For much of the Bills rivalry with the New England Patriots, the team had to navigate facing the greatest quarterback of in NFL history two times a season. Tom Brady dominated (32-2) Buffalo during his time under center for New England. The Bills were stuck in the mud for two decades.
Buffalo did get in a few shots over Brady’s tenure. Once he moved south and later retired, the dynamics between the AFC East squads changed greatly. The Patriots became the team trying to find itself and a new signal caller. The Bills endured years of losing to its big brother but learned and got better.
With the way things have changed over the last four years, Josh Allen now finds himself in the Brady role. He just doesn’t have the hardware to go with it. Allen may only be 6-5 against New England in his career, but three of those losses were to Brady.
Still thinking about this @JoshAllenQB pass…. pic.twitter.com/Xni3NYzcqJ
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 17, 2024
Having an MVP season also makes beating the Bills in 2024 less of a reality for Jerod Mayo‘s Patriots. Is it karma or a cosmic balancing after two decades of dominance? Many fans likely don’t feel bad for the Patriots. However, by drafting Drake Maye, 2024 may be one of the final seasons where the rivalry may be one-sided.
How Josh Allen’s Role In The Bills Rivalry With The Patriots Has Evolved
A Reversal of Roles
Buffalo knew it had something special within Allen’s first two years in the NFL. His first full year as a starter in 2019 showed glimpses of what fans all across the league are seeing in 2024:
- 2019 NFL Season – 58.8% completion rate; 3,089 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions; 510 yards, nine touchdowns on the ground
- 2020 NFL Season – 107.2 QB rating; 69.2% completion rate; 4,544 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions; 421 yards rushing, eight touchdowns on the ground
Allen vastly improved his accuracy, masking one of his main flaws coming out of college. He’s either maintained that rate or kept it in the mid-60s every year since. 2020 was also the first year Buffalo won the AFC East. Brady moved to Tampa Bay, leaving the division wide open.
In those four years, the former Wyoming product became the division’s new Brady and face of the AFC East. The New York Jets haven’t been able to get out of their own way. Adding Aaron Rodgers didn’t magically translate into double-digit wins.
The Miami Dolphins appeared to be on the right track with Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa. Health issues and inconsistency have kept them at Buffalo’s feet. The Bills easily clinched the division by Thanksgiving this year.
The First Look At The New Bills Rivalry With The Patriots
While it’s hard to compare the 2024 versions of the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots, there are similarities on the opposite side. New England was the picture of stability for nearly 20 years but has been in disarray since Brady took his talents to Florida.
Buffalo is the new class of the division and will probably be so for as long as Allen suits up for Bills Mafia. Even with all of the Patriots’ missteps since 2020, they may have found their quarterback for the next decade. Drake Maye, despite a lot of turmoil, has inspired optimism.
He’s endured a terrible offensive line, underwhelming weapons, an overmatched head coach, and an angry ownership group. Other rookies have put up much worse stat lines in their first year – 88.4 QB rating, 68.5% completion, 12 touchdowns, nine interceptions; 359 yards rushing, two touchdowns (10 games).
The North Carolina product hasn’t blown up like Mac Jones last year or displayed childish body language like top overall pick Caleb Williams. With all the turmoil he’s experienced in his rookie year, it would be understandable if he had an outburst or pouted at a press conference.
Drake Maye on Josh Allen comparisons: “I think I’ve got a long way to go to get anywhere close to playing like that.” pic.twitter.com/BqP7Z7uGZV
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) December 18, 2024
Maye possesses the mental fortitude and adaptability on the field to make up for a lot of New England’s many mistakes. He’s had more good games than bad while also learning on the fly despite a historically inept offense line and major drops in the passing game.
Success Takes Time And Isn’t Assured
Allen went through some growing pains as well, so he’s endured what Maye is going through in 2024. He’s also praised his counterpart this season. Even with how pathetic New England was last year, the team defeated the Bills 29-25 in Week 7. They also came out on top in the infamous 14-0 2021 showdown in Orchard Park. Mac Jones had two completions for 19 yards on a windy night in Buffalo.
The rivalry may seem one-sided lately, and for the most part, it is. But with a competent play-caller under center, both sides may get the first glimpse of a quarterback duel that may carry the division for the next five to seven years. Allen has taken to the Brady role so much so that he could win his first NFL MVP this season.
Buffalo is still playing for positioning in the AFC bracket. They can still earn the top seed if the Kansas City Chiefs falter. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens won’t slow down either. The Patriots are figuring out who from this season is worth keeping for next year.
A Bills win is likely in both meetings with New England to finish off the regular season. Both games will still provide a first look at what could be the next great quarterback rivalry in the AFC East.
Main Image: Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK
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