The New England Patriots missed out on a chance to win the AFC East for the first time in five years on Sunday as they fell to the Buffalo Bills 35-31. The Pats took a 24-7 lead into halftime, but were outscored 28-7 in the final 30 minutes of the game en route to their defeat.
New England fans were quick to blame the officiating after a couple of controversial calls in the second half, most notably a non-call on a deep pass from Josh Allen to Bills’ receiver Khalil Shakir. Marcus Jones was in coverage and seemed to come down with the ball after a wrestling match with Shakir, but it was ruled a catch by the receiver and pass interference by Jones, much to the dismay of Pats fans.
Jones gave his comment on the play after the game.
“I turned around and came down with the ball, but the ref called a P.I., so that’s what he called,” Jones said. “Yeah, I did [catch the ball], but the play is called by the referee, so at the end of the day, he called it a pass interference.”
This was one of a couple of controversial calls that have left Pats nation in shock following the game.
Edelman Gives Take on Patriots Second Half Collapse
Patriots legendary wide receiver Julian Edelman gave his thoughts on New England’s second half collapse on Sunday on his podcast, “Games With Names.”
“Everyone’s like, ‘Oh the penalty,’” Edelman said in reference to the Jones play. “No! You’re up 24-7 at halftime. There are going to be penalties. That’s not going to make or break the game. The going three-and-out will make or break a game. The kickoff out of halftime for 58 yards or whatever it was, will break the game.”
Edelman was a huge proponent of the “no excuses” mentality during his playing career, and is certainly still a believer in that mantra now that he is a podcaster.
He also referenced some of the injuries the Patriots are dealing with, namely to pass rusher Milton Williams.
“You definitely saw how deficient the defense was for the Patriots without Milton Williams in a got-to-have-it-type game,” Edelman said noted. “They were undermanned, but so were the Buffalo Bills. So is everyone else.”
Edelman also believes this loss could be a good time for New England to reset; after all, it was their first loss since week three, breaking a nearly three month unbeaten streak.
“This could help them, to show like, no, 10-game winning streaks aren’t real,” he said. “After you start winning like that, you have to continue to play good football.”
“Great lesson to learn, but they’ve got to pick it up, because they’ve got to go out and beat Baltimore now.”
Patriots Traveling to Baltimore For Sunday Night Football
New England will head a few states south to take on the embattled Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football in week 16, as Baltimore looks to claw it’s way back to the top of the AFC North.
The Patriots are 3-0 in primetime games this season; they beat Buffalo on SNF in week five, the Jets on Thursday Night Football in week 11, and the Giants on Monday Night Football in week 13.
The Ravens need the win to draw closer to the Steelers atop the AFC North, which is their only path to the postseason at 7-7.
Baltimore is a three point favorite over New England.
Patriots Legend Gives Brutally Honest Take on Loss to Bills