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Six takeaways as Patriots fumble No. 1 pick with win over Bills
The Patriots squandered an opportunity to pick first in the 2025 NFL Draft due to a win over Buffalo.
The 2024 Patriots season has finally come to an end.
And in frustrating fashion, New England picked the worst possible time to right the ship — beating the Bills, 23-16, and ruining the team’s chance of picking first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Here are six takeaways from Sunday’s win for New England.
Update: The Patriots fired Jerod Mayo less than an hour after the team’s 2024 season ended. Read more here.
No No. 1 pick
With the writing on the wall that Drake Maye’s snaps were going to be limited on Sunday, there was little of note worth watching on Sunday for New England — at least as it pertained to this miserable 2024 season.
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Rather, most Patriots fans were likely keeping tabs on Sunday’s result due to the draft ramifications for New England — with a loss to a Bills team emptying its bench securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But in a season where New England regularly missed the mark when it came to delivering timely performances, it was almost fitting that the Patriots finally pulled out a win … at the worst possible time.
Thanks to a surprising performance from Joe Milton III under center, New England took down the Bills on Sunday, pushing the Patriots out of the No. 1 spot in the upcoming draft order.
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As a result of the Patriots winning and all three of the Browns, Giants, and Titans losing in Week 18, New England is now expected to pick No. 4 overall in the 2025 Draft — per Tankathon.
With Milton exceeding expectations and keeping New England ahead for a steady portion of the game, the Bills seemingly did what they could to maximize the Patriots’ odds of fumbling the No. 1 pick.
The Bills punted on their first drive of the second half rather than attempt a 52-yard field goal, while later slotting in third-string QB Mike White for the fourth quarter with New England up, 17-16.
Securing that No. 1 pick would have given New England plenty of options this offseason, be it standing pat and taking a blue-chip talent like Travis Hunter — or trading down and receiving a haul of draft picks to fuel their rebuild.
New England will still get a talented prospect with their first-round pick, but this stands as just another setback in the Patriots’ arduous rebuilding process.
Speaking shortly before his firing, Mayo stressed that he had no regrets over leading New England to a win on Sunday.
“Look, anytime we step foot (on the field), and I’ve said this over the past couple of weeks, as a player, as a coach, we always want to go out there and win,” Mayo told reporters.
Maye barely plays
Drake Maye’s rookie season came to an early end on Sunday.
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Despite getting the starting nod in New England’s regular-season finale, Maye didn’t last very long on the gridiron — logging just one series before getting the hook for Milton.
Maye appeared in 13 games (12 starts) over his rookie season — completing 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also carried the ball 54 times for 421 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Taking their top playmaker out of the game in Maye is a call that seemingly would boost New England’s odds of securing that No. 1 pick (at least such was the thinking at the time).
But beyond the draft implications, giving Milton an extended look allowed him to make a compelling case for a full-time backup role behind Maye in 2025 and beyond — rather than handing out a contract to a pricier veteran backup.
Taking Maye out so early also ensured the rookie entered this offseason with a clean bill of health — especially after New England’s opening drive ended with Maye getting sacked by Von Miller (off of brutal pass protection from Demontrey Jacobs).
During the same drive where Milton entered the game, New England also pulled Rhamondre Stevenson and their best offensive lineman in Mike Onwenu — signalling the start of what ultimately felt like a preseason contest.
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Josh Allen started Sunday’s game for the Bills, but only played one snap before giving the ball to backup QB Mitch Trubisky.
Milton thrived in regular season debut
Even if New England wanted to give Milton his first taste of regular-season action on Sunday, the Patriots likely weren’t expecting for a dominant showing — especially with the No. 1 pick hanging in the balance.
But Milton seemingly didn’t get the memo of tanking on Sunday.
After primarily serving as an inactive participant and the third QB on the depth chart all season long, Milton thrived in his first reps on Sunday — finishing the game by completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 15 yards and a touchdown.
In the first half alone, Milton completed 12 of his 13 passes for 139 yards and two total touchdowns — giving New England a 14-10 lead at the break.
His opening drive saw the 2024 sixth-round pick complete all six of his passes before capping a 13-play drive with a rushing touchdown — ending with Milton performing a backflip in the end zone.
Milton’s arm was also put on display in the second quarter, hitting Kayshon Boutte for a 48-yard touchdown to give New England a 14-7 lead at the time. It marked the second-longest passing play of the season for the Patriots.
While Milton’s accuracy and decision-making were tabbed as some of the weaknesses in his game during preseason action, the rookie regularly made the right reads and low-risk throws needed to move the chains — allowing Joey Slye (3-for-3 on field goals) to pad the lead.
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It was an encouraging debut for Milton … albeit one that cost New England the top pick in the NFL Draft.
Tavai benched
Patriots veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai landed in some hot water earlier this week with his candid comments about fans booing the team during a blowout loss to the Chargers last week.
“I don’t know,” Tavai said Friday on WEEI when asked if he understood why fans might be booing the team. “There’s a reason why they’re fans. Everybody can say what they think that we should be doing. In the long end, they’re not qualified to do what Mayo is doing, or whatever the Pats are doing.
“The fans, I appreciate them at times, but sometimes they just have to know their place and just understand that it’s a work in progress. Rome wasn’t built in one day.”
Tavai’s comments prompted Mayo to note Friday that the team would address the situation with the linebacker, with New England ultimately opting to sit Tavai for the entire first quarter of Sunday’s matchup.
A bizarre scene
Sunday’s atmosphere was just about what one would expect from a three-win team looking to secure a top pick via a loss.
It was a bleak scene in Foxborough, with Gillette Stadium nowhere close to full at kick-off, while numerous signs from fans took note of Mayo’s uncertain job security and Tavai’s controversial comments amid a brutal season.
And while the boos and other vitriol doled out last week in a 40-7 loss to the Chargers weren’t put on display for most of Sunday’s game, the draft-related incentive to lose to the Bills also led to an odd dynamic in the stands.
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Despite the poise that Milton showcased in his first regular-season snaps in the NFL, the loudest cheers for Patriots came in the third quarter when a fumble between the QB and Antonio Gibson led to Buffalo taking over on the 16-yard line.
More cheers ensued minutes later when James Cook scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give Buffalo a 16-14 lead.
As the Patriots knelt down to secure the win, the players celebrated on the field — as the boos rained down from a fanbase watching the No. 1 pick slip through their grasp.
A few standouts
It’s difficult to make any sweeping declarations about New England’s underperforming defense in a contest like this.
Not only did Allen and a majority of Buffalo’s top playmakers earn limited snaps in this one, but Jerod Mayo and the Patriots also pulled several of the team’s starters early in the second quarter.
Still, several unsung players on New England’s defense strung together some solid performances to close out the year.
Christian Elliss finished the game with 13 tackles, while Anfernee Jennings added six tackles, including a tackle for a loss.
Beyond Milton’s play, Kayshon Boutte ended his year on a high note — reeling in seven catches for 117 yards. It’s the first 100-plus yard game from a Patriots wide receiver since Kendrick Bourne in Week 16 of the 2022 season.
Rookie Javon Baker also recorded his first career NFL catch in the third quarter to move the chains off a 12-yard competition.
LIVE UPDATES
4:02: Patriots beat the Bills, 23-16. Fans are booing as the players celebrate on the field.
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3:56: Slye’s field goal is good. New England really is gonna win this one, it seems. An awful development for a team looking at a looooong rebuild.
3:47: Buffalo punts once again.
3:40: Patriots make the stop on 4th and 5, and take over with 5:16 left.
Not ideal.
3:35: Boutte is questionable to return with a head injury.
3:31: Slye converts on another field goal. Patriots lead, 20-16. Bills need a touchdown.
3:27: Kayshon Boutte now has over 100 receiving yards.
3:15: End Third: Patriots hold a 17-16 lead over the Bills.
3:13: Mike White now in at QB for the Bills.
3:10: Sure enough, Joey Slye’s field goal from 41-yards out gives New England a 17-16 lead. 1:00 left in the third quarter.
3:05: Milton really might push New England out of that No. 1 pick spot.
2:59: Rookie Javon Baker has his first career catch for 12 yards — moving the chains once again for Milton and the Patriots.
2:51: James Cook runs it into the end zone, leading to more cheers from Patriots fans. Bills miss the XP, but lead, 16-14.
2:47: That’s the miscue tanking fans were looking for. A fumble between Milton and Gibson leads to a turnover and the Bills taking over on New England’s 16. Cheers at Gillette Stadium.
2:45: Instead of going for a 52-yard field goal, Bills punt it away. Looks like they don’t want New England getting the No. 1 pick, either.
2:39: Looks like no Godchaux or Dugger on this drive. A ton of backups on defense for New England.
2:37: Marte Mapu downgraded to out with a neck injury.
2:21: HALFTIME: Patriots lead the Bills, 14-10. In a game where a loss gives New England the No. 1 pick, Joe Milton is dealing for New England (12-of-13, 139 yards, 2 touchdowns).
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2:11: Mostly backups on the field at this point for New England, but the defense still has Jonathan Jones, Kyle Dugger, Keion White, and Anfernee Jennings out there.
1:56: Tyler Bass hits a 49-yard field goal. It’s a 14-10 game as Milton and the Patriots return to the field.
1:45: Good lord – Joe Milton hits Kayshon Boutte for a 48-yard touchdown. What a throw.
It’s 14-7 Patriots.
Milton is now 10-of-10.
1:44: Joe Milton is 9-of-9 to open this game.
1:37: 7-7 game. Bills go for it on 4th-and-2 and Trubisky hits Ray Davis for a touchdown.
1:36: Nice start for Anfernee Jennings – two tackles for loss on this drive.
1:33: It looks like Jahlani Tavai was benched for the whole first quarter. He’s now on the field in the second.
1:31: End First: Patriots lead the Bills, 7-0.
1:21: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Milton runs in for a touchdown and he does a backflip in the end zone.
7-0 Patriots.
1:14: Milton’s first throw is a 12-yard completion to Pop Douglas.
1:13: A lot of starters exiting the game.
1:10: Joe Milton is into the game. Drake Maye’s day might be done.
1:08: Josh Allen’s day seems to be done after just one snap.
1:07: Jacobs beat clean – Von Miller sacks Maye to force a 3 and out.
1:06: False start. We’ve got boos.
1:04: Drake Maye starts.
1:02: Bills win the coin toss. They defer to the second half.
1:00: Doesn’t seem like Tavai’s comments went over well.
12:45: Not … exactly a packed house today.
12:35: Same offensive line as last week for New England.
12:33: One thing worth watching is if Joe Milton III gets into the game. He’s active for the first time all year. Jerod Mayo signaled that Milton will get some reps today.
12:32: A look at the Patriots inactives today. Henry’s season is over, while Gonzalez was expected to be ruled out after suffering a concussion last week.
12:30: Warmups are underway.
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