The Bills lost to the Patriots 16-23 in both clubs’ final game of the 2024 NFL regular season.
On a chilly day in New England, Buffalo rested a number of their starters with others seeing marginal action as the game had no bearing on their playoff standings.
The Bills already clinched the No. 2 seed and it was time to give depth players and rookies more playing time.
Bills HC Sean McDermott made one thing clear during his postgame press conference as to how the team will measure success in the postseason: “The ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl.”
The last contest of the regular season did have some meaning, however, as Buffalo became the first team in NFL history with 30 rushing and 30 passing touchdowns in a single season. They also tied the 2019 Saints for an NFL record for the fewest turnovers in a single season (8) since 1933 when turnovers were first tracked.
Multiple Bills players were also given the opportunity to reach contract incentives for bonuses in the game.
Bills coach Sean McDermott just opted to punt from the Patriots’ 35-yard line.
This game has no impact on Buffalo’s playoff seeding.
Looking out for his players – that kind of gesture doesn’t go unnoticed. https://t.co/vkwell7OcC
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 5, 2025
Von Miller was credited with his 6th sack of the season which netted the veteran linebacker $1.5 million while ending the Patriots’ opening drive of the game. WR Mack Hollins caught a $50,000 bonus with his second reception of the game which made for 30 on the season. P Sam Martin netted $100,000. for his 25th punt of the season inside the 20-yard line thanks to CB Ja’Marcus Ingram’s help keeping the ball from going into the endzone.
Speaking of bonuses, Buffalo didn’t have a single injury update reported.
“I’ll knock on wood because sometimes things show up the next day. I feel like [we did],” The coach also noted. “Let me just knock on wood to make sure. I’ll know a little more tomorrow.”
While the loss to New England broke the NFL’s longest active streak of eight straight wins against division opponents, it may have been strategic.
That win dropped the Patriots out of the No. 1 overall pick selection spot in the 2025 NFL Draft, a position they could have leveraged in multiple ways to help expedite their rebuild process and improve their team and payroll ahead of next season.
Last year New England tried to trade up with Buffalo from the second round so they could reportedly draft either now-Panthers WR Xavier Legette or now-Bills rookie WR Keon Coleman. Buffalo instead made the trade with Carolina to not allow a division opponent to get better (and since we play them twice a season) and took Coleman ahead of them at the top of the second round.
They can now add losing the No. 1 overall pick to any jaded feelings toward Buffalo.
As for the Bills, they’ll now turn their complete focus to the start of the playoffs.