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How Did the Patriots Blow a Division-Clinching 21-Point Lead?
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How Did the Patriots Blow a Division-Clinching 21-Point Lead?

Originally posted on The Lead  |  By Michael Petitto  |  Last updated Dec 16, 2025 10:20 PM ET
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The New England Patriots’ second matchup of the season against the Buffalo Bills, arguably the most important game hosted at Gillette Stadium in over five years, did not end how the home team imagined.

Win and the Patriots secure the AFC East for the first time since 2019; lose and Buffalo would be right back in contention to snatch the division crown for the sixth straight year.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels decided to empty his bag of tricks in the first half to put New England that much closer to a hat and T-shirt victory, but the success was short-lived.

Josh Allen once again turned into Superman in the second half as Buffalo put together a string of methodical drives to not only stay in the division race, but hand New England its first loss since week three.

It was all so simple in the first half… what happened?

McDaniels Dials Up the Play Calls

The Patriots started the game off blazing hot. New England began to utilize a part of Drake Maye’s game that’s gone under the radar this season, his legs.

So far this season, McDaniels and the offensive coaching staff haven’t dialed up too many designed quarterback runs for one of the league’s ascending signal callers. But that changed as the Patriots drove down the field on the opening drive and landed in the red zone with an opportunity to strike first. 

Maye got loose on the ground, delivering on a designed quarterback run on the left side of the field, along with getting a great block from Kayshon Boutte to put the Patriots up seven.

That was just the beginning of the McDaniels masterclass, as just a couple drives later New England called the classic flea flicker that got Buffalo on its toes and allowed Rhamondre Stevenson to get open for an eight yard gain.

Just a couple plays later, the Patriots found themselves in the red zone once again. McDaniels made use of Maye’s legs, once again.

In a spread empty set formation, Maye simply called for the ball and ran straight towards the endzone for the Patriots’ second touchdown of the ballgame.

Gillette Stadium rained down with cheers as the scoreboards read 21-0 in favor of New England.

But that’s as good as it was going to get for the Patriots.

Buffalo’s Comeback Makes You “Wanna Shout”

Allen and the Bills started picking up steam during the end of the first half, compiling a touchdown drive topped off with a short pass to James Cook to breathe life back into the Buffalo offense.

In the third quarter the Patriots offense went completely dark, non-optimal field position and conservative play calling from McDaniels contributed to an increase in opportunities for Allen and the Bills.

The Patriots defense did a phenomenal job of holding Allen in the pocket in the first half. They must have been replaced during halftime because Buffalo’s adjustments coming into the third quarter led to a defensive collapse. 

Allen took control of the tempo and the game, leading multiple touchdown drives to take the lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

But just as it seemed like New England ran out of gas, rookie sensation TreVeyon Henderson bounced off his own lineman and blazed across the field for a 65-yard score.

However that joy wouldn’t last very long. Allen took command of the field once again and led another touchdown drive, which would be the final score of the game.

New England had a couple more chances on both sides of the ball, but were unable to capitalize.

The Patriots will have to wait at least another week to get the opportunity to win the AFC East while Buffalo keeps its hopes of a sixth consecutive division title alive.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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