Buffalo enacts revenge on the road to pull ahead in the East

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills got a huge win on the road to take control of the AFC East.

A few weeks ago, the New England Patriots went on the road and knocked off the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, taking control of the AFC East.

Since then, the Patriots have lost two straight game coming off their bye week, including today’s loss to the Bills that saw Buffalo regain the lead in the division, quieting the calls anointing the Patriots as the team to beat in the conference.

While the story a few weeks ago was the Patriots defense, who were able to slow down the Bills’ passing attack — in concern with wind gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour — the story of today’s game was what quarterback Josh Allen was able to do against that defense. There is an old saying in football that as a quarterback, you want every drive to end with a kick. Either an extra point, a field goal or a punt.

While Allen and the Bills’ offense did not end every drive with a kick in Foxborough, they came incredibly close. In the first half three of their five possessions ended with points. The other two? A failed fourth-down attempt and a kneel down to end the first half.  That allowed Buffalo to build a 17-7 halftime lead.

In the second half, as the Patriots tried to claw their way back into the game? Buffalo scored a field goal, a touchdown and a touchdown on their first three possessions in the second half. Their fourth included the game’s final play, another knee from Allen to ice the game with the win.

Allen finished the game completing 30 of 47 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns, without an interception. He was also Buffalo’s leading rusher, as he carried the ball 12 times for 64 yards.

Allen and the Bills struck first, as Buffalo looked to convert a fourth down opportunity near the goal line:

Both teams were aggressive in this game, looking to convert numerous fourth down chances. On this play Allen has all day as the Patriots rush just four and try and contain him with a mush rush. The QB takes advantage of the time and finds Isaiah McKenzie in the back of the end zone for the score.

Allen’s arm was showcased on his second touchdown pass of the game, as he delivers a rocket to Stefon Diggs for the score:

But some of Allen’s biggest plays came with him running the football. Early in the game this long scramble helped set up a field goal from Tyler Bass:

Then in the fourth quarter, with the Bills facing another decision about going for it on fourth down, Sean McDermott kept his offense on the field, and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll put the ball in his quarterback’s hands:

Even while the Patriots looked in position to stop this, with Jamie Collins and J.C. Jackson having a shot at him behind the line of scrimmage, Allen found a way to evade the defenders and pick up the first down.

Now it is the Bills who control their destiny, as they look to lock down the division over the next two weeks. According to the New York Times’ Playoff Odds, with the win Buffalo has a greater than 99% chance to make the playoffs, and can lock down the division with wins over Atlanta in Week 17 and the New York Jets in Week 18. The Patriots, who face Jacksonville in Week 17 and then the Miami Dolphins in Week 18, can still win the division, but will need Buffalo to lose a game or two along the way.

Today, however, was a bit of revenge for Allen and the Bills. A few weeks ago they were on the losing end in this matchup, and frustration seemed to be boiling over. Since then, it is the Patriots who have been frustrated, while the Bills seem to be rounding into good form. This win is exactly what the Bills needed to close out December.