Patriots vs Bills: How Buffalo's Gameplan Led to Remarkable Comeback Win

The Buffalo Bills needed to legitimize themselves to the rest of the NFL, and in the second half against the New England Patriots they made a huge statement. 

I'm breaking down the Bills' offensive and defensive game plans and how they were executed wonderfully in Buffalo's stunning come-from-behind win.

On Defense

Buffalo wasn't going to stop Tom Brady completely, we all knew that.

No one can.

It was a matter of the Bills' defensive front seven limiting the Patriots on their occasional run plays and most importantly, creating momentum-shifting turnovers while reverting back to their "bend but don't break" defense of the Perry Fewell era. 

They did exactly that. 

Forget Brady's 387 yards through the air because really, it looks like he's going to do that every week. He's the master of the meticulous, pass-happy system and his offensive line gives him a ridiculous amount of time in the pocket.

The majority of his throws are underneath targets that usually come from picks or "rubs" and Wes Welker is ideal for those plays and the tough-to-cover "jerk" route.

Teams won't be able to cover Rob Gronkowski, ever. The guy runs like a wide receiver but has the body and hands of Tony Gonzalez and is probably just as athletic. 

But what Brady has mastered as he's matured into one of the best ever are those back-shoulder, timing routes when his receivers are covered — essentially throwing guys open. 

He has torched every defense in the NFL with it for years now and it's the most frustrating aspect of his game for opposing coaches and fans alike. 

The Bills' secondary caught onto this and took advantage in the second half. 

George Wilson was beat by Gronkowski in the first half on a deep seam route when he was all over the WNY native, but made the adjustment during the Bills' comeback charge and intercepted Brady in the end zone.  

Leodis McKelvin undercut Brady on a deep-in to Chad Ochocinco and Jairus Byrd had a crucial diving pass deflection on a third down.

For once, the defensive backfield was aggressive on the ball.

That's how you got to be when facing No. 12.

Go for it, take a risk, dive for a ball...turn around.

You can look at Welker's franchise-record 16 catches and Gronk's big game and think the Bills passing defense played badly, but they had the seemingly impossible task of intercepting Brady, and were extremely successful. 

Remember, Brady threw four picks all of last year. 

Turning it over had to be the focal point of the defensive game plan and they executed.

All without any semblance of a pass rush.

Another reason why this game was so hard to believe.

On Offense

The game was hyped as a shootout and it met all the expectations.

What I've come to realize about the Bills is their running game is so tremendous not only because of Fred Jackson himself, but when and how much they use him. 

Sure, Jackson is durable and big enough to be a 25-carry-a-game back, but Gailey knows he doesn't have to use him that much for him to be effective.

He had only 12 carries, but gained 74 yards.

The Patriots rarely knew when he was getting the football.

By keeping New England's defense honest with his creative four and five-receiver sets, it allowed Gailey to pick the times to let Fitzpatrick hand the ball to Jackson from the shotgun.

Also, the perfect amount of screen plays were mixed in for the deceptively shifty Jackson, keeping the Patriots guessing. 

Very reminiscent of how Ted Marchibroda utilized Thurman Thomas in the 1990s.

The Bills head coach has done this in the team's first three games and it has paid huge dividends. 

How many obvious run plays from the I-form are you seeing?

Not as many. 

With the majority of Jackson's carries coming from the shotgun, he doesn't get a multitude of clogged, eight and nine-men boxes. 

Really, it's not overly complicated.  

The spread doesn't just benefit the passing game. 

Jackson is proving that. 

As for throwing the football, the Bills are taking advantage of every man-to-man situation from their almost college-like spread system and were especially aggressive against it on Sunday.

Donald Jones, Stevie Johnson...it hasn't mattered. 

When they face zone coverage, David Nelson is Fitzpatrick's favorite target. He's the ideal zone killer because of his crisp route running and 6'5'' frame.

He had five grabs for 84 yards on Sunday. 

The receivers have performed admirably, but Fitzpatrick's command of the offense and pre-snap reads are really making everything go. 

He has shown the ability to read which defenders are blitzing to call the necessary offensive line shifts and has recognized when the easy slant throw will be open. 

Against New England, the Bills' offensive game plan was the same as it was in Weeks 1 and 2. 

After a 41 and 38-point outing, why change it?

The Bills haven't been perfect, but at 3-0, there hasn't been much to change.