Well, that was unexpected.
In a game nobody thought would be close, the New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough on Sunday.
The 29-25 victory was just the Patriots’ second of the season and marked head coach Bill Belichick’s 300th career win. It also marked the first time all season that the team generated sustained offensive production and the first time that they commanded a game against a formidable opponent.
The loss was the third of the season for the Bills, who have now fallen to the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets in addition to New England.
Here are five big takeaways from the game.
1
Where does the team go from here?
After the Patriots lost three games in a row to the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders, much hope was lost amongst the New England fanbase.
And the losses were not ticky-tacky either. A 35-point rout to the Cowboys was followed by a 34-0 shutout to the Saints. Last week, the Patriots fell to an old Bill Belichick protege in Josh McDaniels, further cementing the legendary coach’s inability to defeat his former assistants.
And so coming into Sunday’s game against the Bills, expectations for New England were on the floor. Buffalo’s top-ranked offense looked primed to feast on the Patriots’ underwhelming (and injured) defense, and the hometown offense showed little signs of coming back to life.
But on New England’s first drive of the game, they cruised downfield easier than they have at any point this season. While that drive ended in a field goal (and featured some glaringly questionable play-calling that included three consecutive runs up the middle), it set the stage for a game in which the Patriots’ offense actually looked capable of going toe-to-toe with the top competition in the league.
Quarterback Mac Jones had one of his best performances in recent memory, throwing for 272 passing yards and two touchdowns while putting up a 126.7 passer rating. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne turned in a second consecutive week of productivity, catching six passes for 63 yards as well as a massive touchdown late in the game.
Hunter Henry picked every defender to the bunch side on Kendrick Bourne's TD pic.twitter.com/Wy0DjnxGH8
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) October 23, 2023
Bourne had positive things to say about Jones after the game as well.
Kendrick Bourne on Mac Jones:
“Mac was focused, Mac was locked in, doing a great job. He’s our leader”
LFG. 👀🔥
— Savage (@SavageSports_) October 23, 2023
It will remain to be seen just how sustainable this revived Patriots offense is.
2
A simplified playbook leads to simply solid results
In Jones’ 2021 rookie season, New England ran out a simplified offensive playbook that catered to his strengths. Quick reads and draw plays became the norm in an offense that finished the season No. 6 in the league in points scored, and that led the team to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth in the process.
But the Patriots tried to get too fancy last season, as the incorporation of deep passes and longer, developing plays led to more on-field offensive stagnation. The stats reflected the drop in production, with the team falling to No. 17 in points scored and missing the playoffs.
And after putting up historically bad offensive numbers to start the season – at least by Patriots standards – the team may have finally found their rhythm on Sunday. All it took was seven regular-season weeks and open allegations of tanking for them to bring it all back to basics and feed Jones his bread and butter.
New England was finally capitalizing on the ability they have at the receiver position, ousting slower pass-catchers like DeVante Parker from the gameplan in favor of the speedy Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas. Even Jalen Reagor, a former top-pick that was signed to the practice squad a few weeks ago, took significant reps at wideout, signaling a metaphorical changing of the guard for the team at the position.
And these changes paid off. Bourne had 44.4 yards after the reception during the game, per Next Gen Stats. Douglas had 29.6, using his quick agility to make defenders miss all game long.
Demario Douglas led the #Patriots in all-purpose yards during today's win. Made plays underneath and downfield, took a jet sweep 20 yards, returned a punt 25 yards, and drew multiple flags
Wasn't perfect, but Pop showed why he's NE's most electric playmaker on offense pic.twitter.com/dSWHP0vji8
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) October 22, 2023
Let’s just hope offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien keeps utilizing New England’s weapons this way and the offense keeps rolling.
3
Special teams flipped the game
The Patriots didn’t punt much on Sunday. But when they did, they punted well.
Rookie punter Bryce Baringer’s big leg made him a New England selection in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. But the big leg has been inaccurate at times so far this season, with Baringer sometimes being unable to keep the ball in bounds or place a kick within the 20-yard line.
These growing pains have played a role in Baringer being ranked No. 27 in the league in net yards per punt, aided in no small part by the Patriots being ranked No. 8 in return yards allowed.
But on Sunday, the rookie was able to keep the team’s momentum going even while punting the ball away. Although New England only punted twice throughout the contest, both were dropped within Buffalo’s 10-yard line, making it incredibly difficult for the Bills’ offense to get any momentum going on a day where it was hard to find.
In fact, the Patriots’ first punt of the game came right after Buffalo kicked a field goal to cut the lead to seven points. A bad punt may have allowed the Bills to find their footing and drive downfield to tie the game. But Baringer unloaded a booming, 64-yard punt placed at the 6-yard line, cornering Buffalo’s offense into difficult starting field position. They would punt the ball back to the Patriots just three plays later.
WHAT A PUNT! 64 yards!! #Patriots pic.twitter.com/ZJ7W0NjdUr
— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) October 22, 2023
Belichick takes pride in the little things giving New England the advantage over their opponents. On Sunday, Baringer was one of those little things.
4
The secondary did what they had to do
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been the focal point of Buffalo’s offense this season. Coming into the game, he was the clear No. 1 target for quarterback Josh Allen, and the Patriots knew it.
And New England responded by doing something they have been known for doing for years: forcing their opponent to go to their secondary weapons.
Diggs was shadowed not only by cover corner J.C. Jackson but also by an over-the-top safety for most of the contest. While he still racked up six receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets, he did not change the game the way he has against other teams this season, and was limited downfield all game long including on this defensive play.
JC Jackson patriot = different pic.twitter.com/qVu3RfQKNN
— Patriotas (@nepatriotas) October 22, 2023
The coverage on Diggs forced Allen to go to his secondary weapons, and it was there he found a comfortable outlet in rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid, who caught all eight of his targets for 75 yards. Running back James Cook, too, made his mark on the game, totaling 102 scrimmage yards.
But New England’s defense held up well against one of the most explosive offenses in the league. And as long as they continue to play complimentary football with their own offense, they could be able to keep taking down more formidable foes.
5
A week for Bill Belichick to remember
Sunday’s victory was Belichick’s 300th career victory as head coach, becoming only the third in NFL history to accomplish the feat. The victory played a part in quieting discussions regarding his future with the team, as not only did it show that his game planning is still tactically sound, but it also emphasized his ability to work with the personnel he has.
Although Belichick has never fully been able to find constant success in his role as de facto general manager, he has always been able to utilize players in ways other teams have not. Take, for instance, Kenbrell Thompkins in 2013, or Jamie Collins in 2016, 2019 or 2022.
And this season, that acquisition has been Jackson, who has played very well as New England’s top cornerback since being acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers a few weeks ago. While the corner was always considered more of a scheme-fit player than a true standalone piece, he had far worn out his welcome in L.A. and was available for a small price of a late-round draft pick and the remaining money he is owed this season.
And on Sunday, another name stood out, too. Mike Onwenu, the offensive guard drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft, started at right tackle and was very solid all game long. With the Patriots having so many issues at the position, Onwenu’s presence was a much-needed benefit to the unit and was surely felt as the offense put together its best performance this season.
Belichick gets a lot of flack for his personnel decisions, and rightfully so. But he also has a unique ability to get the most out of players, even if another team did not. And that still makes him an incredibly special coach.
