ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Sean McDermott quickly cut to the chase.
After the Buffalo Bills coach gave his opening statement to his news conference acknowledging the difficulty of winning NFL games and never taking them for granted, he quickly moved on to what didn't work for his team in a 24-21 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday.
"I thought we played sloppy in the first half in particular, and then just overall we've got to clean some things up," McDermott said. "Second half was a lot better, and [we] controlled the line of scrimmage offensively and defensively with the takeaways. Can't start a game the way we did, kickoff return and just getting off to an overall bad start. I applaud the guys for finding a way and the coaching staff as well. Made adjustments at halftime, but again, plenty to work on coming out of this game. We'll look at the tape and make sure we continue to adjust."
McDermott was visibly and audibly frustrated following a win that improved the Bills to 12-3 and marked the team's third straight home victory over the Patriots, the longest successful stretch in the rivalry since a six-game winning streak from 1988 to 1993.
The Patriots (3-12) returned the opening kickoff 42 yards, and the Bills gave up back-to-back touchdown drives with the offense punting after six plays in between. The second Patriots touchdown drive was 16 plays and 91 net yards.
"It's concerning when you're in a run defense and we get guys out of our gaps, right," McDermott said. "... We got to do a better job of just doing our jobs and doing and playing good, sound fundamental football and then getting off the field on third down."
The Patriots went 5-of-8 on third downs in the first half, in addition to converting two fourth-down attempts, including one on a direct snap in punt formation on fourth-and-1 from their own 23-yard line. McDermott said after the game that the Bills should have been in their "defense safe" situation preparing for a potential fake, and that it was on special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley.
Third down is not a new issue for this defense, especially without four starters -- linebacker Matt Milano, safeties Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp and cornerback Rasul Douglas -- against the Patriots. In two of the team's past three games (also vs. the Los Angeles Rams), the Bills have allowed two of their highest third-down conversion percentages of the season. New England was 7-of-8 on third-and-long.
"First and second down, we got 'em, and we were stopping them," defensive back Cam Lewis said. "Just got them in third-and-long, we just didn't get off the field. So, we just got to get better at getting off the field on third downs. But other than that, I feel like we played a really solid game, especially once we got comfortable, started taking away the run a little bit, affecting the quarterback and got some turnovers, that's our game."
The offense struggled to get going, especially early, while spending little time on the field (9:40 time of possession in the first half). Missing was the explosion that resulted in eight straight games scoring 30 or more points and quarterback Josh Allen being the favorite to win MVP (-500, according to ESPN BET).
The game improved for the Bills in the second half with three turnovers by the defense, including an impressive interception by Lewis and fumble recovery touchdown by nickel cornerback Taron Johnson.
There was a scare when Allen suffered a right elbow contusion in the fourth quarter. Allen felt numbness in the elbow for five to 10 minutes. He was seen shaking it and working on it on the sideline. Johnson's touchdown allowed enough time for Allen to be cleared to return and he didn't miss a snap.
The Bills ultimately scored 24 straight for their second victory this year after trailing by 14-plus points (Week 1 vs. the Arizona Cardinals), the only team with multiple such wins in 2024. It's also the first time the Bills have done so multiple times in a season since 2011.
"Just as a team as a whole, it's just one of those days that it was a grinder, played a little sloppy," right tackle Spencer Brown said. "But in the end, kind of just pushed it out."
Running the ball in the second half was key as the team had 22 rushing attempts after just six in the first half. A touchdown drive out of halftime ended in a 5-yard pass from Allen to running back James Cook, who behind the offensive line helped the Bills surge and scored the team's other offensive touchdown on a 46-yard rush. Cook's 16 scrimmage touchdowns are second most in a season in team history (O.J. Simpson, 23 in 1975).
Next up is another AFC East opponent in the New York Jets on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) with the No. 1 playoff seed still up for grabs.
"We've got to find a way," Allen said. "Got to come out in the first half ready to play, and I don't think that's something that we did great today. Missed some opportunities. Wish I had a few back. That's every game, but glad our defense and our special teams can step up."