt about that. However, relying on Diggs for every play can make it easier on the defense by just double teaming him at all times. The other receivers have done a great job of stepping up and making plays. But Diggs is Diggs and he is just fitting into the offense. Even though he doesn’t make every catch on the field he is active in helping the offense. Diggs is just an all out player. You can tell how much he wants to win and you can see the passion he has for the game.
Josh Allen can easily depend on anyone else to make a play when needed. He has so many other options, whether it being Dawson Knox, Emmanuel Sanders, Isaiah McKenzie, Jake Kumerow, and Isaiah Hodgins; and even more on the COVID list. But Diggs is the guy that is there when the Buffalo Bills need energy, a first down, a touchdown, a shift in momentum; Diggs can make a play when you want it and where you want it, but now he doesn’t need to make every play.
3: Bills Coaching Staff Making Irregular Play Calls
In previous games, the play calls have been more on the conservative end. The Bills have not really been going for it on 4th down in the red zone and settling for a field goal. Sometimes all you need to do is score some points by settling for a field goal and sometimes you need the touchdown. In this New England game, the game plan was different.
The offense was aggressive. They went for it on 4th down multiple times and converted all but one. Josh Allen and the offense was fighting for every yard on the field. JA17 was running the ball when needed, Motor Singletary was being a consistent RB throughout the whole game, and the receivers were getting open and making plays. Brian Daboll out coached the New England Patriots and their offense.
2: The Defense Forcing Mac Jones to Throw the Ball
A few weeks ago, the Patriots offense ran right through the Bills defense. Mac Jones only threw the ball 3 times during the entirety of the game. Now going into their second matchup, the defense knew exactly how to win this game. They needed to force Mac Jones to throw the ball and make errors, which is what Jones did. The Bills defense put the Patriots in 3rd & long which almost forces Mac to throw the ball. Mac Jones only completed around 43% of his passes and threw 2 interceptions. The defense really stepped up when they needed to in this conference matchup.
Micah Hyde led the way with 2 big interceptions when they needed them the most. The defensive line holding the RBs up front and not letting them get carried away with the run. The defense stacked the line of scrimmage towards the beginning of the game to contain the run as much as possible. The offense was electric during the game, but the defense really held up against the Patriots offense helping Buffalo get a win.
1: Isaiah McKenzie Being A Part of the Offense
For the last few weeks, Isaiah McKenzie hasn’t been playing for the Bills. McKenzie got the call to play for the Patriots probably because of other players being placed on the COVID list. But that didn’t matter for McKenzie. He completely balled out. McKenzie totaled 11 catches and 125 yards most of which were completions for first downs. Isaiah McKenzie caught the Bills first touchdown pass of the game.
Isaiah McKenzie brought speed and electricity to the offense. He brings a dynamic off quick shuffle passes, but he still can go deep on routes and make a play. McKenzie knew that this game was going to mean a lot to him and to prove himself worthy of being a more consistent piece in this Buffalo Bills offense.
With the big win over the New England Patriots puts Buffalo back on top of the AFC East Conference. If the Buffalo Bills win out, they will lock up first place in their conference. The Bills need to continue the upward projection of the offense and the lockdown of the defense, especially going into the end of the season into their playoff run. The huge victory reminded the players from what they knew what they were capable of and how well they executed. The Bills showed that they can be a team that others would not want to face in the playoffs as the continue throughout the year.
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