BSJ Game Report: Bills 27, Patriots 21 - Too many turnovers ruins great defensive effort

Sets up an interesting dynamic in Week 18 ... a loss to the Jets would really be huge for the Patriots. Can Bill Belichick, perhaps in his final game, stomach dropping a game to the hated Jets?

Sam Martin puts on a punting display for Bills: Buffalo's punter very likely was the difference in this game as he was 6 for 6 on punts inside the 20-yard line, including 3 inside the 10. New England's average start was their 17-yard line; Bills - 40. Meanwhile, Chad Ryland missed another field goal and the Patriots had delay of game on another miss from Ryland.

Patriots clinch last place in AFC East for the first time since 2000: Belichick's first season ... and possibly his last ending up in the same place. A sign?

TURNING POINT

The 51-yard pass from Josh Allen to Dalton Kincaid on the first drive of the second half against Kyle Dugger made it a 13-point game and tough sledding. Not sure where the help was for Dugger.

Then the 3rd and 7 pass from Allen to Khalil Shakir for 11 yards with 3:35 left. It was basically over at that point. Bills were in field-goal range.

SECOND GUESS

The Patriots had the ball, yes at their own 8-yard line, with 1:05 left in the first half, trailing 20-14, with all three timeouts knowing the Bills got the ball to start the second half. Yet Bill Belichick still ran it twice with Zappe. I understand it was a rough first half for the offense, but they were starting to settle down a bit. Not getting any points there and then the Bills scoring to open the second half made the odds of winning very long early in the third quarter.

"Zero," said Belichick when asked how much consideration he gave to trying to move the ball. "Zero."

TWO UP

Jalen Reagor: Had a miscommunication on one interception but he had a kickoff return for a touchdown and a terrific over-the-shoulder catch.

Defensive line: Did a great job keeping Josh Allen in the pocket and against the run for the most part.

THREE DOWN

Kyle Dugger : Led the team with 10 tackles and had a forced fumble, but that Kincaid catch was huge and he didn't seem to be aware of the snap.

Chad Ryland : He needs a reboot.

Bailey Zappe : Three interceptions is three interceptions. He did bounce back nicely, however.

TOP PLAYS

INJURIES

WR DeVante Parker (ribs): Was rule questionable to return,.

LB Jahlani Tavai (leg): Walked off under his own power. Returned on next play.

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Patriots need to lose the final game: I don't know how it is going to happen, but Sunday's matchup against the Jets could be huge for the franchise. If they lose, the Patriots are assured of at least a top 3 pick. If they win, they could drop all the way to 7th, I think. It would really benefit the franchise to pick 2nd in the draft.

Bills are going nowhere: That team is just not that good. Josh Allen is too inconsistent. The coaching is inconsistent. Stefon Diggs is nowhere to be found. The defense is hit and miss.