5 takeaways from the Bills’ 24-21 win over the Patriots

Takeaways from the Buffalo Bills’ 24-21 win over the New England Patriots.

Bills running back Zack Moss. Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Feliciano shows importance

The Bills haven’t been a running team the entire season. Credit to Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll a bit here as well, but against the Patriots, the Bills ran the ball in excellent fashion. Kind of ironic that this happens when Jon Feliciano returns, right?

Actually, not really at all. It seemed unlikely that adding one offensive lineman to the equation would change a team’s running fortunes this much, but that’s exactly what happened. Right off the bat, Feliciano’s impact was felt as the Bills’ opening drive on offense saw the unit gash the Pats on the left side of the field over and over again behind Feliciano at left guard.

A change of scenery didn’t even slow Feliciano down. After spending the first drive of the game at  guard, Feliciano was moved to center. Starter in the middle, Mitch Morse, went down with concussion and Feliciano was put in the middle. Even there, Feliciano’s impact was felt. Both of Buffalo’s running backs in Devin Singletary and Zack Moss owe Feliciano a nice dinner or something after this one. Both guys had their best games-to-date this season.

As a team, the Bills had nearly 200 yards rushing (190) and only 23 yards came from their quarterback. Both backs had 14 carries in the game while Singletary had 86 and Moss had a nearly identical outing with 81 yards, but with two touchdowns as well.