In a cold Buffalo evening, the Patriots were trying to pull off an upset, but a critical decision loomed in the fourth quarter.
Jerod Mayo had watched his team’s early 14-0 lead evaporate, leaving them trailing 24-14 with just 8:33 left on the clock. Facing a fourth-and-5 from their own 45-yard line, Mayo had to decide whether to risk going for it or punt the ball back to Josh Allen, who had been in control all game. With the Patriots’ defense struggling to stop the Bills, the prospect of giving Allen another possession was daunting, especially with a two-score deficit.
Mayo ultimately chose to punt, explaining the decision was centered on “field position.”
After a 45-yard punt from Bryce Baringer, the Bills were able to convert a crucial third down and run nearly four minutes off the clock before sending the ball back to New England. Despite the Patriots getting the ball back, they couldn’t capitalize, and the Bills ran out the clock to seal a 24-21 victory.
Mayo clarified his decision by saying it was all about managing the team’s remaining timeouts. “Our timeouts were really important at that stage,” he said. “With three timeouts left, there was still a chance to get the ball back, but we weren’t able to make it work.”
