Patriots vs. Bills highlights: 8 moments that defined the Pats’ loss in NFL Week 16

The New England Patriots did better than anticipated in their Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills. And yet, the end result was the same: a loss, dropping the team to 3-12 on the year.

Here is a Patriots-centric view at the game’s defining moments.

Moment No. 1: Drake Maye delivers a dime

The Patriots had only one opening drive touchdown on their résumé entering Week 16, but they went to work quickly and decisively against one of the NFL’s best teams.

Their six-play, 58-yard drive was capped off by a beautiful touchdown pass from Drake Maye to Kayshon Boutte: the rookie quarterback put the ball in the bucket with the sophomore receiver hauling it in for a 28-yard score. It was New England’s first opening TD since their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7.

Moment No. 2: Rhamondre Stevenson won’t go down

What’s more surprising than the Patriots taking a 7-0 lead in Buffalo? The Patriots taking a 14-0 lead. The team’s second touchdown in as many possessions came courtesy of running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who took a handoff 14 yards into the end zone for six.

The touchdown put the finishing touches on a mammoth 16-play, 91-yard rally that took 9:57 off the clock.

Moment No. 3: Run defense shows serious cracks

It was a sign of things to come for the Patriots defense. While the unit performed admirably against the Josh Allen-led passing game, it once again had some major issues versus the run game. James Cook’s 46-yard touchdown run in the early second quarter — cutting the Patriots’ 14-point lead in half — was a sign of things to come in that regard.

Moment No. 4: Marte Mapu’s rollercoaster interception

Té will take that @5Marte_‼️

: CBS pic.twitter.com/XlJVW4bOnd — New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 22, 2024

After being made a healthy scratch for both of the Patriots’ last two games, Marte Mapu had a busy day on Sunday. Not only did the sophomore safety serve as the on-field signal caller wearing the green dot on his helmet, he also managed to catch Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s first interception in four games in the second quarter.

However, the play did have a certain “no, no, no, no” element to it. After catching the pick with no Bills resistance whatsoever, Mapu decided to run the ball out. He did not get far, and was tripped up just as he crossed the goal line to set up New England’s offense at its own 1-yard line.

Moment No. 5: Patriots show some guts with fake punt

FAKE PUNT FIRST DOWN!!

: CBS pic.twitter.com/2iKrPsXiOD — New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 22, 2024

Head coach Jerod Mayo and his Patriots have been accused of being overly conservative at times this season. There was none of that in the second quarter on Sunday.

Faced with a 4th-and-1 at their own 23-yard line, they sent their punt unit onto the field. However, the ball did not end up touching Bryce Baringer’s right foot. Instead, rookie personal protector Dell Pettus received the snap and advanced the ball for 2 yards and a gutsy conversion.

While the drive itself ultimately did end with a punt, the fake punt allowed the Patriots to both improve their field position and burn two minutes off the clock late in the second period.

Moment(s) No. 6: Turnovers prove costly for Patriots

The Patriots came out of the half with a 14-7 lead, but quickly saw it turn into a 24-14 deficit. Not only did the run defense woes continue, New England also started giving the football away: the team’s first three drives of the second half all ended in a turnover.

First, it as Rhamondre Stevenson putting the ball on the ground to set up a Bills field goal. Next, Drake Maye threw an interception in the red zone. And then, finally, the cherry on top: a backwards pass intended for Rhamondre Stevenson that fell incomplete only to be recovered by Bills defensive back Taron Johnson for a touchdown.

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot, and throwing away a winnable game in the process.

Moment No. 7: A cowardly punt

NE decided to punt to BUF from the NE 45 on 4th & 6 with 8:33 remaining in the 4th while losing 14 to 24.

With a Surrender Index of 9.08, this punt ranks at the 95th percentile of cowardly punts of the 2024 season, and the 91st percentile of all punts since 1999. — Surrender Index 90 (@surrender_idx90) December 23, 2024

Down 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter, the Patriots found themselves in a 4th-and-6 situation at their own 45-yard line. Given that their offense had moved the ball well all game, staying on the field would have made sense — right? Well, head coach Jerod Mayo had other plans and decided to punt the ball to Buffalo.

While the Bills did not turn the subsequent possession into a score, they were able to hold the ball for four minutes in crunch time. For as aggressive as the team was on the fake punt above, this one was all the more cowardly.

Moment No. 8: A late touchdown

Drake Maye’s connection with tight end Hunter Henry started off hot, but cooled significantly from the second quarter on. The pair did hook up for a late 9-yard touchdown, but it was not enough to turn the tide.

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