New England Patriots' Rushing Attack Falls Short Against Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium

The New England Patriots faced a tough challenge against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium, resulting in a narrow 35-31 defeat. This outcome brought the Patriots' record to 11-3, while the Bills improved to 10-4. Despite a strong performance from their rushing unit, the Pats couldn't secure victory.

First Quarter

The game kicked off with both teams displaying solid defensive efforts. The Patriots managed to keep the Bills in check early on, with linebacker Jack Gibbens leading with 9 combined tackles and contributing one of two sacks for New England. However, it was clear that both teams were feeling each other out as they traded possessions without significant scoring.

Second Quarter

As the second quarter unfolded, New England's rushing game began to shine. Running back TreVeyon Henderson broke free for an impressive 65-yard touchdown run, showcasing his speed and agility. He finished with 148 yards on 14 attempts and scored twice on the ground. Quarterback Drake Maye also contributed significantly with two rushing touchdowns of his own.

Third Quarter

In this period, Buffalo's offense found its rhythm as they capitalized on key opportunities to score multiple touchdowns through their passing game and efficient drives downfield. The Pats' defense struggled to contain these advances despite Christian Gonzalez's efforts in coverage which included five combined tackles.

Fourth Quarter

Entering the final quarter trailing by just four points (31-27), New England aimed for a comeback but fell short due to crucial turnovers and penalties that hindered their progress late in-game situations—Carlton Davis III notably had one penalty resulting in first downs for Buffalo during critical moments when momentum could have shifted towards them instead.

Despite valiant efforts from players like Rhamondre Stevenson who contributed significantly across various plays throughout this matchup; ultimately it wasn't enough against formidable opponents such as those representing "Bills Mafia."

Looking ahead: Fans can catch next week's action when our beloved team travels away facing Baltimore Ravens scheduled December twenty-first at M&T Bank Stadium starting eight-twenty PM EST live broadcasted via NBC/Peacock network channels nationwide! Don't miss out sharing insights about "New England Patriots post-match stats" among fellow supporters today!