FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Well, it wasn’t exactly pretty, but it’s over. The Buffalo Bills ended their regular season with a disappointing 23-16 loss to the New England Patriots, completing the campaign at 13-4 and securing the No. 2 seed for the AFC playoffs. With most starters resting to maintain their health for the postseason, this game was primarily about evaluating backups and minimizing injury risks.
The game saw minimal action from key players like quarterback Josh Allen, who only stepped on the field to hand off the ball to running back James Cook. Allen’s brief appearance extended his consecutive start streak to 105 games, the longest active streak by any quarterback in the league, as noted by NFL insider Adam Schefter.
“One snap, one handoff,” Schefter recounted. “What did he do to deserve a game ball? Allen did exactly his job – he got in, did not get hurt, and got out.” Such an approach showed the Bills' focus on ensuring their leading players are ready for the challenges of the playoffs.
Mitch Trubisky took over after Allen's departure and helped the Bills make history. He connected with rookie running back Ray Davis for a touchdown, marking the team's 30th passing touchdown of the season. This accomplishment made the Bills the first team ever to achieve 30 passing and 30 rushing touchdowns within the same campaign, showcasing their offensive versatility.
After the game, it was evident the Bills were not worried about the score but instead evaluated their roster depth. The Patriots’ rookie backup, Joe Milton III, had his moment, throwing for 241 yards and leading his team to victory. Milton, stepping in for starter Drake Maye, became the game’s standout with 11 completions out of 11 attempts at one point, underlining the competitive nature of such matchups.
For the Bills, running back James Cook made his mark by tying the team’s single-season rushing touchdowns record with 16, capping off his growth as a pivotal player. His touchdown followed Davis's catch-and-run, which tied the score 7-7 during the contest.
Defensively, the Bills had their chances, though they primarily fielded backups throughout the match. They confronted challenges, with rookie linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio getting his first career start. Ulofoshio made notable tackles but also faced the learning curve typical of young players under bright lights.
Despite the loss, Coach Sean McDermott expressed satisfaction with the team’s decision-making, focused not on the outcome but on preparing and evaluating talent for the playoffs. Losing against the Patriots, who were struggling with their draft positioning after this win, had little long-term impact on the Bills' goals. The game served its purpose for the Bills, allowing them to observe their depth chart and certain combinations for the playoffs.
The Patriots’ win left them with the fourth pick of the draft and also highlighted their inconsistency this season, forcing management to reconsider their strategies heading forward. The uncertainty surrounding New England's future was palpable, particularly as they finished with questions about what lies ahead.
Players like Trubisky and Davis may have secured their positions and improved their standing within the Bills’ roster heading toward the postseason. For the Bills, this game served as both closure to the regular season and the beginning of preparations for what they hope will be another deep playoff run.
The next step for the Bills will be their first playoff game, where fans will be eagerly waiting to see how their team adapts and turns the lessons learned from Week 18. Scheduled announcements about the playoffs were expected soon after the game, setting the stage for the Bills' postseason campaign. The horsepower of their offense and the resilience of their depth could give them the edge they need against the incoming competition.