Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR) – The Buffalo Bills suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday, falling 29-26 to the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
That means I’ll start with my Arrows Down for the first time this season:<\/p>\n
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ARROW DOWN:<\/p>\n
Max Hairston<\/p>\n
Hairston had a really rough day, often finding himself the target of passes from Drake Maye – especially to Romeo Doubs – and often in big situations. He was beaten too often. <\/p>\n
He also had a holding penalty on a would-be sack near the Bills’ goal line. <\/p>\n
Then on the play that gave the Patriots a first down to seal the win, it appeared Hairston did not do everything he could to take the proper angle and stop Hunter Henry.<\/p>\n
The defense overall<\/p>\n
One week after it looked like they were starting to figure it out, the Bills defense allowed a Patriots offense that had been really struggling to get off the mat and move down the field on them too often. <\/p>\n
The Patriots totaled 405 yards of offense and scored 29 points.<\/p>\n
First defensive drives of both halves<\/p>\n
The Bills defense gave up long drives to New England to start both halves. <\/p>\n
After the Bills offense went three-and-out to start the game, the Patriots drove 97 yards in 12 players to score a touchdown. <\/p>\n
Then to start the second half, they drove 72 yards in 14 plays to punch it into the end zone again.<\/p>\n
Where was Kincaid?<\/p>\n
Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid had just two targets the entire day, and only one of those was a reception for seven yards. <\/p>\n
He’s a huge weapon in the offense and can’t be forgotten about like that.<\/p>\n
Josh Allen\u2019s last throw decision<\/p>\n
Driving to, at least, tie the game and maybe even win it, and still with over a minute left on the clock and only second down at their own 40-yard line, Allen was pressured and avoided a sack, but instead of throwing it away, he launched it downfield into double coverage. The Bills quarterback was picked off, and it effectively ended the game.<\/p>\n
Penalties in key spots<\/p>\n
It wasn’t the volume of penalties, because the Bills were called for just five of them for 51 yards. <\/p>\n
But, once again, they committed a few penalties in key situations that allowed New England off the hook, or hurt themselves from being in a favorable situations.<\/p>\n
First-half run game<\/p>\n
The Bills just couldn’t run the ball in the first half. They had 11 carries for only 28 yards, averaging 2.5 yards per-run. <\/p>\n
In the second half, they got it going much better, but it took far too long.<\/p>\n
Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams<\/p>\n
The Bills’ starting linebackers combined for 15 tackles, but just one for a loss, and were really neutralized all afternoon. They needed to make a few plays, but didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Allowing Drake Maye to scramble<\/p>\n
Maye used his legs to not only get out of a few spots it looked like he was going to get sacked, but then gained key first downs. <\/p>\n
He was New England\u2019s leading rusher with 54 yards on eight carries.<\/p>\n
Joshua Palmer<\/p>\n
Palmer was targeted four times and had just one catch for three yards. <\/p>\n
He had a ball near the sidelines he should have caught that would have been a first down. The Bills wound up punting.<\/p>\n
Red zone defense<\/p>\n
The Patriots were inside the Bills’ red zone three different times and scored touchdowns on each of them. <\/p>\n
More fumbles<\/p>\n
Once again, running back James Cook put the ball on the ground. This time, it was a botched exchange between him and Allen.<\/p>\n
Later, wide receiver Khalil Shakir had a first down, but while fighting for yards coughed up the football. That turned into a turnover and gave the Patriots the ball.<\/p>\n
Injuries<\/p>\n
The Bills were hit with quite a few injuries in this one, including D.J. Moore (shoulder), Ed Oliver (knee), Dee Alford (ankle) and Te\u2019Cory Couch (hamstring).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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ARROW UP:<\/p>\n
Keon Coleman<\/p>\n
Once again, Coleman made big plays when called upon. He had a fantastic catch, grabbed a touchdown, and was reliable all afternoon.<\/p>\n
He finished as the game\u2019s leading receiver, catching six passes (on seven targets) for 116 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n
Second-half running game<\/p>\n
The Bills ran for just 28 yards and 2.5 yards a carry in the first half, but they ran seven times for 63 yards in the second half – an average of 7.0 yards per-run.<\/p>\n
Job against Patriots running backs<\/p>\n
The Patriots ran for 143 yards, which is far too much, but most of that was by Maye.<\/p>\n
T.J. Parker getting first sack and forced fumble<\/p>\n
OK, it was actually half of a sack (shared with Ed Oliver), but Parker got on the sack stat sheet for the first time, and also forced Maye\u2019s fumble the Bills recovered – also a first in the NFL for him.<\/p>\n
Greg Rousseau<\/p>\n
Rousseau was one of the lone bright spots on the Bills defense, recording four total tackles, four quarterback hits, and two pass breakups.<\/p>\n
Third-down offense<\/p>\n
The Bills converted 6-of-12 (50%) third-down chances.<\/p>\n
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