The Buffalo Bills’ star quarterback, Josh Allen, has fought toe-to-toe with Drake Maye all season for the top spot on the passing yards leaderboard. But on Thursday Night Football, not only did Allen lose the QB battle, he watched Buffalo’s playoff grip slip into the hands of the Pats. Now, the tables have turned in favor of the Patriots, thanks to Allen’s misfortune and Maye’s hot streak.​

In Foxborough, Maye and the Pats are making noise. Sitting atop the AFC East at 9-2 after eight straight wins, their path looks clear for a playoff ticket. They’re facing the league’s lighter lot over the next few weeks.

Starting with the Cincinnati Bengals this week, who’ve won only three games all season. The matchups that follow: Giants, Ravens, Jets, and Dolphins. And the historical head-to-heads favor the Pats.

Meanwhile, back in Buffalo, it’s all anxiety and calculation. The Bills sit at 7-4, and the remaining schedule looks difficult with the Steelers, Bengals, Patriots, Browns, Eagles, and Jets ahead. 

The Bills Mafia watches nervously as the Pats pull away, led by Maye, who currently leads the NFL in passing yards (2,836) and completion percentage (71.9%). Allen trails just behind with 2,709 yards, but the gap feels wider with this latest loss. But what really flipped this contest against the Texans? Let’s break it down.

What went wrong for Josh Allen and the Bills?

The opening drive was a 10-play, 81-yard march capped by a touchdown from James Cook. But the Bills managed just thirteen more points for the rest of the night. Allen was sacked a career-high eight times. The last time Allen was sacked close to this number (7) was back in 2018, his rookie year, against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.

On the Thursday Night Football, the Texans’ defense bullied Buffalo’s offensive line all evening, forcing multiple turnovers and 12 quarterback pressures. Allen threw two picks and scored zero touchdowns. The final interception came when he tried to force the issue in the red zone rather than hitting a wide-open Dawson Knox, missing a chance to close out the win.​ 

“Again, had a chance to win it there at the end,” Allen said after the loss. “Defense bailed us out at times, and again, we drive in the ball on that last drive, and we’ve got to find a way to get him. We didn’t.”

The Bills’ defense performed about as expected. Before Week 12, the Bills were giving up an average of 22.9 points per game, and this week was no different. And a run of 17 points on three consecutive drives before halftime sums up what needs to be fixed. 

Allen summed it up: “Ultimately, we got to execute, and we didn’t do a good enough job of that tonight. Whatever situation, whatever circumstance, we got to we got to put our head down and find a way there, and on the field, we didn’t. That’s what it comes down to.” 

For the fans of the Bills Mafia, it’s frustration and waiting. For Pats fans in Foxborough, it’s hope and belief. Drake Maye might be ramping up for a playoff ride the city hasn’t seen since 2021.