The Bills still have a shot at the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs. But it wasn’t easy today.
Buffalo fell behind 14-0 at home against New England today, and had to recover an onside kick to stop a Patriots comeback attempt in the closing minutes, but still managed to win 24-21.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen had one of his worst games of the season, completing just 16 of 29 passes for 154 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, and running for just 28 yards and no touchdowns. Allen also appeared to be dealing with some kind of right hand injury late in the game, although he never missed a play. It wasn’t the game Allen and the Bills wanted, but it was enough to win.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye continues to impress, making plays with his arm and his legs. The Patriots have a lot of rebuilding to do, but they have to feel good about their young quarterback. The loss drops the Patriots to 3-12, and keeps them in contention for a top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Right now, the highest priority in New England is building a team around Maye.
In Buffalo, the priority is winning the Super Bowl this season. They’re trailing the Chiefs in the AFC, but they still have a chance to make the road to the Super Bowl go through Buffalo.
The Bills need to win today to stay alive for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They’re not playing with much urgency.
The Patriots have jumped out to a surprising 14-0 lead in the second quarter today in Buffalo.
Drake Maye is 7-for-10 for 79 yards and a touchdown, Rhamondre Stevenson has run for 46 yards and a touchdown, and the Bills’ offense has done absolutely nothing so far.
A loss here would be a huge blow to the Bills. They’ve got plenty of time to turn things around, but they need to get moving.
The Bills have not ruled anyone out for Sunday’s game against the Patriots, but they do have several players who will be listed as questionable.
Head coach Sean McDermott announced on Friday that safety Damar Hamlin (rib), cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee), linebacker Matt Milano (groin), safety Taylor Rapp (neck), receiver Curtis Samuel (rib), linebacker Dorian Williams (elbow), and linebacker Baylon Spector (calf) are all set to receiver a questionable designation.
All seven players will be limited in Friday’s practice.
While most of the players were initially listed on the injury report, Spector was added after suffering his calf injury at the end of Thursday’s practice.
The Bills will release their full injury report later on Friday.
Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore played four games this season after returning from blood clots in July. His season now is finished, the Patriots announced in a statement.
“The New England Patriots are placing defensive lineman Christian Barmore on the reserve non-football illness list after he experienced some recurring symptoms that required further evaluation,” the team wrote. “We appreciate everything Christian did to return to the team this season, but our top priority is Christian’s health and wellbeing. We know that he will continue to receive tremendous care and we want to ensure that he gets the time he needs to come back stronger than ever.”
The Patriots activated Barmore from the non-football illness list Nov. 16.
He missed the first 10 games of the season and totaled six tackles and a sack in the four games he played. Barmore had his best season in 2023 when he recorded 8.5 sacks, 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.
Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker popped up on the injury report last week with a concussion and missed Sunday’s game. But the concussion was not suffered on the field.
Baker told MassLive.com that he suffered the concussion in a car crash on the team’s day off, but that he’s now cleared to return to practice.
“Yeah it is for sure [scary],” Baker said. “I’m good. I went through all the protocol stuff, so I’m good.”
Baker, one of the young players who is expected to get more playing time late in the year, said he’s eager to “show whatever I can” in these last three games.
“It’s been a roller coaster but I’ve been keeping a straight head,” Baker said. “I feel like I’m good, to sum it up. I just have to stick to the plan. It’s not my way – I’ve got to stick to the plan. And whatever the coaches are telling me to do.”
The 22-year-old Baker was a fourth-round pick this year and hasn’t caught a pass yet this season.
