The New England Patriots played their best game since before Cam Newton’s Coronavirus diagnosis in early October, but they still came up short in the end against the Buffalo Bills: the team lost 24-21 — a defeat that was sealed when Newton lost a fumble deep inside Bills territory, costing the Patriots a chance at either a game-tying field goal or a go-ahead touchdown.
With all that said, here are four plays worthy of being named the biggest from the game from New England’s perspective. Please make sure to vote for your favorite below. The play with the most votes, as always, will be broken down in greater detail later during the week.
1.) J.C. Jackson’s interception
Mr. INT with the pick. pic.twitter.com/ShSv7lbmXm
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) November 1, 2020
With the first half winding down, the Bills were in a position to add to what was then a 7-3 lead. They were right on the edge of field goal range, facing a 3rd-and-8. Instead of possibly keeping the drive alive or setting up a manageable attempt for rookie place kicker Tyler Bass, however, Buffalo turned the football over: Josh Allen fired an inaccurate pass towards Stefon Diggs, with J.C. Jackson capitalizing and picking off the pass. The interception was not all there is to the play, though, as the Patriots’ cornerback returned it 25 yards to the Bills’ side of the field — setting up a field goal for his own club in the process.
2.) Damien Harris to the house
Harris to the pic.twitter.com/JmQqel6s5j
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) November 1, 2020
With Sony Michel still sidelined, Damien Harris continues to flourish as the Patriots’ lead back. While he had a comparatively quiet start to the game, like the entire offense surrounding him, the second-year back played some tremendous football in the third and fourth periods. His highlight was probably the play depicted above, a 22-yard touchdown run late in Quarter Three — the first touchdown of Harris’ career, and a play that helped New England tie the contest at 14 after a successful two-point try that followed it.
3.) Cam Newton finds the end zone
QB1 TD pic.twitter.com/JDgXeS33G4
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) November 1, 2020
Before his game-deciding fumble later in the fourth quarter — more on that in a second — Cam Newton scored his team-leading sixth touchdown of the season. On a 3rd-and-goal from the Buffalo 2-yard line, the Patriots’ starting quarterback was able to get around the corner and into the end zone. The score tied the game at 21 with under 10 minutes remaining, and set up a thrilling finish with a climax also involving Newton.
4.) Cam Newton’s fumble
Cam Newton's fumble ices the game for the Bills
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 1, 2020
(via @nflbrasil) pic.twitter.com/6TEUnGmAUV
The starts had aligned for the Patriots to break their three-game losing streak. Time was winding down, they were moving the football well on offense, and only three points down were going for the winning touchdown rather than the tying field goal. And yet, however, they came up empty in the end: Newton lost the football on a rushing attempt with the Bills recovering for a game-ending change of possession. It’s been that kind of a season for the Patriots.
With all that said, what do you think was the biggest play from the Patriots’ loss on Sunday?
Poll
Which play was biggest play from the Patriots’ loss to the Bills?
This poll is closed
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1%
J.C. Jackson’s interception
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8%
Damien Harris to the house
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1%
Cam Newton finds the end zone
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88%
Cam Newton’s fumble