It was a battle between two of the AFC’s best with league elite defenses. The New England Patriots were ultimately the ones who squeezed past the division rival Buffalo Bills 24-17.
Here are the winners and losers in the battle that took every minute.
Winner: Tom Brady
His best performance of the season by far, Tom Brady kicked off the game with over 10 straight completions.
He looked comfortable and was threading the needle in classic Brady fashion. Most notably, a throw to Mohamed Sanu for a first down.
Brady was consistent and on his game with a clean pocket not throwing any interceptions and looked to be clicking with all of his young targets.
A performance like this was definitely needed against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Push: Rex Burkhead
With an offense struggling constantly to move the ball, a turnover on the first drive is just not acceptable.
The fumble not only ended the Patriots’ first drive, but opened the door for the Bills to score their first three points and take the lead.
No good.
Burkhead rebounded with two great catches and runs to set up the Patriots in Bills territory.
The second effort touchdown to put the Patriots in the lead took him out of the loser column. However, this does not entirely make up for the possible lost points he caused the Patriots to leave on the board.
Winner: Matt LaCosse
Where have you been the entire season Matt LaCosse?
Ranked dead last in tight end production, Brady went to LaCosse early and was an instrumental part of the Patriots’ first touchdown drive.
LaCosse a clear winner today.
Loser: Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty
In what has been all too common in his career, the former Oregon Duck struggled in coverage tonight.
In a last minute drive in the first half, quarterback Josh Allen heaved the ball to Dawson Knox to set up a scoring opportunity inside the 1-yard-line.
It does not help that the safety’s season has been hampered by injuries.
One play is all it takes to change a game and this one definitely turned the tide going into the locker room for halftime. It is something that Belichick will play over and over again in the film room.
To add insult to injury, Chung’s roommate in the secondary Devin McCourty was also porous in coverage losing a battle with John Brown which put the Bills ahead 17-13. The longest play from scrimmage the Bills had all season.
Winner: Julian Edelman
A warrior who probably should not have played in this game.
The Kent State alum took a huge hit and was taken to the locker room without his locker room assumed to be in concussion protocol.
This did not phase Edelman who came right back on the field to make a huge 30-yard catch and run that set up the Patriots in the red zone and their go-ahead score
Edelman had five receptions for 72 yards with a pivotal two-point conversion reception to put the Patriots up seven.
Great performance by a hampered Edelman.
