With Mike Vrabel now the head coach of the New England Patriots, the team is much mor of a viable threat in the AFC East.
Vrabelâs arrival gave the Patriots instant credibility (he compiled a 54-45 record with three playoff appearances and an AFC Championship Game appearance in six seasons with the Tennessee Titans).
It also signaled a clear change in culture from previous head coach Jerod Mayo. Vrabel had the Patriots 11-2 entering Sundayâs Week 15 rematch with the Bills, who they beat 23-20 back in Week 5.
After falling behind 21-0 through the first quarter-and-a-half of Sundayâs contest, Buffalo stormed back to take a 28-24 lead by the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Things got a little chippy in the third quarter on a play thatâs likely to result in some NFL discipline next weekend.
Matt Milano Involved in Sideline Scuffle
GettyBuffalo Bills LB Matt Milano tackles New England Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson
With 3:31 left in the third quarter, the Patriots were looking to respond to an 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive from the Bills that closed the gap to 24-21.
On the second play of the drive, New England fed the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who stirred up some controversy after the whistle.
Quarterback Drake Maye hit Stevenson for a 16-yard reception. After being ran out of bounds along the left sideline, linebacker Matt Milano and a few other Bills defenders had Stevenson surrounded.
The 27-year-old running back seemingly took exception to that, and he responded by striking Milano right in the face mask. Some pushing and shoving ensued after, and the play resulted in offsetting penalties. Both Milano and Stevenson were flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Though the penalties were offsetting, Stevenson is likely to hear from the NFL next weekend when it releases its list of weekly fines. Players are typically fined $11,000-$12,000 for striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing on first offenses, which escalate up to $17,000 for second offenses.
Bills Pull Off Improbable 21-Point Comeback
The Patriots got off to a fast start as the Bills struggled to find their rhythm early.
Maye reeled off two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter (8 and 7 yards), and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson added insult to injury with a monster 52-yard touchdown scamper that pushed New Englandâs lead to three touchdowns.
But Bills QB Josh Allen came to life after Hendersonâs touchdown. He went 4-for-4 for 25 yards on Buffaloâs next drive, which was capped off with a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back James Cook.
After holding the Patriots to a field goal on their next drive, the Bills cut the deficit to 10 points with a six-play, 44-yard touchdown drive, capped off with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Allen to tight end Dawson Knox.
Cook scored a 2-yard touchdown on the Billsâ next drive (11 plays), then a Maye interception on the next drive allowed Buffalo to take the lead after a 13-play, 91-yard touchdown drive engineered by Allen, who hit Knox for a 14-yard score to put Buffalo ahead 28-24.
The two teams traded touchdowns on their next two drives, but the Bills (10-4) held on to pull out a 35-31 come-from-behind win and pull to within one game of the Patriots (11-3) lead in the AFC East.
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