Buffalo Bills studs and duds after losing shot at AFC East

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills forces a fumble against Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

Stud: Bills safeties

Buffalo started out with a 3-0 lead thanks to a big play from their two safeties. On New England’s opening drive, Tom Brady connected with Rex Burkhead on a short pass and the running back ran it 18 yards before Jordan Poyer punched the ball out.

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Fellow safety Micah Hyde picked up the fumble and ran it 31-yards which set the Bills up at the Patriots 31. The offense was only able to gain 14 yards but since they were set up so well by the safeties, they were able to send Stephen Hauschka out for a 35-yard chip shot to start out with the lead.

Each safety continued to make plays the rest of the game as Poyer was second on the team with 11 tackles and Hyde added seven more.

Dud: Shaq Lawso

On the Patriots second drive, Shaq Lawson read a screen pass to N’Keal Harry on a third-and-2 but instead of sticking with the receiver, he decided to go after Tom Brady. This played right into Brady’s hands as it gave him enough space between Lawson and Harry to complete the pass and extend a drive that ended with a touchdown.

In all, Lawson had two tackles — one of which went for a loss. But he wasn’t able to make the plays when he needed to and this one was an example of that.

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