Dan Carpenter’s 48-yard field goal attempt bounced off the post.
The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots had no success scoring in the first half, and Bills kicker Dan Carpenter was unable to give his team a 6-3 halftime lead. The Bills kicker was forced to make a field goal attempt after Bills running back LeSean McCoy had a pass in the end zone broken up by Patriots safety Devin McCourty. Carpenter’s 48-yard field goal attempt subsequently hit the post, adding to the Bills’ frustrations.
This game has clearly been a defensive battle, but this can be expected in a game that features Rex Ryan and the Patriots. The Bills head coach has never been shy to express his hatred for the Patriots and trash talk them since his days as the New York Jets‘ head coach.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was uncharacteristically off for most of the first half, but he came through with a touchdown pass at the end of the second quarter. His early struggles could be attributed to wide receiver Julian Edelman and running back Dion Lewis being out for the season, and the offensive line is still doing him no favors.
Edelman and Lewis were two of Brady’s favorite targets, but he is being forced to turn to receivers such as Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell. The Patriots defense is stepping up big though, as Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been held to 100 yards with no touchdowns. It remains to be seen if the Bills offense can wake up after the Patriots gained momentum heading into the second half.