The Patriots started Week 17 with stunning offensive incompetence.

Turnovers on four of their first possessions should have dug an insurmountable hole, but another impressive performance from Bill Belichick’s defense kept the Patriots in the game for the entire contest.

Ultimately, the Patriots fell 27-21, potentially pushing them up the 2024 NFL Draft order thanks to a Cardinals win and improving the Bills’ odds to win the AFC East.

The Patriots got things kicked off with a bang. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor returned the Bills’ opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. This is a good time to remind everyone that for weeks, the Patriots elected to have veteran running back/wide receiver Ty Montgomery return kicks over Reagor.

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Patriots defensive tackle started where he left off last week, when he had three sacks, by pressuring Bills QB Josh Allen on Buffalo’s first offensive snap, leading to a sack by defensive end Deatrich Wise. The Patriots forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t get out of their own way on offense.

Quarterback Bailey Zappe threw an interception on the Patriots’ first offensive snap. His pass to tight end Mike Gesicki was tipped broken up by cornerback Rasul Douglas and intercepted by defensive tackle Ed Oliver at the Patriots’ 21-yard line. It was the second straight game that the Patriots turned the ball over on their first offensive play. It was also the second straight game in which the defense held up anyway.

The Patriots allowed just one 4-yard run with two incompletions before the Bills were successful on a 35-yard field goal attempt, cutting the Patriots’ lead to 7-3.

The Bills’ defense made quick work out of the Patriots’ offense with a three-and-out. The Patriots actually allowed a first down on the Bills’ next drive but again forced the Bills to punt.

Zappe was once again intercepted on the first play of a Patriots offensive series when he was trying to hit wide receiver DeVante Parker on a slant. Douglas jumped the route and intercepted him, giving the Bills the ball at the 10-yard line.

It took just four plays for the Bills to get into the end zone on four straight rushes. Allen scored on a 1-yard QB sneak to grab a 10-7 lead over the Patriots.

This time, it at least took two plays for the Patriots to turn the ball over to the Bills. After running back Ezekiel Elliott ran the ball for no gain, Zappe completed his first pass of the game to tight end Pharaoh Brown, who picked up 5 yards before Bills cornerback Christian Benford forced and recovered a fumble at the Patriots’ 31-yard line.

The Patriots’ defense stood strong again and limited the Bills to another field goal, making the score 13-7. Allen finally completed his first pass of the game, a 1-yarder, after starting the contest 0-of-6.

The Patriots went their fifth straight drive without a first down as Zappe took a sack on third down, leading to another punt from Baringer.

The Patriots’ defense remained stout, forcing another punt despite safety Jalen Mills being flagged for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.

But the Patriots responded with their fourth turnover in just five possessions. This time, Patriots wide receiver Jalen Reagor ran the wrong route, and Douglas once again picked off Zappe off of the miscommunication. This time, Douglas ran it back for a pick-six, making the score 20-7.

The Patriots cut the Bills’ lead to 20-14 as they finally got going on offense. The six-play, 75-yard drive, propelled by a 48-yard run and catch by running back Kevin Harris, ended on a 17-yard scramble for a touchdown by Zappe.

The Patriots’ defense made their first takeaway on the Bills’ ensuing drive. Rookie cornerback Alex Austin, a seventh-round pick by the Bills picked up at midseason, intercepted Allen on a downfield pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid.

Zappe led the Patriots on a six-play, 60-yard drive, but the team couldn’t come away with any points after rookie Chad Ryland missed another field goal, this one from 47 yards away.

The Patriots forced another three-and-out before choosing to kneel on the ball to end the half while trailing 20-14.

A chunk play from Allen to Kincaid on a 51-yard completion put the Bills in the red zone to open the half. Allen plunged forward for a 1-yard carry to put the Bills backup by two scores at 27-14.

A Chad Ryland missed field goal wiped away by a delay of game penalty forced the Patriots to punt again. The Bills responded with their own punt when the Patriots defense stuffed them on third-and-1 from Buffalo’s 37-yard line.

The Patriots wouldn’t let the Bills go away quietly as Zappe led the team on a seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive that ended with a 6-yard touchdown scamper from Elliott.

Another stand by the Patriots’ defense forced a tremendous punt from the Bills’ Sam Martin, giving its offense the ball back at the team’s own 3-yard line. A three-and-out and punt gave the Bills the ball back at the Patriots’ 49-yard line with 5:02 remaining the game.

The Bills slowly bled the clock to win.

BEST

CB Alex Austin: The rookie cornerback was a nice midseason pickup. He picked off Allen against his former team.

RB Kevin Harris: The Patriots’ biggest play of the game came on Harris’ 48-yard catch and run off of a screen.

WR Jalen Reagor: Yes, Reagor seemingly ran the wrong route, leading to miscommunication and an interception for Zappe. He also returned a kick for a touchdown and caught a 36-yard deep shot from Zappe.

WORST

QB Bailey Zappe: At least one of Zappe’s three interceptions seemingly wasn’t his fault, but he had three interceptions. That’s enough to go in this category despite his ability to keep the Patriots in the game.

TE Pharaoh Brown: A costly fumble gave the ball back to the Bills in the first quarter.

K Chad Ryland: One missed field goal counted. Another didn’t after the Patriots committed a delay of game on the same play.