Patriots vs. Bills: 5 Adjustments Buffalo Must Make

Almost before Chan Gailey's game plan had a chance to get its bearings, the Buffalo Bills already faced a 14-point deficit.  It's hard to play uphill against anybody, but especially when the terrain being navigated is the NFL's equivalent of Mt. Everest.   

Here are five things the Bills can do to scale the mountain: 

1.  Move the Ball Around

Ryan Fitzpatrick has been quite the feel-good story thus far, but today we may be witnessing the crumbling confidence of a man who exceeded expectations too early in the season.  He's been around the block a couple of times, but in many ways, the Patriots represented Fitz's first real opportunity to prove himself as a legitimate NFL starter.  

Having a poor throw intercepted on his second pass attempt of the game could not have been good for his psyche.  New England boasts a disciplined defense, but starting with that errant throw, Fitzpatrick's play betrayed a sort of antsy single-mindedness.  

Memo to Fitzpatrick: Breathe.  Don't force the ball to Stevie every time.  You've proven you can make a throws. Now that you face a large deficit, calm down and spread the football in a less predictable manner. You might just creep back into the game.  

2.  Win the Time Possession Battle

Tom Brady looked relaxed and poised in the pocket throughout the first quarter, controlling the clock as well as the football with accurate short passes.  As the half wore on, however, and the Bills started to show some signs of life, they displayed a much more balanced attack, penetrating deeper into Patriots' territory with each new possession.

These signs of life should lead to a more confident group coming out of the locker room, and an early second-half score will work wonders towards getting the Bills back into the game and bringing them closer to evening the ball control war.  Baby steps.

3.  Avoid Stupid Penalties

At least twice in the first half, the Bills killed themselves with penalties when precious points were at stake.  A chop block put Buffalo into an awkward 4th-and-14 in Pats' territory, and a holding penalty later negated a Fred Jackson first down run.  Neither penalty had any obvious effect on the play in question.  

Avoid penalties and don't kill momentum—it's as simple as that.

4.  Keep Tom Brady Honest 

Cool and collected Tom Brady was able to carve through the Bills defense in predictable patterns, hitting Welker and Gronkowski pretty much at will.  One thing that was notably lacking was the Buffalo pass rush.  

By finding a way to get more pressure on Brady, the Bills will upset his timing and force him to move away from his go-to targets.  

5.  Maintain the 12th Man's Interest

A late first-half interception kept Buffalo well within striking distance.  The butts in the seats will likely stay involved as long as the Bills keep the game close heading into the fourth quarter.  If the crowd is still in the game late, that may be the extra edge the Bills need to pull off the upset.