DT Jordan Phillips
Jordan Phillips did have one tackle for loss in this one, but overall, was rather quiet against New England after being named a Pro Bowl snub by most accounts. He and the rest of Buffalo’s defense failed to record a sack on New England quarterback Tom Brady. The Bills’ defensive line as a whole also allowed plenty of holes for the running game.
Phillips also gets a mention here for taking a few penalties. Near the goal line, he hopped offside and then was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a Patriots’ touchdown. Following the game he said he was complaining to the referees, but he’ll still need to keep his cool once the playoffs come around.
LB Lorenzo Alexander
One of the veteran leaders for the Bills didn’t bring his A-game on defense against the Patriots. Early in the outing, Lorenzo Alexander was beat one-on-one by tight end Matt Lacosse for the Patriots’ opening score at the goal line on a pass from Brady to the flat to his left. That was the tale of Alexander’s game defending the passing and he was beat more than once in this one.
Additionally, Alexander had a chance to stop Burkhead from scoring on the goal line.Instead, Alexander bounced right off the Patriots running back and he strolled into the end zone.