week

season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-carlton-davis-headlines-injury-ravens');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots’ Carlton Davis headlines laundry list of defensive injuries before Ravens game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Patriots-CB-Carlton-Davis-vs-NY-Giants.jpg"><figcaption>Eric Canha-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots’ Carlton Davis headlines laundry list of defensive injuries before Ravens game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-17T18:46:10-08:00">December 17th, 6:46pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-17T18:49:41-08:00">December 17th, 6:49pm</time><address><a>Yasmin Edañol</a>Yasmin D.G. Edañol is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with a background in scientific research and publishing. He brings a data-driven perspective to sports storytelling as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with a focus on the NBA. Whether it's breaking down a clutch play or a stat line, he believes every great moment has a deeper layer waiting to be uncovered.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">New England Patriots</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-dream-playoff-scenario-with-3-weeks-left-in-regular-season">New England Patriots enter Week 16 with tension rising</a> and answers needed fast. Carlton Davis sits at the center of a troubling injury report as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/nfl-news-patriots-ravens-features-plenty-on-line-both-teams-playoffs">Patriots prepare for a massive showdown with the Baltimore Ravens</a>. According to Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick, <a href="https://x.com/mikekadlick/status/2001405393491107864" rel="noopener">the list is long</a> and defensive-heavy, with Davis unable to practice due to a hip issue. The timing stings. The stakes are loud. December football does not wait.</p><p>The Patriots’ injury report painted a rough picture. Davis, Christian Elliss, Marcus Jones, Harold Landry, and Robert Spillane were all listed as non-participants. Christian Barmore was limited. That matters against Baltimore. This matchup carries real weight. Lamar Jackson is finding rhythm again, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/ravens-news-lamar-jackson-misses-practice-again-but-not-an-injury-this-time">although he missed practice</a>. The Ravens are sharpening their edge as the playoff race tightens. For the Patriots, the margin is razor thin. A win or tie punches a ticket. Help from elsewhere works too. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-news-patriots-ravens-week-16-flexed-prime-time">But in a game this big</a>, control is the point.</p><h2><b>Patriots defense under pressure as stakes climb</b></h2><p>It is never ideal to face Jackson with a depleted defense. It is worse when recent film offers little comfort. The Patriots struggled to stop the run. They struggled to get pressure. That reality looms larger with Carlton Davis sidelined and depth stretched thin. NBC Sports Boston noted the challenge is steep, and recent performances back it up. Stops vanished. Red zone resistance crumbled. The defense wore it.</p><p>Baltimore enters with momentum and urgency as the Patriots watch the margin shrink. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/ravens-news-lamar-jackson-baltimore-urgency-bengals">A dominant win over the Bengals reset the tone</a>. Practice intensity followed. Marlon Humphrey said it was contagious. Energy spilled everywhere. The Ravens are chasing the Steelers atop the AFC North, while the Patriots look to secure their path forward. They know December defines seasons.</p><p>The Patriots now face a defining test this Week 16. Can they rally short-handed? Can the defense rise when the lights are brightest? And when kickoff comes, the question will be simple and sharp. Who wants January football more?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots’ Carlton Davis headlines laundry list of defensive injuries before Ravens game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-dream-playoff-scenario-with-3-weeks-left-in-regular-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots dream playoff scenario with 3 weeks left in regular season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Drake-Maye-has-propelled-the-Patriots-into-the-top-spot-in-the-AFC-East.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots dream playoff scenario with 3 weeks left in regular season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-17T14:56:00-08:00">December 17th, 2:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-17T14:56:00-08:00">December 17th, 2:56pm</time><address><a>Steve Silverman</a>Steve Silverman has been covering the NFL for more than 35 years, and his writing has appeared in ESPN Magazine, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly, and Forbes.com. He has written 10 books, including "Who's Better, Who's Best in the NFL." He has won multiple awards from the Pro Football Writers of America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">New England Patriots</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New England Patriots were hoping for a respectable 2025 season when they hired Mike Vrabel to serve as the team’s head coach. The Bill Belichick-Tom Brady was long over and the team’s fans were tired of seeing the team finish the season with back-to-back 4-13 records and out of the playoffs in 4 of the last 5 years.</p><p>Vrabel and his players got the results that owner Robert Kraft and the team’s fans wanted to see — and quite a bit more. The maturation of 2nd-year quarterback Drake Maye has propelled <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-mack-brown-shares-eye-opening-drake-maye-story-showcasing-maturity">the Patriots</a> to the top of the AFC East, and they would have clinched the division title if they had beaten the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. While they jumped out in front and earned a 21-0 lead, they could not hold off Josh Allen and the Pats dropped a 35-31 decision.</p><p>There was no panic in the Patriots locker room after the loss. Instead, cornerback Carlton Davis said the Patriots looked at the game as a learning experience.</p><p>“That was a playoff game,” <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/16/sports/patriots-bills-afc-east-champion/">Davis said</a>, per Chjristopher L. Gasper of the <i>Boston Globe</i>. “The first one, and it’s cool because it wasn’t a real playoff game. But the stakes were a playoff kind of thing. It’s good for us to learn from this and make some corrections going into this backstretch.”</p><h2>Loss to Bills will not keep Patriots from winning the AFC East</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/TreVeyon-Henderson-is-a-huge-big-play-threat-out-of-the-backfield.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Patriots still have a 1-game lead over their division rivals and they can win the division by taking care of business and not needing help from anybody else. In addition to winning the AFC East, the Patriots are still in contention for the top seed in the AFC playoff structure and a bye in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.</p><p>The Denver Broncos (12-2) are 1 game in front of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/nfl-news-patriots-ravens-features-plenty-on-line-both-teams-playoffs">the Patriots</a> with 3 games to play, but the Broncos face a more challenging finish to their schedule than the Patriots, so it’s not inconceivable that they could earn that honor.</p><p>The Patriots have road games remaining with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets along with a home game against the Dolphins. The Patriots will be big favorites over the Jets and Dolphins, but their Sunday night game at Baltimore will be a big challenge.</p><p>The Ravens are fighting for a winning season and an opportunity to run down the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North and they are 3-point favorites over the Patriots.</p><h2>Ravens are biggest challenge for Patriots</h2><p>John Harbaugh’s team is desperate for the win, and the Patriots will have to play their best game in order to beat the veteran Ravens on the road. In addition to Maye, the Patriots will need big performances from rookie running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson along with wide outs Stefon Diggs and Kayson Boutte along with tight end Hunter Henry. The defense will have to contain Ravens QB Lamar Jackson.</p><p>If the Patriots are able to stay close in the first half, they should be able to hang in for 60 minutes. Going 3-0 in the final 3 weeks would clearly give Vrabel’s team the AFC East crown. However, even if they lose that game, they could still win the division by beating the Jets and Dolphins to close the season.</p><p>That would give them a 5-1 record against AFC East opponents, while the best the Bills could do is 4-2. Since the two teams split the season series, the division record is the next tiebreaker and that goes to the Patriots.</p><h2><b>The Pats would need help to earn the top seed in the AFC</b></h2><p>New England saw it’s 10-game winning streak come to an end with the loss to the Bills, but the Broncos were able to extend their winning streak to 11 games when they defeated the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. While head coach Sean Payton and Bo Nix clearly have talent and momentum, the closing schedule is a major challenge. The Broncos close with a home game vs. the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars, a road game against the suddenly ordinary Kansas City Chiefs (without Patrick Mahomes) and a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.</p><p>If the Patriots won all 3 games while the Broncos would lose 2 of 3, the Patriots would have a 1-game advantage in the standings and take the No. 1 spot in the AFC. However, if the teams finished tied in the standings, it would come down to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/den/denver-broncos">record of games in common</a>. The Broncos have the edge in that department, and that would give Payton’s team the tiebreaker.</p><p>The only way the Patriots are going to get the top seed in the AFC is if they finish with the best record. Tying for the best record would not get the job done against the Broncos.</p><p>The key for the Patriots is winning the division title and winning 2 of 3 games would get the job done. If they can take all 3 and the Broncos suddenly lose 2 of 3, that would give them the top spot in the AFC playoff structure and a bye in the Wild Card round. That would be the dream scenario when the postseason gets underway.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots dream playoff scenario with 3 weeks left in regular season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-mack-brown-shares-eye-opening-drake-maye-story-showcasing-maturity');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mack Brown shares eye-opening story about Patriots QB Drake Maye showcasing his maturity');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mack-Brown-shares-eye-opening-Drake-Maye-story-showcasing-his-maturity.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Mack Brown shares eye-opening story about Patriots QB Drake Maye showcasing his maturity</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-16T18:32:31-08:00">December 16th, 6:32pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-16T18:32:31-08:00">December 16th, 6:32pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">New England Patriots</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Former North Carolina head coach Mack Brown shared a cool story about <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-drake-maye-is-viewing-meltdown-vs-bills-as-an-opportunity">New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye</a> during his collegiate career with the Tar Heels.</p><p>Maye represented the program from 2021 to 2023, becoming a full-time starter under Brown’s direction in his last two seasons. During his Dec. 16 appearance on The Blue Print, Brown <a href="https://youtu.be/OS0v2iLDDUY?t=1621" rel="noopener">recalled a story</a> where Maye showed his maturity and self-awareness by both choosing to stay at UNC for less NIL money and also understanding where he needs to improve, not just for the NFL, but to help his teammates protect him better.</p><p>“We had Drake Maye. And Drake Maye got offered probably four times more money than we could afford to pay him at North Carolina to leave. And our offensive coordinator left,” Brown said.</p><p>“And Drake came in and said, ‘Coach, number one I don’t want to leave. I love this place.’ And I said, ‘Well, we’ll pay you this much money.’ And I said, ‘it’s not near as much as you’re being offered,’ And he said, ‘I don’t care, thank you. But I want to win.’ And I said, ‘Okay, we’re going to hire an offensive coordinator. What do you want? Tell me what you need. What do you need to help you get better?’ He said, ‘I need somebody to help me with my feet. I’m kind of all over the place.’ He said, ‘I need to get somebody that’s really fundamentally sound that will help keep me in the pocket because I drift. And if I’m not careful I drift into the rush, and it hurts our guys trying to protect.’”</p><h2><b>What lies ahead for Drake Maye, Patriots</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mack-Brown-shares-eye-opening-Drake-Maye-story-showcasing-his-maturity-2.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It’s clear that Drake Maye has an incredible mentality in terms of improving himself. It didn’t matter how things went down; Maye made it clear that he has the maturity and patience to grow into a star.</p><p>His start with the Patriots is showcasing a lot of promise, especially this season. 14 games into the campaign, he has completed 290 passes for 3,567 yards and 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also added 85 rushes for 362 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.</p><p>New England has an 11-3 record on the season, holding the top spot in the AFC East Division standings. They are above the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets at the moment. In terms of the AFC standings, they sit at second place. They are above the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers while trailing the Denver Broncos.</p><p>The Patriots will look to get back on the win column in their next matchup, being on the road. They face the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 21 at 8:20 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mack Brown shares eye-opening story about Patriots QB Drake Maye showcasing his maturity

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/nfl-stories/clutchpoints-week-16-nfl-mvp-power-rankings-josh-allen-topple-drake-maye-patriots');   ga('set', 'title', 'ClutchPoints’ Week 16 NFL MVP Power Rankings: Josh Allen topples Drake Maye, Patriots');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Josh-Allen-comes-back-to-topple-Drake-Maye-Patriots.jpg"></figure><h1>ClutchPoints’ Week 16 NFL MVP Power Rankings: Josh Allen topples Drake Maye, Patriots</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-16T17:25:14-08:00">December 16th, 5:25pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-16T17:26:57-08:00">December 16th, 5:26pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor, NFL and NCAA Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Buffalo Bills</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It’s very rare that you get a battle of top-three MVP candidates in December, but that’s exactly what we got on Sunday when Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills played Drake Maye and the New England Patriots.</p><p>Maye looked like he was poised to get his hands on the award and the AFC East crown when the Patriots went upon 21-0 in the first half. However, Allen had other ideas, staging a massive comeback that included five consecutive touchdown drives to help the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/bills-news-buffalo-make-history-21-point-comeback-patriots">Bills get a 35-31 win</a> and stay alive in the division race.</p><p>Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford strengthened his stranglehold on the top spot with a masterful performance in a 41-34 win over the Lions. He can make another big statement in a massive game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.</p><p>Did Allen do enough to pass Maye? And who rounds out the top five with just three weeks to go?</p><p><b>Honorable Mention: Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, Browns EDGE Myles Garrett, Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott</b></p><h2><b>5. Chargers QB Justin Herbert</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chargers-2.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The stats won’t tell you Justin Herbert should be anywhere near an MVP list. In order to truly grasp the impact that Herbert has, you really have to watch the Chargers play. The Los Angeles run game is above-average in terms of efficiency, but it doesn’t get a lot of explosive plays and also has a lot of negative gains.</p><p>The offensive line has been an abject disaster since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/chargers-news-la-gets-miserable-joe-alt-injury-update">Joe Alt suffered a season-ending ankle injury</a>, just the biggest of a long list of injuries up front. Herbert has been pressured 239 times total this season according to Next Gen Stats; Cam Ward (201) is the only other QB above 200. His 43.9% pressure rate trails only Justin Fields, who was benched midseason.</p><p>Despite all of those problems on offense, Herbert has the Chargers at 10-4 and still in the AFC West race despite the Broncos’ 11-game winning streak. In a win over the Chiefs on Sunday, Herbert throwing downfield into tight windows was Los Angeles’ only way to move the ball, and he did it often enough to get the win.</p><p>I would go as far as to make the case that if you replaced every quarterback in the NFL with a replacement-level player, the Chargers would experience the biggest drop-off. That alone won’t win him the award, but it’s enough for a spot on the list.</p><h2><b>4. Packers QB Jordan Love</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jordan-Love-with-GB-Packers-3.jpg"><figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Week 15 was a tale of two halves for Love and the Packers. Green Bay’s offense was on fire in the early going, getting out to a 23-14 lead over the Broncos despite some struggles in the red zone.</p><p>However, after a third-quarter interception by Patrick Surtain II, everything went downhill for Green Bay. Both <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/packers-news-micah-parsons-inspiring-message-torn-acl-i-am-not-defeated">Christian Watson and Micah Parsons got injured</a> and the Packers sputtered on both sides of the ball in a 34-26 loss.</p><p>Love likely needed a big performance and a win in that game in order to have a real chance to win the MVP, but he is still having one of the most efficient passing seasons in the NFL to remain at No. 4.</p><h2><b>3. Patriots QB Drake Maye</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Drake-Maye-throwing-on-the-run.jpg"><figcaption>Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Maye was not at the top of the list of problems that cost the Patriots the game, and their 21-0 lead, on Sunday, but the MVP is a narrative award. While Maye and the New England offense floundered due to penalties and offensive line injuries, Josh Allen completely took over and marched the Bills up and down the field to stay alive in the division race.</p><p>Maye is still the No. 1 reason for the Patriots’ stunning resurgence this season, and that has him comfortably in the top three as he has ascended to the elite tier of quarterbacks in just his second season. He has a chance to make a big statement in prime time when the Pats play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.</p><h2><b>2. Bills QB Josh Allen</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bills-QB-Josh-Allen-2.jpg"><figcaption>Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Maybe this is overreacting to the head to head and Allen’s Week 15 performance, but when Josh Allen takes over a game, there’s truly nothing like it in the sport at the moment. A couple of times per season, the reigning MVP will carry his team to victory no matter the circumstances around him, and he did just that on Sunday while making heroic play after heroic play.</p><p>Allen has the Bills sitting at 10-4 despite a banged-up offensive line, an average defense and a really poor receiving core that doesn’t get a whole lot of separation. But he is still Josh Allen, the best player in football, and that’s enough to have Buffalo contending for a Super Bowl once again.</p><h2><b>1. Rams QB Matthew Stafford</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Matthew-Stafford-throwing-2.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Allen still didn’t do enough to overtake Stafford, who was ruthlessly efficient in a 41-34 win over the Detroit Lions. Stafford finished 24-for-38 for 368 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for an offense that racked up 30 first downs on Sunday.</p><p>Things will be more difficult for Stafford in Week 16 against an elite Seattle Seahawks defense, especially if he doesn’t have <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/rams-davante-adams-unlikely-tnf-game-injury-update">Davante Adams after the star receiver re-aggravated his hamstring injury</a> on Sunday. However, if he can put up a big performance and get a win on the road, essentially clinching the top seed in the NFC as a result, the award is all but his.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

ClutchPoints’ Week 16 NFL MVP Power Rankings: Josh Allen topples Drake Maye, Patriots

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/nfl-news-patriots-ravens-features-plenty-on-line-both-teams-playoffs');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots vs. Ravens features plenty on line for both teams as playoffs approach');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/New-England-Patriots-head-coach-Mike-Vrabel.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots vs. Ravens features plenty on line for both teams as playoffs approach</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-16T08:50:12-08:00">December 16th, 8:50am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-16T08:50:12-08:00">December 16th, 8:50am</time><address><a href="https://matthew516sports.substack.com/">Douglas Fritz</a>Douglas Fritz has been writing about sports for almost four decades and publishes a Christian sports newsletter and podcast on Substack at Matthew516Sports. He started as a reporter for the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, worked his way up to Editor-In-Chief, and began his sports writing career at the Johnson City Press daily newspaper while still in college. During 30-plus years at the Press, he covered University of Tennessee football, men's and women's basketball, ETSU athletics, and high school athletics. Among the people he has interviewed are Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, and Bruce Smith. He is also a Christian-based screenwriter (five feature-length and one short), book writer (three completed manuscripts and one novel), and songwriter.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Baltimore Ravens</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It appears the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-defense-will-definitely-cost-drake-maye-chance-at-super-bowl">New England Patriots have defensive problems,</a> while the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/why-ravens-defense-will-be-the-difference-in-a-messy-afc-north-race-with-steelers">Baltimore Ravens seem to be getting</a> their house in order on that side of the ball. And the battle features plenty on the line for both teams as the playoffs approach.</p><p>The <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/2000938444923846871" rel="noopener">playoff-clinching scenario</a> is interesting, according to a post on X by Tom Pelissero.</p><p>“Nine teams can clinch playoff spots this week — and the Broncos can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed.”</p><p>For the Patriots, it’s a win or a tie. They also get in if the Colts or Texans lose or tie. As for the Ravens, they’re trying to keep pace with the Steelers at the top of the AFC North.</p><h2><b>Patriots have their work cut out for them</b></h2><p>It’s not good to have defensive issues when going up against Lamar Jackson. That’s especially true since Jackson seems to be getting back to his normal self after battling injuries over the past couple of months.</p><p>It’s a big challenge for the Patriots <a href="https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/bills-loss-reaction-week-15/753657/" rel="noopener">to turn things around</a> quickly, according to nbcsportsboston.com.</p><p>“The defense couldn’t get a stop. They allowed seven yards per play in the second half, and that, to me, is the story,” Phil Perry said. “Couldn’t stop the run, couldn’t pressure Josh Allen. (The Bills) went crazy in the red zone. Every time they got inside the 20, they scored. That continues to be a problem for the New England Patriots’ defense.</p><p>“The offense wasn’t great in the second half either. Didn’t have the ball a whole lot. To me, this falls on the defense in that second half.”</p><h2><b>Ravens still part of the playoff mix</b></h2><p>The dominating win over the Bengals showed that the Ravens are <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6889596/2025/12/14/ravens-defense-win-bengals-afc-north/" rel="noopener">still fighting hard</a>. And their performance started in practice, according to The Athletic.</p><p>“Honestly, it was crazy how we practiced,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “I was actually sore on Saturday because we went so hard on Friday. The message, ‘Hey, we’ve got to practice well.’ I feel like guys really took it to heart. It kind of did get a little contagious. You walk in the locker room, and people are talking about, ‘You had game reps in practice.’ Bodies were in a lot of places this week during practice.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots vs. Ravens features plenty on line for both teams as playoffs approach

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-defense-will-definitely-cost-drake-maye-chance-at-super-bowl');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots defense will definitely cost Drake Maye and company a chance at a Super Bowl');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mike-Vrabel_f2947f.jpg"><figcaption>Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots defense will definitely cost Drake Maye and company a chance at a Super Bowl</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-15T13:41:08-08:00">December 15th, 1:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-15T13:41:08-08:00">December 15th, 1:41pm</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New England Patriots have not faced much adversity during the 2025 season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-drake-maye-thinks-week-15-game-bills-must-win">New England came into Week 15 at 11-2</a> and could have punched their ticket to the playoffs with a win over Buffalo. Instead, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-most-blame-playoff-fate-sealed-bills-week-15-2025">the Bills crushed the Patriots</a> 35-31 after erasing a 21-0 lead by New England in the second quarter.</p><p>Perhaps the Patriots simply got too comfortable after their 10-game winning streak. If that’s the case, a loss is definitely the wake-up call that New England needed.</p><p>Patriots tight end Hunter Henry admitted that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-hunter-henry-reality-check-bills-collapse">Sunday’s loss was a big reality check</a> for the team.</p><p>“This is definitely a reality check. That’s a good football team… but we’ve gotta get a lot better, fast,” Henry said, via Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick.</p><p>But it is hard to blame New England’s offense for their loss against Buffalo. After all, they were not the unit that surrendered 35 points in the final three quarters of the game.</p><p>Below we will explore why New England’s defense could hold them back during the playoffs in 2025.</p><h2><b>Patriots have benefitted from an incredibly easy schedule in 2025</b></h2><p>Obviously the Patriots can only play the teams in front of them on the schedule. But they can still benefit from having a soft list of opponents.</p><p>This is probably the only scenario where <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45916116/what-nfl-strength-schedule-2025-team-rankings" rel="noopener">strength of schedule</a> is actually a useful stat.</p><p>New England came into the 2025 season with one of the easiest schedules in the NFL. Their opponents had a combined record of 124-165 in 2024, a winning percentage of .429.</p><p>In fact, the Bills are by far the best team on the Patriots’ schedule this season, and it isn’t really that close. Give New England credit for getting one win against Buffalo, but Sunday’s outcome has that game looking more like fool’s gold.</p><p>Ultimately the problem with a soft schedule is not being a fraud or deceiving the rest of the league. It is not being battle tested during the regular season.</p><p>NFL football is a whole different animal during the playoffs. New England’s schedule did not offer much practice against elite competition, which by itself should have Patriots fans concerned.</p><h2><b>Is New England’s defense good enough to hang with elite NFL offenses?</b></h2><p>On paper, the Patriots have a solid defense that is better than much of the NFL.</p><p>New England has allowed an <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/view/defense/stat/total/table/passing/sort/netYardsPerGame/dir/asc" rel="noopener">average of 300.1 yards per game</a> this season, which is the seventh best in the league. They are incredibly stingy against the run and have only allowed 19.7 points per game, even when adding in Sunday’s blowout loss.</p><p>But the Patriots are below average in terms of takeaways (14), which makes their defense a little less dangerous.</p><p>The Patriots failed their big test against the Bills, one of the NFL’s best offenses. Not every team can threaten their opponents like Allen and the Bills. However, they are a good measuring stick for going up against elite competition.</p><p>If New England cannot beat Buffalo in a game where they lead 21-0 at home, in a playoff atmosphere, why should I believe it will be any different in the actual playoffs?</p><p>None of this is to say that the Patriots have a <i>bad </i>defense. But it clearly is vulnerable against the best offenses in the league.</p><h2><b>Can Drake Maye, Patriots’ offense make up for failing defense?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Drake-Maye-throwing-on-the-run.jpg"><figcaption>Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Drake Maye was playing incredibly well during the first half of Sunday’s big game.</p><p>Maye rumbled for two rushing touchdowns and had New England’s offense humming along pretty good. They set themselves up in great position to win the game.</p><p>Unfortunately, Maye was not able to will his team to victory by himself.</p><p>In fairness, the Patriots took the ball out of Maye’s hands frequently throughout Week 15. Maye only threw 23 passes, compared to 25 rushing plays. On the face of it that makes sense, as the Patriots wanted to melt the clock and escape with a win. But it is concerning that New England couldn’t make it happen, especially after running for <i>246 rushing yards</i>.</p><p>New England’s lack of talent on offense is another reason for concern ahead of the playoffs. Maye’s top targets were Mack Hollins (8) and Stefon Diggs (4), not exactly elite playmakers in 2025.</p><p>Patriots fans have plenty of reason for optimism about the future. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/bills-news-josh-allen-stole-mvp-drake-maye-comeback-win-patriots">Drake Maye is at the center of it after his MVP-caliber season</a>.</p><p>But the 2025 version of the Patriots may simply be a year too early to seriously compete in the playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots defense will definitely cost Drake Maye and company a chance at a Super Bowl

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-mike-vrabel-calls-for-consistency-from-refs-but-insists-it-isnt-why-new-england-lost');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mike Vrabel calls for consistency from refs, but insists it isn’t why Patriots lost');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mike-Vrabel-on-Dec.-14-2025.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Mike Vrabel calls for consistency from refs, but insists it isn’t why Patriots lost</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-15T09:58:27-08:00">December 15th, 9:58am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-15T09:59:42-08:00">December 15th, 9:59am</time><address><a>Zachary Weinberger</a>Zachary Weinberger joined ClutchPoints in October 2023 as a Miami Heat reporter as well as an Associate Editor. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 after covering the school's athletic programs since his freshman year at the FAU University Press, where he was a Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief. He then covered FAU Sports for The Palm Beach Post.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">New England Patriots</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As it was an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-watch-drake-maye-lead-block-treveyon-henderson-65-yard-td-run-bills">insane game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills,</a> it ultimately resulted in the former’s loss on Sunday afternoon, 35-31. It would be a<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-drake-maye-is-viewing-meltdown-vs-bills-as-an-opportunity"> meltdown by the Patriots against the Bills</a>, as head coach Mike Vrabel speaks about how much of it was the officiating.</p><p>Vrabel would be on “The Greg Hill Show” after the loss to Buffalo, as when he was asked about the officiating in the game, he would admit that they had a “difficult show,” but he struggles with their <a href="https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/2000585945590993173" rel="noopener">“consistency.”</a> He would point out how the Bills lead the league in offensive holds, but did not have any against the Patriots.</p><p>“They do have a difficult job. The consistency — sometimes I struggle with it,” Vrabel said. “I’ll say this: the Bills lead the NFL in offensive holds, and I’ll leave it at that. That would be hard for me to understand — how a team coming into the game leading, and that’s how they play, didn’t have one yesterday. So that’s hard for me to understand.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patriots?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Patriots</a> HC Mike Vrabel on officiating in the game vs. the Bills, via <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGregHillShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheGregHillShow</a>: </p><p>“They do have a difficult job. The consistency — sometimes I struggle with it. I’ll say this: the Bills lead the NFL in offensive holds, and I’ll leave it at that. That would be hard for me… <a href="https://t.co/7IMSIDTJyu">pic.twitter.com/7IMSIDTJyu</a></p><p>— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/2000585945590993173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>While some could look at the comments made by Vrabel as an excuse for the team losing their 24-7 lead over Buffalo, which was erased as the game went on. However, Vrabel would be sure to say that the referees <a href="https://x.com/_AndrewCallahan/status/2000606188476510616" rel="noopener">were not the reason they lost the contest.</a></p><p>“The officiating or the penalties weren’t the reason that we lost the game,” Vrabel said, via Andrew Callahan.</p><p>At any rate, New England is now at an 11-3 record, still first in the AFC East, as the team looks to get back in the win column as they take on the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mike Vrabel calls for consistency from refs, but insists it isn’t why Patriots lost

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-rhamondre-stevenson-calls-scuffle-matt-milano-dumb-decision');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson calls scuffle with Matt Milano a ‘dumb decision’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Rhamondre-Stevenson.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Simmons / The Tenne</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson calls scuffle with Matt Milano a ‘dumb decision’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-15T09:45:19-08:00">December 15th, 9:45am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-15T09:45:19-08:00">December 15th, 9:45am</time><address><a>Yago Antunes</a>Yago Antunes is a Brazilian journalist and writer with experience covering esports, the NFL, NBA, and soccer. He has contributed to online outlets and reported on major international tournaments, building a strong background in sports journalism and digital media while displaying his passion about storytelling and sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">New England Patriots</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Tempers boiled over for New England long before the final whistle in their 35-31 collapse against the Buffalo Bills. Cornerback <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-carlton-davis-stern-message-refs-controversial-bills-game">Carlton Davis was already fuming over a late fourth-quarter pass</a> interference flag that extended a crucial Buffalo drive.</p><p>What he thought was a clean third-down breakup on Keon Coleman instead turned into a drive-saving penalty, and Davis later pointed to how long it took the flag to arrive as what really stung, arguing that in a one-score game, officials should either throw the marker immediately or let the players decide it on the field.</p><p>The emotional edge spilled onto the sideline as well. Early in the third quarter, running back Rhamondre Stevenson made contact with Bills linebacker Matt Milano near the boundary, sparking a brief scuffle and drawing a flag. It ultimately went down as offsetting penalties, but Stevenson made it clear afterward that he didn’t feel good about how it happened.</p><p>Speaking with reporters, Stevenson admitted he “made a dumb decision” by initiating contact with Milano on the sideline and said <a href="https://x.com/MikeReiss/status/2000614780290150867" rel="noopener">he was fortunate the play didn’t hurt</a> New England even more, per Mike Reiss.</p><p>Owning the mistake publicly was a sharp contrast to the frustration elsewhere in the locker room, but it also highlighted how thin the line is between playing with an edge and losing composure. That balance was missing as the game unraveled.</p><p>Even so, not everyone outside the building is smashing the panic button. Lifelong Patriots fan and analyst <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-bill-simmons-surprisingly-measured-take-choke-job-bills">Bill Simmons reacted to the loss with surprising restraint</a>, noting that New England still split a pair of crunch-time games with Buffalo and remains alive for a high playoff seed once injured pieces like Milton Williams and Will Campbell return.</p><p>Between Davis’ anger, Stevenson’s accountability, and Simmons’ big-picture calm, the Patriots’ mood board after this one is complicated. What’s clear is that discipline, not just toughness, will determine how this season finishes.</p><p>Biting your tongue after a bad flag is hard, but Rhamondre Stevenson knows his sideline shove on Matt Milano didn’t help the Patriots.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson calls scuffle with Matt Milano a ‘dumb decision’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-most-blame-playoff-fate-sealed-bills-week-15-2025');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots most to blame for 21-point meltdown vs. Bills');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Patriots-most-to-blame-for-21-point-meltdown-vs.-Bills.jpg"></figure><h1>Patriots most to blame for 21-point meltdown vs. Bills</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-14T19:51:11-08:00">December 14th, 7:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-14T20:22:49-08:00">December 14th, 8:22pm</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Buffalo Bills</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>For most of Sunday night, it felt like New England had finally turned back the clock. Snow was falling, Gillette Stadium was buzzing, and the Buffalo Bills were reeling early. It looked like a vaeritable AFC East coronation. Instead, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-bill-simmons-surprisingly-measured-take-choke-job-bills">it became the moment everything unraveled</a>. The Patriots didn’t just lose a football game in Week 15. They may actually have lost control of their season. A 21–0 lead, a 10-game win streak, and a clear path toward the division crown all slipped away in one brutal, sobering second half. When the dust settled, New England’s playoff fate was no longer fully in its own hands.</p><h2><b>Collapse</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Patriots-Drake-Maye-Hunter-Henry-after-loss-to-Bills.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Patriots suffered <a href="https://www.espn.ph/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401772795" rel="noopener">a stunning 35–31 loss</a> to the Bills in the snow. New England blew a commanding three-touchdown lead built early behind quarterback Drake Maye and a fast, aggressive start. The Patriots controlled the first quarter. Maye scored twice on the ground and the defense swarmed Josh Allen into early mistakes.</p><p>From late in the second quarter onward, though, the game flipped entirely. Allen, the reigning MVP, engineered five consecutive touchdown drives. He carved up a Patriots defense that could not adjust. Buffalo erased the deficit with precision throws, timely third-down conversions, and relentless pressure. Their blistering rally was punctuated by a 37-yard strike to Khalil Shakir and a third-and-goal touchdown to Dawson Knox. The loss snapped New England’s winning streak and denied the franchise its first opportunity to clinch the AFC East at home since 2019. The Patriots left the game stunned and searching for answers.</p><p>Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the New England Patriots most to blame for their Week 15 loss to the Bills.</p><h2><b>QB Drake Maye</b></h2><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-drake-maye-is-viewing-meltdown-vs-bills-as-an-opportunity">Drake Maye didn’t lose this game by himself</a>, but he also didn’t win it when the moment demanded it. The Patriots’ quarterback completed 14 of 23 passes for 155 yards. He threw no touchdown passes, and added one interception. His two rushing touchdowns gave New England its early cushion. His poise in the first quarter suggested another controlled performance was on the way.</p><p>That never materialized, though. Once Buffalo adjusted, the Patriots’ offense stagnated. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-watch-drake-maye-lead-block-treveyon-henderson-65-yard-td-run-bills">Outside of two long TreVeyon Henderson touchdown runs</a>, Maye and the passing game offered little resistance. Drives stalled, and opportunities evaporated. Allen elevated everyone around him in the second half, while Maye couldn’t counterpunch.</p><p>That gap matters. This was a measuring-stick game. Sure, Maye remains the future. However, Sunday showed how much distance still exists between promise and dominance.</p><h2><b>Secondary breakdowns</b></h2><p>The Patriots’ secondary had no answers once Buffalo found rhythm. The mistakes weren’t always explosive, but they were constant and costly.</p><p>Brenden Schooler’s facemask penalty on a kickoff return turned a strong special-teams stop into prime field position for the Bills. It set up one of Buffalo’s easiest touchdown drives of the night. Those are hidden yards that don’t show up in box scores but decide games.</p><p>In coverage, the Patriots struggled to handle Buffalo’s tight-end-heavy attack. Craig Woodson was put in difficult spots all night and was beaten multiple times. Those included a key holding penalty on third down that extended a Bills scoring drive. Buffalo knew where the stress points were. Allen attacked them relentlessly.</p><p>Once confidence slipped, so did communication. The Patriots demonstrated how 21-point leads disappear.</p><h2><b>Special teams</b></h2><p>New England’s special teams unit had one of its worst outings of the season. Against a team like Buffalo, that’s unforgivable. Ray Davis averaged 41 yards on four kickoff returns. He consistently gave the Bills short fields and momentum.</p><p>Poor angles, missed tackles, and penalties stacked the deck against a defense already struggling to slow Allen. When the Patriots needed field position to protect a lead, special teams repeatedly gave it away.</p><p>Championship teams treat special teams as an equal phase. On Sunday, New England treated it like an afterthought. They paid accordingly.</p><h2><b>Receiving corps</b></h2><p>The Patriots’ wide receivers simply did not do enough. This was especially given the circumstances. Buffalo entered the game without top corner Christian Benford. That should have been an opening, but New England did not capitalize.</p><p>The Patriots’ receivers combined for just eight catches. Kayshon Boutte’s diving 30-yard grab early was the longest reception by the unit and his only catch. Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins combined for 67 yards. They entered Week 15 averaging a combined 88 receiving yards per game. That dip just won’t cut it.</p><p>When the Bills sold out to stop the run and dared the Patriots to win through the air, New England couldn’t respond.</p><h2><b>Bigger picture</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/New-England-Patriots-quarterback-Drake-Maye-10-meets-Buffalo-Bills-quarterback-Josh-Allen-17-on-the-field-after-the-game-at-Gillette-Stadium.jpg"><figcaption>Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) meets Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) on the field after the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>This loss doesn’t erase New England’s progress. It does, however, expose the Patriots’ limits, at least for now. They built their season on efficiency, discipline, and momentum. Against Buffalo, all three vanished when the pressure peaked.</p><p>Blown leads don’t happen in isolation. They’re the result of missed throws, lost leverage, and an inability to adjust on the fly. The Patriots didn’t lose just because Josh Allen is great (<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-patriots-mike-vrabel-got-to-see-up-close-why-josh-allen-is-a-60-million-man">he is</a>). They lost because too many things went wrong at once. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to seal a fate no one in Foxborough was ready to accept.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots most to blame for 21-point meltdown vs. Bills

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-bill-simmons-surprisingly-measured-take-choke-job-bills');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots fan Bill Simmons’ surprisingly measured take after choke job vs. Bills');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Patriots-Drake-Maye-Hunter-Henry-after-loss-to-Bills.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots fan Bill Simmons’ surprisingly measured take after choke job vs. Bills</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-14T18:09:10-08:00">December 14th, 6:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-14T18:09:10-08:00">December 14th, 6:09pm</time><address><a>Gerard Angelo Samillano</a>Gerard Angelo Samillano is an Associate Editor for ClutchPoints, with his focus primarily on the NBA, NFL, MLB and NCAA Football. When he's not writing for CP, Gerard can often be seen playing VALORANT or playing pick-up basketball.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">New England Patriots</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>There’s probably no worse feeling than choking a game you were already winning. The New England Patriots were up 21-0 against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. After a close win against them in their first meeting, it seemed like New England would sweep the season series and all but secure its AFC East title.</p><p>Instead, though, Josh Allen happened. The reigning MVP showed exactly why he won that award, putting the Bills on his back to a 35-31 win. Allen completed 19 of his 28 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 48 yards on the ground. In contrast, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-hunter-henry-reality-check-bills-collapse">the Patriots stumbled after the second half</a>, failing to match the firepower of their opponents.</p><p>It’s easy for fans to panic and be concerned about the Patriots’ loss. However, noted Patriots fan and TV analyst Bill Simmons had a <a href="https://x.com/BillSimmons/status/2000312074061455475" rel="noopener">surprisingly cool-headed outlook</a> on New England’s season.</p><p>“The Pats are fine,” Simmons posted on X. “Played two crunch-time games with Buffalo and went 1-1. Can still get the 2-seed. Williams and Campbell coming back in January.”</p><p>Simmons is referring to pass rusher Milton Williams and rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell. Both Patriots players have been integral parts of the team’s success this season,<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-rumors-the-most-likely-will-campbell-injury-scenario"> but they’ve been out due to injuries</a>. Williams was their best pass rusher when he was healthy, while Campbell immediately became the cornerstone of the Patriots’ offensive line.</p><p>It’s worth noting that even with the loss, the Patriots are still leading the division over the Bills. That being said, New England doesn’t have the tie-break advantage now after splitting the season series with Buffalo. Another loss could very well be the difference between hosting a home playoff game or playing on the road, or worse, even missing the playoffs. The good news for the Pats is that their last two games are against the Jets and Browns. However, their Week 16 game against the Ravens could make or break their season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots fan Bill Simmons’ surprisingly measured take after choke job vs. Bills

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-carlton-davis-stern-message-refs-controversial-bills-game');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots’ Carlton Davis sends stern message to refs after controversial PI call during Bills game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Carlton-Davis-message-to-refs-after-controversial-PI-call.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots’ Carlton Davis sends stern message to refs after controversial PI call during Bills game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-14T17:41:52-08:00">December 14th, 5:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-14T17:41:52-08:00">December 14th, 5:41pm</time><address><a>Nukul Jashoria</a>Nukul Jashoria is a seasoned sports journalist and editor with over five years of experience in digital media, television, and public relations. Having worked across leading sports media platforms, he has covered NCAAF, the NFL, NCAAB, Soccer, WNBA and global sports with editorial precision and creative storytelling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">New England Patriots</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New England Patriots appeared to have momentum firmly on their side late Sunday, nursing a three-point lead midway <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-hunter-henry-reality-check-bills-collapse">through the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills</a>. And, with 8:19 remaining, the defense seemingly delivered a crucial stop that could have altered the outcome of the game.</p><p>On third-and-4 from midfield, Bills quarterback Josh Allen targeted wideout Keon Coleman. The pass glanced off Coleman’s shoulder pads and hit the turf, appearing incomplete. Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis <a href="https://x.com/BenBrownPL/status/2000305024233292029" rel="noopener">was in tight coverage</a>, briefly placing a hand on Coleman’s hip while contesting the ball.</p><p>As the Patriots began to celebrate what looked like a drive-ending play, a late flag flew in for defensive pass interference.  Speaking to reporters in the locker room after the loss, Davis made it clear the timing of the call was <a href="https://x.com/zm_cox/status/2000319908329197606" rel="noopener">what bothered him most</a>.</p><p>“You could see how late the flag came out,” said Davis, via Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. “If it’s a flag — like, definitive — throw the flag. If it’s not a flag in a close game like this, then let us play. Just by seeing how late the flag came in, I think we’re all thinking the same thing.”</p><p>The penalty extended Buffalo’s possession and proved costly. Just three plays later, James Cook capped the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run that ultimately became the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/bills-news-buffalo-sets-brutal-franchise-record-during-wild-patriots-game">game-winner in Buffalo’s 35-31 comeback victory</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Carlton Davis was called for a defensive pass interference on this play <a href="https://t.co/Ew8HIvFxmb">pic.twitter.com/Ew8HIvFxmb</a></p><p>— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBrownPL/status/2000305024233292029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The frustration stemmed from the magnitude of the moment. The Patriots had already watched a 21-point first-half lead evaporate as Buffalo stormed back with 21 unanswered points in the second half.</p><p>According to head coach Mike Vrabel, penalties and missed opportunities <a href="https://www.patriots.com/news/new-england-patriots-postgame-quotes-12-14" rel="noopener">were among the key differences</a> between the two halves. And, Davis echoed that sentiment while emphasizing <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/new-england-patriots-media-transcripts-statements-interviews/116390/patriots-express-frustration-over-crucial-pass-interference-calls-in-loss-to-bills" rel="noopener">how razor-thin the margin was</a> in a high-stakes rivalry matchup.</p><p>“It’s frustrating. You know what’s on the line,” Davis said, via Pats Pupil. “This game is so close, and it comes down to a game of inches, and at that moment, you’re either going to throw the flag or you’re not. You don’t take 10 seconds to throw a flag.”</p><p>Buffalo’s rally not only spoiled New England’s chance to clinch the AFC East but also tied a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-patriots-mike-vrabel-got-to-see-up-close-why-josh-allen-is-a-60-million-man">Bills franchise record for the largest road comeback</a>, while keeping their division hopes alive.</p><p>As the playoff picture tightens, New England knows it must eliminate the small mistakes, and controversial moments, that can swing an entire season in a matter of seconds.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Patriots’ Carlton Davis sends stern message to refs after controversial PI call during Bills game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-hunter-henry-reality-check-bills-collapse');   ga('set', 'title', 'Patriots’ Hunter Henry sends ‘reality check’ message after Bills collapse');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Patriots-Hunter-Henry-sends-reality-check-message-after-Bills-collapse.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Patriots’ Hunter Henry sends ‘reality check’ message after Bills collapse</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-14T16:07:32-08:00">December 14th, 4:07pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-14T16:07:32-08:00">December 14th, 4:07pm</time><address><a>Tristin McKinstry</a>Tristin McKinstry is an experienced sports writer who got his start back in 2014. He is a Senior Editor with ClutchPoints and is one of the staff's NHL experts. Tristin has worked professionally with The Inquisitr and GIVEMESPORT in the past, and his work has also been featured on Last Word On Sports, XFL News Hub, and USFL News Hub. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communications at Southern New Hampshire University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">New England Patriots</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Hunter Henry and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/clutchpoints-week-15-nfl-mvp-power-rankings-josh-allen-jordan-love">the New England Patriots had the chance to clinch the AFC East</a> on Sunday afternoon. They played host to the Buffalo Bills, and a win would have brought the division title to Foxborough for the first time since 2019. Unfortunately, Pats fans will need to wait at least another week to celebrate.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-news-drake-maye-running-over-bills-fans-feeling">The Patriots did take a 21-0 lead in the first half</a>, and looked poised to rumble their way to the division crown. However, Buffalo came back, and they emerged victorious in the end. Josh Allen’s three touchdown passes helped the Bills secure a 34-31 win at Gillette Stadium.</p><p>After the game, Henry was asked about this loss. It’s a painful way for New England’s 10-game winning streak to come to an end. And the veteran tight end believes this game serves as <a href="https://x.com/mikekadlick/status/2000316283855024500" rel="noopener">a bit of a wake-up call</a> for the emerging Patriots.</p><p>“This is definitely a reality check. That’s a good football team… but we’ve gotta get a lot better, fast,” Henry said, via Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick.</p><p>New England still has a good chance of winning the division. And their schedule certainly favors them. The Patriots have three games remaining on the schedule. They will take on the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins.</p><p>This loss against the Bills will certainly sting. Especially considering how dominant they looked in the early going. Still, the fight for the AFC East continues on. For now, New England remains in the driver’s seat with only a few games remaining in the 2025 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Anfernee
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Anfernee Jennings

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Anfernee
Jennings