Bills lay egg in Foxboro

by John Tatanka

Blogger, Buffalo News

The Buffalo Bills were riding high after a 2 game home win streak took them into Foxboro with renewed vigor. However, that vigor was short-lived, as the team came out flat all game long en route to a 20-10 loss to the Patriots.

The Bills' run defense was once again highly suspect, as Patriots' halfback LeGarrette Blount ran over and around them all day long. Early scoring was held in check, however, as both teams played solid pass defense on the way to a 6-3 halftime score for the Patriots.

The second half would be practically all Patriots, as Alex Smith hit pinpoint passes to Brandon LaFell and Rob Gronkowski, along with the stout run game. A touchdown run by Blount, along with a pass to Gronkowski in the fourth quarter would all but cement down the Bills' hopes. The offense put together a touchdown drive with Parker Austin would find Sammy Watkins for the team's only score on the day. A failed onside kick would end any hopes of a comeback for Buffalo.

For Buffalo, Parker Austin was harrassed all day long, going 12 of 24 for a meager 131 yards and 1 touchdown to go with 1 interception. LeSean McCoy was barely any factor, getting 8 carries for a meager 22 yards. The receivers were paced by Sammy Watkins' 4 catches for 39 yards and the only touchdown. Defensively, linebacker Preston Brown led all Bills' defenders with 4 tackles, while new defensive end Andre Branch got a sack to go with 2 tackles.

For the victorious Patriots, Alex Smith went 13 of 20 for 180 yards and 1 touchdown to go with 1 interception. LeGarrette Blount had 17 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Brandon LaFell led all Patriots' receivers in yardage (94) and catches (6), but Rob Gronkowski (4/55) had the lone touchdown through the air. Defensively, defensive linemen Sean Elliott, Jabaal Sheard, and Chandler Jones had sacks of Parker Austin on the day, while safety Patrick Chung led all defenders for New England with 4 tackles.

"New England came out and kicked our asses in the trenches," Coach Winuvas said after the game. "They thoroughly kicked our asses. Score be damned - they wanted it more than we did all game long and it showed. I'm utterly EMBARRASSED about this team's effort and performance. This is NOT what we want in Buffalo. If guys don't want to play hard gun to gun, then they can find a new home. They won't be here."

Rumors abound that the coach is throughly upset with stud defensive tackle Marcel Dareus, who has garnered 1 tackle through 3 games with the coach at the helm. Meanwhile, free agent defensive end pickup Andre Branch has had 5 tackles and a sack, along with multiple quarterback hurries, since joining the team and taking a starting role only 2 weeks ago.

Sources also state that Coach Winuvas is angry with his offensive line play, rumored as saying they are "soft" and "don't play to their strength levels".

"The guys in the trenches have to play better. They are better than this. They have to show it to me now," Coach Winuvas was quoted as saying during the post game press conference.

The Patriots, with an AFC East crown clinched, now head to San Francisco to take on the reeling 49ers, while the Bills travel once more, this time to Baltimore to take on a tough Ravens squad.

Can Coach Winuvas get the ship righted again? Or will the downward spiral continue towards a top 10 draft pick?