The New England Patriots fell to 3-12 on the season after a narrow 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. Despite the defeat and their challenging record, the Patriots put up a strong effort on Sunday.

Bills quarterback and MVP favorite Josh Allen acknowledged their competitiveness, praising the Patriots during his postgame press conference.

“That’s a better team than their record shows,” Allen said. “Division games are always tough. They’ve faced us a lot over the past five years, so we’re familiar with each other. They came ready to play today.”

The Patriots entered Orchard Park as huge 14.5-point underdogs, having lost four straight games and had one of the worst NFL records. They had an almost impossible task against a team that had scored 30 points in a record-tying eight consecutive games before to Sunday and was still vying for the AFC’s top postseason seed.

Nevertheless, New England established their dominance early on, leading 14-0 in the first half of the second quarter. That lead was short-lived, as three consecutive drives in the second half ended in turnovers.

On both sides of the ball, however, New England gave the reigning AFC East winners all they had.

According to linebacker Terrel Bernard, “that’s a good team.” They have participated in almost every game they have played this season. They have a strong quarterback, a strong offensive line, strong running backs, and two tight ends that excel in the throwing game. We were aware that the game would be difficult.

They performed a great deal of man. They appeared. Allen said, “They got their hands on and were undercutting some of our crossing routes.” “We’ll examine that and attempt to get some counters to agree.”

Ultimately, the Bills prevailed, and with a record of 12-3, they remain in the running for the conference title. There are still some encouraging aspects of the game for the Patriots, though, beginning with their performance in the first half and increased level of intensity in contrast to their lethargic defeat in Arizona the week before.

Head coach Jerod Mayo swiftly put an end to any discussion of a “moral victory” on Monday, despite all of that and the Bills’ commendation.

Before acknowledging that there is a lot to learn from the game, he stated, “I don’t believe in good losses.” We are moving in the right path, but in order to succeed in this league, we must be consistent from game to game and go down after down.

 

Patriots fan Bill Simmons makes bold guarantee about Drake Maye.

In Week 16, the New England Patriots fell to the Buffalo Bills 24–21. Even though New England suffered a devastating defeat, Drake Maye showed them a lot of promise in the first quarter. Despite leading 14-0, the Pats let it slip away by giving up 24 points in a row. Bill Simmons, the founder of The Ringer and a renowned Patriots supporter, declared his affection for Drake Maye on his podcast.

“I’ll go farther, my 21st-century favorite Boston rookie. I’m all in, and I’d be content to be tormented by this clip indefinitely. There’s no doubt about Drake Maye. We’ve been watching, and now every Pats fan is nodding. “Our team is terrible, he’s f—-ing amazing,” Simmons remarked.

Prior to this remark, his co-host “Cousin,” Sal Iacono, said that Simmons also adored Mac Jones, who placed second in the 2021 Rookie of the Year poll. Simmons continues by saying that he prefers Maye as a rookie to either Jayson Tatum or Mookie Betts. He claims that the reason they are losing games is because he has neither receivers nor protection.

This season, Maye has made nine starts and concluded with one victory. Jacoby Brissett played the most of the victory over the Jets, which he receives credit for. However, Simmons and other Patriots supporters are convinced of the North Carolina product.

In the appropriate year, the Patriots selected a quarterback.

Last season, the Patriots picked third as a result of their four victories. They would have gotten one of the quarterbacks that everyone was talking about prior to the draft, even though they missed out on Caleb Williams. Many were taken aback when the Commanders selected Jayden Daniels, leaving Drake Maye for the Pats.

Simmons acknowledges that Maye might not even be the class’s top quarterback. He presented the quarterback for Washington with flowers. The craziest part is that Daniels is so good that he might not even be the greatest quarterback in his class. There would be no contest if you pitted Drake Maye against Caleb.

Furthermore, this isn’t even a class of three-quarterbacks. Bo Nix has a bright future in the NFL and has the Broncos on the verge of the playoffs. To Iacono’s point, Patriots supporters would proclaim him the next Tom Brady regardless of who the team selected. However, Maye’s unique plays have given Patriots supporters hope for the first time since Brady’s departure.

Maye can play playoff spoiler in the last games of the season and finish strong against the Chargers and Bills.