Eight takeaways from the Patriots’ competitive loss to the Bills in Week 16

After the Pats took a 14-point lead, the Bills right back answered with a 46-yard touchdown run by Cook. It was a simple wide zone drive scheme by Buffalo out of a two-back formation. The Bills blockers overshadowed Pats linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Sione Takitaki, a common occurrence this season, and safety Marte Mapu ran the play as the deep safety. Cook saw the huge cutback pitch and with Mapu out of position, there is no one to play.

The Patriots two-gapping system is all about building a wall with great gap discipline and physicality at the point of attack. This season, the Pats’ linebackers are getting blocked too easily at the second level, and their entire defense hasn’t taken great angles to the ball. As a result, open-field tackling at the second and third levels has been inconsistent.

New England must address the run defense with personnel upgrades in the front seven this offseason. Although they have needs in attack, they are too soft in the center of the defense. It is among the biggest weaknesses of the team.

5. With Man Coverage Plan, a look at Patriots Matchups in Seoncdary

With the Patriots playing over 64 percent of the game in man coverage, this was a matchup game for some on New England’s defense. Mainly, veteran Jonathan Jones had the tough task of shadowing Bills leading receiver Khalil Shakir. On 16 routes covering Shakir, Jones was outstanding, allowing two catches for 22 yards on five targets with a pass breakup.

Aside from Jones on Shakir, the other matchups were mostly determined by sides, with CB Christian Gonzalez mostly lining up opposite rookie Keon Coleman (11 routes). Gonzo covered Bills wideout Amari Cooper on six routes, allowing a catch for 10 yards. Based on my live viewing, this was an excellent game for the Patriots corners vs. The Bills receivers.

6. The Patriots are sticking with the same five along the offensive line in Week 16

Despite former first-rounder Cole Strange being active for the first time, the Patriots opted for continuity along the offensive line. The group that played the entire game was LT Vederian Lowe, LG Layden Robinson, C Ben Brown, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Trey Jacobs.

On first viewing, this was a down game for RT Trey Jacobs, who had 16 reps vs. future Hall of Fame pass rusher Von Miller. Jacobs allowed a team-high five pressure, had two false starts and missed the cut block on Rousseau, leading to fumble-six. The other pressure point was at left guard, where rookie Layden Robinson allowed three pressures. Overall, Maye was under pressure on 37.2% of his drop backs. But part of it was the Bills sending the house on several low red zone plays late in the fourth quarter, which Maye took responsibility for after the game.

As always, we’ll watch the film to properly grade the offensive line, but the pressure was a tad high this week, especially when the Patriots had to throw the ball in the fourth quarter.

7. RB Rhamondre Stevenson amid two turnovers as Pats lose game

After the game, head coach Jerod Mayo pointed to his team’s three turnovers to Buffalo’s one giveaway as a key to the game going in the Bills’ favor. The Pats leader was in the mix on two of those three turnovers. It’s hard to put the backward pass on Stevenson as it was mainly on Maye for throwing it and Jacobs for missing his block. However, Rhamondre fumbled for an NFL-high seventh time on Sunday, setting up a Bills field goal. Stevenson now has as many fumbles this season as his first year combined. He’s grinded out tough yards with bodies flying around him all year, but Stevenson needs to clean up his fumbling issues as we look forward. Stevenson signed a four-year extension with the Patriots last season, so his ball security needs to improve.

8. Patriots fake a punt and start the game with 42-yard return

Despite being a stud punt returner Marcus Jones, the Patriots had a strong showing on special teams. Pats running back Antonio Gibson opened the game with a 42-yard kickoff return that set up the offense with great field position. Then New England extended a drive by converting a fake punt on a 4th and 1, an example of their aggressiveness.

On the fake punt, the Patriots snapped the ball directly to personal guard Dell Pettus. Buffalo actually played the fake punt well, but the Pats got a good push on the interior to make the drive win. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t capitalize on the successful fake punt, but it was a good moment for special teams coordinator Jermey Springer’s unit. Finally, newly signed WR Alex Erickson replaced Jones (punts) and Hasty (kickoffs) as a primary returner.