Three Turnovers, No Chance: Patriots' Self-Inflicted Wounds Doom Them Against the Bills
If you’re the New England Patriots, there’s one stat you simply can’t afford to own in a game against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills: three turnovers. That’s exactly what happened, and the result was as predictable as it was painful.
The Patriots coughed up the ball three times, and in a game where every possession mattered, that was the difference. You can’t hand the ball to a team like Buffalo and expect to come out clean on the other side. Not when Allen is on the other sideline, playing like a man on a mission.
Drake Maye’s Growing Pains Continue
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye had a rough outing. The talent is obvious - the arm strength, the poise in flashes - but this was another reminder that NFL defenses don’t give out free passes.
The Bills brought pressure, disguised coverages, and forced Maye into mistakes. It’s part of the learning curve, but it’s a steep one when you’re facing a defense that thrives on creating chaos.
Maye didn’t get much help, either. Protection broke down at key moments, and the run game couldn’t carry the weight.
When a young quarterback is forced to play from behind and press, bad things tend to follow. That’s what happened here.
Allen Delivers When It Matters
On the other side, Josh Allen did what he does best: rise to the moment. He wasn’t perfect - he rarely is - but when the game demanded greatness, he delivered. Whether it was a third-down laser into a tight window or a scramble that extended a drive, Allen was the best player on the field when it counted most.
It’s becoming a pattern. When Allen faces another top quarterback, or in this case, a highly touted young gun, he seems to elevate his game.
The numbers back it up, and so does the eye test. There’s a competitive fire in Allen that burns brightest when the stakes are high.
Patriots’ Missed Opportunity
This was a game the Patriots had a chance to steal - if they’d taken care of the football. The defense did its part early, forcing the Bills into some tough spots and keeping the game within reach. But every time New England looked like it might swing momentum, a turnover slammed the door shut.
Head coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged as much postgame, pointing to the giveaways as the turning point. “You can’t win in this league turning the ball over like that,” he said.
And he’s right. Especially not against a team like Buffalo.
Looking Ahead
For the Patriots, this is another step in a season that’s more about development than wins. Drake Maye has shown flashes, but the consistency isn’t there yet - and that’s okay. These are the growing pains that come with breaking in a franchise quarterback.
For the Bills, it’s about stacking wins and keeping pace in a tight playoff race. They didn’t play a perfect game, but they didn’t have to. They took advantage of mistakes and let their star quarterback do the rest.
In the NFL, that’s often enough. Just don’t turn it over three times.