Allen Torches New England
Photo: Special for the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
In weather suited for only polar bears and penguins, the Buffalo Bills hosted their division rival New England Patriots last night at High Park Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The temperature at kick-off was a frigid 6 degrees with the wind making it feel like -6. It didn’t seem to bother the only geographically located New York team in the NFL. Buffalo jumper out to a 14-0 1st quarter lead before fans could get their second cup of hot chocolate.
The Bills wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as quarterback Josh Allen guides them on a 9 play, 70-yard drive ending in a 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Devon Knox giving them as early 7-0 lead. The Patriots took their first possession and saw rookie quarterback Mac Jones move them down to the Buffalo 34-yard line. From the shotgun, Jones, looked in the end zone for wide receiver Nelson Agholor as Bills safety Micah Hyde steps in front of the pass for the interception and touch back.
Allen let his legs dictate the team’s next scoring drive. Buffalo goes 70 yards in 9 plays ending in a 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox increasing the lead to 14-0. Allen running for 41 yards. The blow out was in full effect.
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
While the Patriots punted twice, managing only a field goal, Buffalo stampeded New England taking a commanding 27-3 halftime lead. It only got worse in the second half as the Bills tacked on 20 more points in the 47-17 trouncing. Allen finished his night throwing for 5 touchdowns, 308 yards, completing 21 of 25 passes. His counterpoint Jones was running for his life every time he dropped back in the pocket. Jones attempted 38 passes, completing 24 for 232 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The cold weather had no effect on the Bills running game as they rumbled for 174 yards with running back Devin Singletary leading both teams with 81 yards. When they weren’t pressuring Jones, the defense stuffed the Patriots ground game allowing only 89 yards.
The Bills have been patsies over the years against New England. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick took over in 2000 and coming into the playoff game compiled a record 36-8 record. Buffalo might as well been the Patriots second home as they won 19 of 22 games in Orchard Park. Unfortunately for Belichick, the loss was the worst in his 22-year career. He had never lost by 30 points in his playoff history. Said a very sullen Belichick, “not a lot to say here. Obviously Buffalo made more plays than we did today, played better than we did, coached better than we did. We just didn’t perform well enough to really have a good chance to win the game. We have to find a way to do better.”
Next week, Buffalo will either face Tennessee or Kansas City depending on the outcome off their games.
