After taking a stunning 14-0 lead over the Buffalo Payments, the New England Patriots dropped their fifth straight sport, falling to 3-12 within the season.
The Patriots referred to as performs aggressively within the first half, together with a faux punt on fourth-and-2, however the Payments scored 24 unanswered factors to defeat the Patriots 24-21 at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.
This roster actually has some brilliant spots, in addition to some challenges. Let’s check out the studs and duds from the Patriots’ loss to the Payments.
STUDS
Drake Maye
Maye made his typical mistake, throwing an interception ultimately zone. However he was in any other case stable beneath heart.
The Patriots rookie threw for 260 yards on 23-of-36 passing with a landing to Kayshon Boutte on New England’s opening drive for a fast 7-0 lead. Maye additionally rushed for 31 yards on six carries, together with a 10-yard scramble for a primary down within the first quarter. He added a second passing landing within the fourth quarter to get the Patriots inside three, 24-21.
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First Half Play Calling
The Patriots have been criticized all season lengthy for his or her lack of artistic play-calling. Within the first half, New England did the precise reverse, using Maye’s expertise and even stunning Buffalo with a faux punt.
Whereas it’s unknown if head coach Jerod Mayo or offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt deserves credit score for the Patriots’ excellent first half, the query stays: why did the teaching workers wait till Week 16 to indicate aggressiveness and creativity?
DUDS
Marte Mapu
Mapu may have made the play of the sport when he intercepted Payments quarterback Josh Allen’s go ultimately zone within the second quarter.
However as an alternative of taking a knee for the touchback, Mapu tried to run the ball out of the top zone and was tackled on the Patriots’ 1-yard line. The gaff by the New England security left the broadcasters, in addition to the followers, scratching their heads on the play.
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Patriots Speeding Sport
The Patriots simply couldn’t appear to get something happening the bottom in opposition to the Payments’ protection. Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson rushed for a mixed 88 yards on 22 carries with solely Stevenson discovering the top zone. New England’s offense managed simply 127 whole dashing yards with Maye second on the group behind Stevenson with 31 yards from the signal-caller.
Patriots Turnovers
New England’s three turnovers stunted its offense within the second half and resulted in 10 Buffalo factors.
Tied 14-14 within the third quarter, Greg Rousseau pressured and recovered a Stevenson fumble that led to the Payments’ Tyler Bass pulling down a 50-yard discipline aim to present Buffalo its first lead of the sport.
The second fumble was recovered by Payments cornerback Taron Johnson for a landing to present Buffalo a 24-12 lead.
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New England will shut out the 2024 season with a two-game homestand in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17 and a rematch in opposition to the Payments in Week 18.
