Location: New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY
Regular season records: Buffalo (2-6), New England (6-2)
In a nutshell:
A few late mistakes would ultimately be Buffalo's downfall in its Week 8 loss to New England. After holding the Patriots to just nine points throughout the first three quarters, the Bills allowed 13 points in the fourth, losing the game by a score of 25-6.
The Bills' offense came out with a few tricks up its sleeve, running a number of plays out of the wildcat formation. The unit, however, failed to find the end zone for the second consecutive week, finishing the contest with just six points.
Buffalo's defense lived up to expectations in the game, largely containing New England's powerful offense throughout. The Bills kept the Patriots out of the end zone until the fourth quarter, and New England's offense finished the game with only one touchdown.
With the loss, the Bills fell to 2-6 on the season.
How it went down:
- New England's second drive of the day was a methodical one, stretching 14 plays and taking over five minutes off the clock in the first quarter. The drive ultimately stalled out in the red zone, as Buffalo's defense stood strong with its back against its end zone. Stephen Gostkowski's field goal attempt was good from 25-yards out, giving the Patriots the early 3-0 lead.
- The Patriots constructed another long series in the second quarter, an 11-play, 58-yard drive that resulted in another Gostkowski field goal. Jordan Phillips came up with a big play in the red zone to end the series, tackling New England wideout Julian Edelman on a screen pass to force fourth down (6-0).
- Buffalo stood by its bend, don't break defensive mantra late in the second quarter. Tom Brady led the Patriots 42 yards down the field on a late series, but yet again, the Bills' defense was stout in their half of the field. A Lorenzo Alexander sack pushed the Patriots back six yards, ultimately resulting in Gostkowski's third field goal of the half, this one from 38-yards out (9-0).
- The Bills saved their best offensive effort of the first half until the end, constructing a nine play drive that stretched past the two minute warning. Derek Anderson completed four passes for 34 yards on the series. Buffalo, however, stalled out before reaching the end zone, ultimately settling for a 47-yard Stephen Hauschka field goal.
- A 31-yard Micah Hyde punt return set Buffalo up in excellent field position midway through the third quarter. The offense failed to advance the ball, but that wasn't a problem for Hauschka, who sank his second field goal of the night through the uprights from 51-yards out to shrink New England's lead to three (9-6).
- New England recovered an Anderson fumble deep in Buffalo territory with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. After picking up a quick first down, Brady and company stalled yet again, forcing Gostkowski to kick his fourth field goal of the night (12-6).
- The Patriots found the end zone for the first time in the fourth quarter. Brady led the New England offense on a 10-play, 85-yard drive, completing six passes on the series. James White capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run. The Patriots failed a two point conversion attempt (18-6).
- A beautiful 25-yard touchdown reception by Jason Croom was called back after further review. On the next play, Anderson threw an interception to New England defensive back Devin McCourty, who took the ball 84 yards down the field for a pick six (25-6).
Subplots:
- LeSean McCoy recorded his 3,500th career receiving yard in the third quarter of Monday's game, joining Darren Sproles and Frank Gore as the only active running backs who have hit that mark.
- Kyle Williams played in his 175th career game on Monday, becoming the seventh-most tenured Bill in team history.
- Lorenzo Alexander took Tom Brady down twice on Monday, notching his second career two-sack game.
- Rookie WR Cam Phillips recorded his first career reception in the game.
- Stephen Hauschka scored his 1,000th career point in the contest, becoming the 58th player in NFL history to reach the plateau.
- The announced attendance for the game was 70,109.
- Inactive for the game were QB Josh Allen, RB Taiwan Jones, CB Dontae Johnson, OL Ike Boettger, OT Conor McDermott, OG Wyatt Teller, and DE Trent Murphy.
Up next:
The Bills will continue their home stand next week, as they'll host the Khalil Mack-led Chicago Bears in a Week 9 matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
