ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan acknowledged his team isn’t “the hunted” leading up to Sunday’s matchup with the New England Patriots.
He was right, and he continues to be after the Patriots beat the Bills 40-32 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Ryan took sole responsibility for the Bills’ loss after the game.
“Well, I’m gonna tell you exactly how I told our team,” Ryan said. “First off, this loss is squarely on one man’s shoulders. It’s on my shoulders. You know, yeah, we gotta get better as a team, there’s no question. But I have to get better. You know, (Bill) Belichick out-coached me. No question about it, and that’s where the game — that’s how it ended up, and it’s unfortunate. The plan has to be better on defense. Can’t give up 500 yards and beat anybody, and then we turn it over three times.
“You know, we did a horse (expletive) job, and it’s my responsibility. Our team will get better, but it starts with me getting better and looking forward to next week.”
The Patriots held a 37-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter as Buffalo fans filtered out of the stadium. The Patriots let up after that, so Belichick still tempered his enthusiasm after the game as he dismissed the notion he “out-coached” Ryan.
“No, it’s our players,” Belichick said. “Our players went out there and played. They made the plays to win the game, and I’d say they probably overcame some not-so-great coaching on my part. I’ll give the credit to our players. They did a good job. They deserve the credit. They’re the ones that made the plays.”
Thumbnail photo via Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports Images
