HALF BAD: Everything that went right for most of the season — and for the first half Sunday — went wrong after halftime. The defense got gashed. Maye and the offense couldn’t sustain a drive. Ben Volin has more analysis from the loss.
WAKE-UP CALL: For the first 30 minutes, the Patriots sure looked as though they were on a mission. They knew what was at stake, writes Nicole Yang. Then, coming out of halftime, everything changed.
OVEREXPOSURE: Allen and the rest of the Buffalo offense exposed the Patriots’ defensive shortcomings, revealing that this not-quite-ready for prime-time group still needs some work before the playoffs begin. Read more from Christopher Price.
MR. BRIGHTSIDE: Dan Shaughnessy writes that the good news is that both teams are almost certainly making the playoffs and there’s a chance we’ll see a third matchup before the 60th Super Bowl is played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., in February.
STAYING THE COURSE: Amin Touri has the story from the visitors' locker room on a Bills team that had no plans to give up the AFC East crown just yet.
IT WAS ALL YELLOW: Carlton Davis was upset with a late defensive pass interference call that cost the Patriots in Sunday’s game against the Bills. Christopher Price has more from the Patriots defensive back on the crucial play.
PICTURE THIS: Globe photographers Barry Chin and Danielle Parhizkaran were at Gillette Stadium for Sunday's game. Check out some of their best images from the loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED: As has been the case throughout the season, the Globe provided live updates from Sunday's game. Here's how it unfolded.
AROUND THE LEAGUE: The Chiefs were officially eliminated from playoff contention, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, in a 16-13 loss to the Chargers. ... Bo Nix tied his career high with four touchdown throws and Denver’s defense stifled Jordan Love in the second half of
the Broncos’ 34-26 win Sunday over the Packers, who lost star Micah Parsons to a knee injury that is reportedly a torn ACL.
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