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Buffalo Bills: Top 3 takeaways from Week 16 win over New England

By Matthew Hodowany

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 28: Stefon Diggs #14 reacts with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills after Diggs' third touchdown of the game during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 28: Stefon Diggs #14 reacts with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills after Diggs' third touchdown of the game during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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Dec 28, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Justin Zimmer (61) and outside linebacker A.J. Klein (54) tackle New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive blip

For the first half of the season, fans were screaming at the team to fix their run defense. While they did and had for many weeks on end, the New England Patriots were able to run the ball with ease.

Rushing for 145 yards on the day, Sony Michel and J.J. Taylor ran through the defensive line with relative ease. To Buffalo’s credit, the only score they let up to the Patriots was a Cam Newton rushing touchdown.

As the Buffalo Bills close the regular season next week against Miami, playoff football will commence. The difference between regular-season football and playoff football is that teams tend to lean more towards the run.

Be it that the playoffs are single-game-elimination contest, running the ball and controlling the clock is a tried and true recipe to victory.

What the New England Patriots showed Monday was that while the Buffalo Bills have improved on run defense, it looks like it is still the team’s only Achilles heel. Though the addition of Matt Milano added some much-needed physicality, stopping a multiple rush attack appears to be their kryptonite.

Next. 4 candidates who could replace Brian Daboll this offseason. dark

The Buffalo Bills have been getting production out of their two defensive tackles but the entire line will have to hunker down come the playoffs.

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