The New England Patriots' impressive 10-game winning run in the NFL came to a stunning and dramatic halt on Sunday. The team suffered a shocking 35-31 defeat against the Buffalo Bills after completely collapsing in the second half, despite holding a commanding 17-point lead at halftime.
A Tale of Two Halves: From Dominance to Disaster
The Patriots, now holding an 11-3 record, looked unstoppable in the first 30 minutes at Foxborough. They scored on four of their five possessions to build a 24-7 lead. Quarterback Drake Maye was instrumental, contributing two rushing touchdowns to energise the offence, which went 9 of 11 for 108 yards through the air.
However, the script flipped entirely after the break. The Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, mounted a furious comeback, scoring 28 points in the second half. In contrast, the Patriots' offence managed only seven points, with Maye struggling to a 5 of 12 passing performance for 47 yards and an interception.
Penalties and Missed Opportunities Prove Costly
New England's discipline unraveled in the crucial final stages. They were penalised seven times for 65 yards, with six of those infractions coming in the second half. A key moment involved running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who was engaged in a scuffle with Bills linebacker Matt Milano after a 16-yard run. Offsetting unnecessary roughness penalties negated the extra yardage for the Patriots.
Coach Mike Vrabel pointed to a lack of complementary play across all units. "The one thing that we’ve done in victory is to play very complementary," Vrabel said. "I would say to give the third-ranked offence the field position that we did is tough. We are disappointed but not discouraged."
Looking Ahead: Patriots Still Control Their Destiny
Despite the setback, the Patriots remain in control of the AFC East, holding a one-game lead over the Bills with three regular-season games remaining. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs suggested the loss could serve as a wake-up call. "It’s a lesson for sure that you’re going to have to keep that foot on the gas," Diggs remarked.
The team's immediate focus shifts to a tough road game against the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) next Sunday night. Their final opponents, the New York Jets (3-11) and Miami Dolphins (6-7), have a combined record of 16-25. The Bills face opponents with a 15-27 combined record.
Key Player Notes: Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson had a standout performance with touchdown runs of 52 and 65 yards. Linebacker Robert Spillane was active but did not play due to a foot issue, while cornerback Carlton Davis III briefly left with a groin injury but returned to the game.
