The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots met up for a Thursday Night Football matchup that, at the beginning of the season, looked like it may be intriguing.
At that time, some thought Patriots quarterback Mac Jones may be a dark-horse MVP candidate and that his team would, in all likelihood, make the playoffs.
But coming into this matchup, New England was outside of the AFC playoff picture, while the Bills were riding fairly high with an 8-3 record, tied for the best in the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins.
In no-sweat fashion, Buffalo put down Bill Belichick’s crew, 24-10, and it got the job done with defense.
Despite not having linebacker Von Miller, who is out with a knee injury, the Bills prevented the Patriots from scoring a touchdown after the first quarter.
Jones went 22 of 36, throwing for 195 yards and a touchdown, and this fan blames Belichick for not giving his QB enough support.
There’s benching Malcolm Butler, there’s letting Tom Brady walk.
The #Patriots not surrounding Mac Jones with a competent coaching staff going into his second NFL season could go down as the worst coaching decision in Bill Belichick’s career.
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) December 2, 2022
This man went as far as to say that Jones simply won’t cut it as New England’s QB moving forward.
We don't have to reevaluate teams after every game.
The Bills have been a Super Bowl favorite since Day 1, and they remain so.
The Patriots are overpaying for a ton of weapons who aren't weapons, and they need a QB.
Onto Sunday and the other games.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) December 2, 2022
This Bills fan is grateful that the Patriots’ former dominance over his team has ended.
This is what the Patriots used to do to the Bills. This is glorious. pic.twitter.com/M854mGWqSR
— Jonny Yioulos (@JYioulos) December 2, 2022
This Bills reporter threw some shade at the Patriots for being in last place in the AFC East and having little, if any reinforcements.
It's a new era in the AFC East. The Patriots are going to be chasing the Bills and Dolphins because they have franchise QBs. The Jets have a top tier defense. The Patriots have… Matthew Judon and…? Stevenson is nice I guess. Enjoy the view from down there!
— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) December 2, 2022
Buffalo Continues To Build Its Case As The Team To Beat
The Bills may have a history and reputation as a bridesmaid team, dating back to its four consecutive Super Bowl losses in the early 1990s, but it’s possible that this is the year they break through and win it all.
Josh Allen is the game’s best quarterback, at least outside of Patrick Mahomes, and their defense, with some periodic exceptions, has been solid.
With games against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in the next two weeks, Buffalo could boldly stake its claim to another division title while building the swagger it needs to win the world championship.
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