Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs quite simply lit Bill Belichick’s defense on fire in this contest. Allen completed 27-of-36 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns, and Diggs accounted for 145 yards and three of Allen’s four scores en route to a 38-9 win over the New England Patriots in Foxborough.
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STORY OF THE GAME
Pressured just six times in the game, Allen faced little pushback from the Patriots’ defense before being replaced by Matt Barkley in the fourth quarter. He should finish PFF’s reviews with an 85.0-plus PFF passing grade, at least one big-time throw and zero turnover-worthy plays.
No Patriots defensive back could stick with Diggs, but it was third-year Maryland product J.C. Jackson who got the worst of the Bills’ star wideout. He allowed two touchdowns and more than 80 yards in coverage on the night.
Nothing went right for New England offensively, either. Cam Newton started the game but was sent to the bench in the second half after completing just 5-of-10 passes for 34 yards and taking two sacks. And while Newton and starting running back Sony Michel averaged more than six yards per carry, the lack of a passing attack kept the team from keeping things close with Allen and company.
ROOKIE WATCH
Patriots rookie offensive tackle Michael Onwenu was perhaps the team’s lone bright spot. The former Michigan standout entered Week 16 as the NFL’s highest-graded rookie offensive lineman and added to his season-long dominance with another 70.0-plus PFF grade against Buffalo.
Bills rookie running back Zack Moss averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored a touchdown in the contest, but he forced just one missed tackle on PFF’s first review of the game. Fellow rookie Gabriel Davis had an underwhelming performance with just three receptions for 33 yards.
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