The New England Patriots looked well on their way to their first AFC East title in six years at halftime of Week 15 vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Then, Josh Allen took over.
The Patriots not only failed to clinch the division, but still haven’t officially wrapped up a playoff berth, though that is still a foregone conclusion and will almost certainly happen in Week 16.
NFL senior writer Zak Keefer of The Athletic said on Monday, however, that Sunday afternoon’s result at Gilette Stadium proved that the Bills are as dangerous as ever.
“If the first half felt like the changing of the guard — the upstart Patriots riding a 10-game win streak and looking to end the Bills’ five-year reign atop the AFC East — the second half offered a stern reminder: Buffalo can beat anyone, anywhere,” Keefer wrote. “With the coming AFC playoffs featuring no (Patrick) Mahomes and no (Joe) Burrow, the door feels like it’s as open as it’s ever been. Buffalo now has its seventh straight 10-win season and is just a game back of New England in the AFC East. Allen looks primed to make a deep run.”
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New England still controls its own destiny, as it’ll clinch the AFC East if it wins out, but a regular season sweep of Buffalo would’ve done wonders for Patriots fans’ confidence in a lengthy playoff run.
Drake Maye may have lost his chance at a shocking MVP finish in the defeat, but more importantly, New England is now looking up at the Denver Broncos in the race for the top seed in the conference playoff picture as well.
The Patriots face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
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Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images
