FOXBORO -- Here are some quick-hitting impressions from New England's 16-0 loss to division rival Buffalo...
BILLS 16, PATRIOTS 0: Curran: Best and worst | Felger: Pats 'coached scared' with Brissett at QB | Brown: It was a 'complete debacle' | Curran: Shows how hard it is to win in the NFL |
* Jacoby Brissett got the start at quarterback for the Patriots as Jimmy Garoppolo continues to deal with his shoulder injury, but his second-career start did not go nearly as smoothly as his first. Once again sticking with a conservative game plan, the team's third-round pick went 17-for-27 for 205 yards, no touchdowns and no picks. Brissett, who was limited in practice last week with a thumb injury, was sacked three times for 18 yards and he lost a fumble. Through the first 30 minutes of play, he attempted just three passes, completing all three for 75 yards. The team ran 17 plays total in the first half.
* The Patriots may have been fortunate to get through the game with one quarterback. Brissett took two shots that briefly looked like they could have cost him plays. The first came in the second quarter when he scrambled up the middle and did not slide to avoid contact. He was hit hard by linebacker Zach Brown, and Brown's helmet hit Brissett's left forearm with enough force to pop the ball loose. Brissett did not miss any snaps on the subsequent drive. In the third quarter, Brissett did manage to slide after scrambling, but as he was falling to the turf he took a shot to the head and remained down briefly. He was not sent off the field to go through the concussion protocol, and the when the drive ended, he did not appear to be tested. Julian Edelman took two snaps as a Wildcat quarterback, running once for a one-yard gain and handing off once.
* The Patriots were dealt a pair of injuries late in the game that are worth monitoring. Martellus Bennett landed hard on his right shoulder in the fourth quarter after a 16-yard reception. The play put him over 100 yards receiving, but he had to be checked by trainers briefly before going back in the game. Bennett has been leaned on heavily as a significant portion of the team's running and passing attacks through four weeks. Also in the fourth quarter, Brandon Bolden appeared to suffer a knee injury after a 16-yard catch. He did not return. A core special teamer, any significant injury to Bolden would be a blow to the team's kicking game.
* The Patriots running game, which carried them offensively through the season's first three weeks, was not able to produce consistently against Rex Ryan's defense. They averaged 4.1 yards per carry, and LeGarrette Blount, who was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, picked up 4.2 yards per carry, but through three quarters that number was closer to 3.0. Ryan and his staff clearly wanted to make Brissett beat them with his arm, and the Patriots were not able to consistently make Buffalo pay with accurate throws down the field.
* Penalties hurt the Patriots, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. A massive gain that would have put the Patriots at the Bills' 1-yard line on their first play from scrimmage was wiped clean due to a Chris Hogan holding penalty. Edelman was flagged twice (one of which was accepted), and the Patriots offensive line combined for five penalties. Nate Solder, who had not been penalized through two games this season, was called for a hold and a chop block. In all the Patriots were penalized 9 times for 74 yards. Against a Bills team that has been undisciplined in losses to the Patriots in the past, it was the Patriots whose mistakes cost them.