Buffalo Sports News

Buffalo Sports News

Buffalo Rumblinks, 1/6: Bills close regular season with loss to Patriots

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NFL: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
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Observations, analysis, report cards and recaps from Buffalo’s loss in New England

The AFC East champion Buffalo Bills (13-4) closed out the 2024 NFL regular season with a 23-16 road loss against the New England Patriots (4-13)

Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks offers up observations and analysis from the Bills’ setback to the Patriots, a loss that kept the Bills from sweeping their AFC East foes for the first time since the 2020 season, but also prevented New England from claiming the top overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Observations and analysis from Buffalo Bills’ loss

Earlier in the week, Bills head coach Sean McDermott stated he would deploy a healthy blend of his starters and backups during Sunday’s game vs. New England. Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen earned the start, handing the ball off once to running bak James Cook before ending his afternoon. The start keeps Allen’s consecutive games started streak alive at 115 straight games.

In other news, Cook equaled the single-season franchise record for rushing touchdowns; edge rusher Von Miller earned a hefty incentive with a sack on New England’s first possession; quarterback Mitchell Trubisky performed admirably in making his first start of the season; running back Ray Davis enjoyed a solid day out of the backfield; punter Sam Martin earned an incentive bonus with his latest punt downed inside the 20; Buffalo’s defensive line struggled to generate any pressure on backup quarterback Joe Milton III; and the Bills emerged unscathed on the injury front heading into the playoffs.

The Bills also became the first team to amass 30 rushing and 30 passing touchdowns in a season in the loss.

Recapping Buffalo’s 23-16 loss to New England

A run through the biggest plays that influenced the outcome of Sunday’s loss, along with game recaps.

Report cards and positional grades

Catch up on report cards to see what players are trending up and whose stock is on the decline following Buffalo’s road loss in New England.

Bills will host Broncos on Wild Card weekend

Thanks to their 38-0 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos clinched the seven seed in the AFC playoffs and will come to Highmark Stadium for a 1 p.m. EST game Sunday afternoon on Super Wild Card Weekend.

Bills react to loss to Patriots

Hear Sean McDermott, Mitchell Trubisky, Ja’Marcus Ingram, and Sam Martin reflect on Buffalo’s loss to New England.

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