Through two quarters, the Buffalo Bills are hanging in against the New England Patriots. They trail the division leaders 9-3 at the half, within range of a single touchdown to take the lead. Of course, with this Buffalo Bills offense, even a single touchdown may be too much to overcome in any given game.
The Bills defense has bent, but hasn’t broken, facing Tom Brady and the high-powered Patriots offense. They allowed the Patriots to get deep into Buffalo territory on three drives in the first half, but snuffed out each one and forced New England to settle for field goals. Matt Milano (pass breakup), Tremaine Edmunds (TFL) and Lorenzo Alexander (sack) were the key playmakers on each of those drives.
Buffalo’s offense was a sight to behold from the start of the game. They opened with a Wildcat run for a first down, then went back to variations on the direct snap multiple times. Buffalo also attempted a double reverse flea flicker, which fell incomplete past Charles Clay. The Bills, acknowledging their limited passing attack with Derek Anderson and their receivers, sprinkled the college concepts into other drives throughout the game, but still struggled to convert first downs.
Buffalo finally found room to work late in the first half, scoring a 47-yard field goal to get on the board with three. Unfortunately, they finished the drive with 1:44 for Tom Brady to work. The veteran quickly diced up Buffalo’s soft zone coverage to put his team in field goal range and add one more score before the half. Fortunately, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski hooked the 50-yard attempt wide right, preserving the six point lead.
The Bills will receive the ball to start the second half. Can they turn this game around? We’re talking about the game in here. Go Bills!