Once again playing the role of underdog the Buffalo Bills came into Foxborough at 1-2 to face off agaisnt the Tom Brady-less Patriots. In shocking manor the Bills have risen to the occasion defeating the Super Bowl Contenting Arizona Cardinals a week ago and came into the matchup agasint the Patriots looking for a repeat performance. Having done something that has not been done since the 1993 season, the Patriots were shutout at home by Rex Ryan and company 16-0. A victory that was reliant on a strong run game and the accountability of what appears to be a revamped defense has given the Bills new life.
As tempers rose quickly before the game even began there was obviously no love lost between these two teams. The biggest story line of the week for the matchup was the play of the Patriots at the quarterback positon, or more specifically, who would be lining up behind center with the injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett while Tom Brady has been suspended. A last minute decision saw Brissett getting the start for the Patriots, something the Bills seemed to be quite fond of.
In his second game as newly appointed offensive coordinator, Anthony Lynn stuck with the same winning formula from a week ago relying on short quick passes from Tyrod Taylor and allowing him to use his feet with some designed quarterback runs early. Picking up where they left off last week offensively, the Bills came out of the gates rouring on their first offensive posssession of the game marching down the field for a score on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor to LeSean McCoy. The biggest story offensively may be the revitalized play of LeSean McCoy who has seemed to run with a new purpose with Lynn taking over at the helm. The Patriots defense had little to no answer for the play of McCoy and the rest of the ground game in this one. McCoy, picked up 70 yard rushing to go with 38-yards receiving and one score. As a team the Bills ran for 134 yards.
Perhaps the biggest offensive improvement was that of the play of quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Taylor, finishing the game with a passer rating of 94.6 looked notably more comfortable today spreading out the ball to all of his options connecting with eight different receivers. Missing from the passing game in week three against the Cardinals, Charles Clay who ended up with no catches on two targets a week ago finished with five catches for 47 yards.
As improved as the offense has looked under Anthony Lynn the credit for the Bills two wins, specifically against the Patriots has to be given to the defense. A unit that collected three sacks against the mobile rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett, and held the NFL’s leading rusher in LeGarrette Blount, to under 60 total yards is worthy of praise. Five total fumbles did not help the Patriots cause as the Bills defense seemed to consistently be making a big play. Defensively for the Bills the play of Zach Brown stood out as he accounted for 18 tackles and a sack in the victory.
Bills head coach Rex Ryan was particularly ecstatic about the victory,”God, it feels good to finally win here. …It’s satisfying. But let’s face it: They had a player out.” That player being Tom Brady will return from suspension for New England’s week four matchup against the Cleveland Browns. “Anytime one of your best players isn’t there, there’s something missing. We handled a lot of it well. Today we just didn’t. The Bills outplayed us, so that’s that,” said Patriots receiver Julian Edelman.
As the Patriots have their reinforcements returning so do the Bills. Marcel Dareus will return in week four from suspension as well. Dareus looks to give the defense a much needed boost in depth as they have been playing with very little depth due to injury and suspension to begin the season.
Following the game the Patriots lead on the AFC East is begining to lessen as the Bills now move within one game out of first place in the division at 2-2. The Patriots fall to 3-1 and will be in Cleveland next week with Tom Brady back at the helm. The Bills improve to 2-2 and have created momentum that will look to propel them to further success. They will be in Los Angeles against the NFC West leading Rams in week five.
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