Analysis: Bills defense adjusts, improves vs. Pats' heavy personnel By Mark Gaughan News Sports Reporter Dec 28, 2021 Dec 28, 2021 Updated Mar 4, 2022 0 Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) tackles New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (25) in the second quarter. James P. McCoy / Buffalo News Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save By Mark Gaughan News Sports Reporter The Buffalo Bills’ defense handled the New England Patriots’ use of “heavy personnel” better in the rematch Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.kAm%96 !2EC:@ED CFD965 7@C `eb J2C5D @? ae 42CC:6D :? E96 82>6 :? ~C492C5 !2C< H96? E96J 3C@F89E 3:8 E24<=6 |:4926= ~?H6?F @? E96 7:6=5 2D E96 D:IE9 @776?D:G6 =:?6>2?] %92E H2D 2 e]b\J2C5 2G6C286[ 2?5 :E :?4=F565 E96 ec\J2C5 CF? 7@C 2 E@F495@H? 3J s2>:6? w2CC:D]k^AmkAm%96 !2EC:@ED 3C@F89E ~?H6?F @?E@ E96 7:6=5 2D 2 D:IE9 @776?D:G6 =:?6>2? @? E96 7:6=5 7@C `e CF??:?8 A=2JD $F?52J 2?5 >2?2865 ec J2C5D[ 2 c\J2C5 2G6C286[ 244@C5:?8 E@ qF772=@ }6HD 492CE:?8]k^Am kAm%96 q:==D 5:5?’E 6I24E=J D=2> E96 5@@C @? E96 !2EC:@ED’ CF??:?8 82>6] xEVD ?@E 8@:?8 E@ >2<6 q:==D 72?D 6286C 7@C 2 C6>2E49 H:E9 A@H6C9@FD6 CFD9:?8 x?5:2?2A@=:D :? E96 A=2J@77D] qFE :E H2D 36EE6C] k^Am People are also reading… Extradition hearing delayed in NC Sun Drop murders cold case Friday Five:Honoring Charlie Barbee, Creamery reopens and let the celebrations begin Commissioners Notebook: Mt. Pleasant creek to be named for Archie Fisher Cabarrus' Larry Pittman calls Juneteenth 'a lie' and uses racial slur to man at commissioners meeting Kannapolis native completes OB-GYN residency, accepts Chicago physician position Kannapolis to celebrate Juneteenth with day of music, food, vendors and free movie Friday Five: A fairy walk, new restaurants, a festival and more Cabarrus commissioners select John Eller as next county manager Kannapolis and Concord reach agreement to keep Rider bus routes Kannapolis History Associates to present patriotic and spiritual concert Cabarrus Health Sciences Institute tops high school achievement in county Cabarrus commissioners adopt $560.9 million budget, keep property tax rate unchanged Concord men charged with stealing $591K worth of electricity Splash of Color Quilt Show set for Friday and Saturday in Concord Analysis: Trump's UFC birthday bash was a bloody, on-brand affair kAmw2CC:D 82:?65 `_b J2C5D @? `g 42CC:6D[ 2 d]f\J2C5 2G6C286] qFE }6H t?8=2?5 H2D ?@E 23=6 E@ 4@?EC@= E96 4=@4< H:E9 E96 8C@F?5 82>6[ 2?5 :E H2D F?23=6 E@ 2G@:5 E@F89 E9:C5\5@H? D:EF2E:@?D]k^AmkAm“w6VD 2 8C62E A=2J6C[” !2EC:@ED 46?E6C s2G:5 p?5C6HD D2:5 @7 w2CC:D] “(6 92G6 E@ 5@ 2 36EE6C ;@3 @7 3=@4<:?8 7@C 9:>] (96? J@F 86E 5@H?[ @3G:@FD=J[ :E 492?86D E96 H2J J@F 5@ E9:?8D] *@F 42?VE A=2J E96 82>6 7C@> 369:?5 =:<6 H6 92G6[ AFE @FCD6=G6D 5@H? =:<6 E92E[ :EVD ;FDE E@@ 92C5 E@ A=2J 42E49 FA] s2>6 :D 2 8C62E A=2J6C 2?5 H6 ;FDE 92G6 E@ 5@ 2 36EE6C ;@3 7@C 9:>]”k^Am kAm%96 !2EC:@ED H6C6 ;FDE ` @7 `_ @? E9:C5\5@H? 4@?G6CD:@?D]k^AmkAm%96 6D42=2E:?8 A=2J @7 5676?D:G6 E24<=6 w2CC:D@? !9:==:AD H2D @?6 A=FD 7@C E96 q:==D] w6 4@?E:?F65 9:D DFC86 @7 8@@5 A6C7@C>2?46D E96 A2DE 7:G6 82>6D] %96 q:==D 2=D@ 36?67:EE65 7C@> 92G:?8 =:?6324<6C p]y] z=6:? @? E96 7:6=5 7@C 25565 DE@FE?6DD] w6 >:DD65 E96 7:CDE >66E:?8 H9:=6 @? E96 r@G:5\`h C6D6CG6 =:DE]k^Am kAmp?5 E96 q:==D >256 2 4@FA=6 @7 DEC2E68:4 D9:7ED[ FD:?8 3:886C 4@C?6C324< $:C2? }62= @? E96 7:6=5 :? A=246 @7 s2?6 y24<D@? H96? E96 !2ED H6?E E@ 3:886C A6CD@??6= :? 2? 2EE6>AE E@ 86E 36EE6C E24<=:?8 @? E96 @FED:56 @7 E96 5676?D6] }62= A=2J65 `b @7 E96 `f D?2AD @G6C2== H96? E96 !2ED FD65 D:I @776?D:G6 =:?6>6?] }62= :D =:DE65 2E e\7@@E\a 2?5 a_e A@F?5D E@ y24<D@?VD e\` 2?5 `g_]k^Am Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts kAm%96 q:==D 2=D@ FD65 t76 ~3252 2D 2 5676?D:G6 6?5[ H96C6 96 D2H 2=>@DE 2== @7 9:D bg D?2AD] w6 H2D :?24E:G6 :? E96 7:CDE >66E:?8 H:E9 }6H t?8=2?5] ~3252 925 366? A=2J:?8 23@FE 2 E9:C5 @7 9:D D?2AD 2E 5676?D:G6 E24<=6 E9:D D62D@? 367@C6 $F?52J]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^3F772=@?6HD]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^d744ggd6\efca\``64\2da6\53bahfhb3f_`Qmt76 ~3252 EC2:=D @?=J t5 ~=:G6C :? 5676?D:G6\=:?6 D?2AD 7@C q:==D :? H:? @G6C !2EC:@EDk^2mk^Am kAm~? 7:CDE 2?5 D64@?5 5@H?[ ?@E 4@F?E:?8 D9@CE\J2C5286 A=2JD[ E96 !2ED 2G6C2865 `h J2C5D @? 6:89E 42CC:6D @FE @7 962GJ A6CD@??6=] %92E :?4=F565 2 CF?\DEF77 3J !9:==:AD @? E96 7:CDE A=2J @7 E96 82>6[ H96? 96 362E p?5C6HD 2E E96 A@:?E @7 2EE24<] !9:==:AD 2=D@ >256 2 ?:46 DEF77 @7 w2CC:D 3J <66A:?8 9:D 766E 2?5 >@G:?8 5@H? E96 =:?6 @7 D4C:>>286 @? 2 4C24<\E@DD CF? :? E96 7@FCE9 BF2CE6C]k^Am kAmxE 5:5?’E 2== 8@ D>@@E9=J 7@C ~3252] ~? w2CC:D’ `e\J2C5 E@F495@H? CF? :? E96 7:CDE BF2CE6C[ ~3252 8@E 42F89E CFD9:?8 FA7:6=5 2?5 5:5?’E D6E E96 6586] xE H2D 2 8@@5 56D:8? 3J E96 !2EC:@ED] {:?6324<6C |2EE |:=2?@ H2D 7@@=65 3J 2 AF==:?8 8F2C5 8@:?8 :? E96 @E96C 5:C64E:@?[ =62G:?8 w2CC:D 7C66 E@ CF? 2C@F?5 =67E 6?5]k^AmkAmu2<6 AF==:?8 24E:@? 3J 2 8F2C5 2=D@ 96=A65 AC@5F46 E96 =@?86DE CF? 3J w2CC:D[ 2 b`\J2C56C] !9:==:AD H2D 3=@4<65 FA 2E E96 A@:?E @7 2EE24< @? E92E @?6[ 2?5 y24<D@? 8@E 42F89E AFCDF:?8 E@H2C5 E96 72<6 2?5 5:5?’E DE2J 9@>6 @? E96 324< D:56]k^Am kAmy@?6D’ A@@C A6C7@C>2?46 @? E9:C5 5@H? AC6G6?E65 E96 !2EC:@ED 7C@> <66A:?8 5C:G6D 8@:?8 2?5 FD:?8 E96 CF? 82>6 >@C6]k^AmkAmw6 H2D c 7@C g A2DD:?8 @? E9:C5 5@H? 7@C @?=J ae J2C5D[ 2?5 96 E@@< 2 e\J2C5 D24< @? 2 E9:C5 5@H?]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^3F772=@?6HD]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^527`hf4c\ee45\``64\ge7h\4b_c_e6f4`34QmuF== 4@G6C286i q:==D C6E2<6 =625 :? pur t2DE H:E9 bb\a` H:? @G6C !2EC:@EDk^2mk^AmkAm“x E9:?< H6 ;FDE 92G6 E@ 8@ @FE E96C6 2?5 6I64FE6[” y@?6D D2:5] “#62==J[ 7:CDE 5@H?[ 7:CDE A=2J[ ;FDE 86EE:?8 2 A@D:E:G6 A=2J[ 86EE:?8 E96 5C:G6 8@:?8] $64@?5\2?5\`_[ E9:C5\2?5\`_[ E92EVD 2 92C5 H2J E@ A=2J E96 82>6[ 2?5 H6 A=2J65 E92E 82>6 2 =:EE=6 E@@ >F49 E@52J] w2C5 E@[ 282:?DE 2 8@@5 5676?D6 2?5 8@@5 7@@E32== E62>[ A=2J E96 82>6 :? =@?8 J2C5286 =:<6 E92E]Qk^Am kAm%96 q:==D FD65 E96:C 32D6 5676?D6[ H:E9 z=6:? @? E96 7:6=5 2D E96 E9:C5 =:?6324<6C[ 7@C `h @7 }6H t?8=2?5’D e_ A=2JD] x? E96 7:CDE >66E:?8[ H96? E96 !2ED E9C6H @?=J E9C66 A2DD6D[ E96 32D6 5676?D6 H2D FD65 ah @7 ch A=2JD] xE :?4=F565 %JC6= s@5D@?[ A=2J:?8 7@C z=6:?] %96 q:==D <6AE ?:4<6= 4@C?6C324< %2C@? y@9?D@? @? E96 7:6=5 7@C E9C66 A=2JD 282:?DE 962GJ A6CD@??6= :? E96 7:CDE >66E:?8]k^Am 0 Comments Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story 'He's very resilient': Bills LT Dion Dawkins comes back from second bout with Covid-19 “I finally get my feet back under me, and then I get Covid again,” Dawkins said. “…. I'm just thankful that I made it out. I don’t want people… Where the Bills stand in the AFC playoff picture after Week 16 Here is a look at the AFC playoff picture after the Miami Dolphins' victory against the New Orleans Saints on "Monday Night Football." Mark Gaughan: Stefon Diggs compares self to superhero, but he's no diva You might expect some highly paid superstar receivers to show a little softness, avoid contact. Not Diggs. He doesn’t play like a diva receive… Efe Obada trails only Ed Oliver in defensive-line snaps for Bills in win over Patriots Here are some takeaways from the Bills’ snap counts in their Week 16 win. Observations: Sean McDermott would welcome head-coaching opportunities for his coordinators Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier were candidates last offseason for head-coaching job… Behind the scenes of Matt Haack's puntless day for the Bills By the time Sunday’s 33-21 victory over the New England Patriots concluded, Haack's absence on the stat sheet was notable: The Buffalo Bills d… Upon Further Review: Bills' much-maligned O-line takes big step forward in win over Patriots Faced with a huge dose of adversity because of players being on the Covid list and an injury that occurred during the game, the Bills were for… Jason Wolf: Bills take control of AFC East with season-defining victory at New England Josh Allen passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns, led the team with 64 rushing yards and wasn’t sacked, despite playing without two of his… Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Fans react to US beating Australia, advancing in World Cup to knockout stage World Cup watch parties, US Open & Father’s Day make for hectic weekend on LI roads World Cup watch parties, US Open & Father’s Day make for hectic weekend on LI roads Jonathan Toews retires from the NHL after 16 seasons Jonathan Toews retires from the NHL after 16 seasons Jesse Marsch speaks out after Canada midfielder Ismael Kone suffers a serious injury Jesse Marsch speaks out after Canada midfielder Ismael Kone suffers a serious injury
'He's very resilient': Bills LT Dion Dawkins comes back from second bout with Covid-19 “I finally get my feet back under me, and then I get Covid again,” Dawkins said. “…. I'm just thankful that I made it out. I don’t want people…
Where the Bills stand in the AFC playoff picture after Week 16 Here is a look at the AFC playoff picture after the Miami Dolphins' victory against the New Orleans Saints on "Monday Night Football."
Mark Gaughan: Stefon Diggs compares self to superhero, but he's no diva You might expect some highly paid superstar receivers to show a little softness, avoid contact. Not Diggs. He doesn’t play like a diva receive…
Efe Obada trails only Ed Oliver in defensive-line snaps for Bills in win over Patriots Here are some takeaways from the Bills’ snap counts in their Week 16 win.
Observations: Sean McDermott would welcome head-coaching opportunities for his coordinators Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier were candidates last offseason for head-coaching job…
Behind the scenes of Matt Haack's puntless day for the Bills By the time Sunday’s 33-21 victory over the New England Patriots concluded, Haack's absence on the stat sheet was notable: The Buffalo Bills d…
Upon Further Review: Bills' much-maligned O-line takes big step forward in win over Patriots Faced with a huge dose of adversity because of players being on the Covid list and an injury that occurred during the game, the Bills were for…
Jason Wolf: Bills take control of AFC East with season-defining victory at New England Josh Allen passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns, led the team with 64 rushing yards and wasn’t sacked, despite playing without two of his…
