Bills - 35, Patriots - 31
Q. Drake, 24-7 lead, what changed in the second half offensively that sort of bogged you guys down?
DM: Came out in the second half and just gotta make a play, pick up the first first down, I think that's the biggest thing. Were some throws I wish I had back, but at the end of the day gotta keep the foot on the pedal and keep it going and kind of don't let them dictate.
It starts with me. And we kind of felt during the week that we had a chance this was going to happen, and just gotta keep our foot on the pedal.
It happened in the first game, they came back, came back. Just gotta make a play and do my part when we had the ball and a chance to win the game, go win the game.
Q. One of the shining points of today was TreVeyon Henderson and his big runs. I'm curious what you saw from him in those moments? Also, if you could take us through what was going through your mind as you were kind of the lead blocker on that second one, it looked like.
DM: Just get him in space. He's tough to tackle. He's got good vision. He's fast. He can make one cut and he's gone. And he probably would have outran them if I wasn't down there.
So, he's a great player for us. And we've just got to continue to make more plays to come out with a W.
Q. You spoke this week about the importance of taking care of business with the opportunity because of the division on the line. How do you sort of stomach the missed opportunity and move on from here?
DM: Yeah, just don't let it beat you twice. Move on to the next week and learn from it and take what we can. And know that we've got some football ahead of us that's important, still very important. And don't just hang our hat and keep your head up and know that we had a chance and we're there, just they made more plays and credit to them.
Q. How motivating is a game like today for you and the team going forward?
DM: Yeah, it's definitely -- it was a long stretch where we were feeling good about ourselves, and it was a chance for us to respond from something, respond from being late in the season and playing meaningful football and responding from losing to a good team.
We've got to get back, get back and start some practice. And looking forward to getting another chance next Sunday.
Q. It's been two straight games where you've had most of your offensive production the first half. Any common trend you see between the two half?
DM: We just have to be better when we're up. It starts with me making some throws. And from there, like Coach says, no naps, not relaxing. I didn't feel like we relaxed, just didn't make enough plays.
Credit to them. And I think it's one of the things that we're emphasizing during the week. And gotta do a better job.
Q. How quickly do you put something like this behind you? Considering you guys are obviously disappointed, you've got a major opportunity in front of you and you were leading in this game. How quickly do you personally put this behind you?
DM: I think you come back tomorrow. And once you watch the tape and hang out with teammates and talk about it, you flush it after tomorrow and get back on Tuesday for a new week and another tough opponent. We've got to flush it and know that this is what the NFL is. It's any given week and it's on to the next.
Q. We in the media get all caught up in the two quarterbacks. Obviously the fans and the talk shows do. When this game is going on you see him scoring five straight touchdowns, what's the word? Do you appreciate that? Do you notice it? Or are you wrapped up in your own game?
DM: I'm worried about our guys. I'm trying to go match it, and trying to go answer. We answered once, but failed to do it the next two times. So had a chance when defense got us the ball back, and that's what you have to strive for. We made it happen last time but didn't make it happen today.
Q. Especially in the first half, you obviously were beating the Bills with your feet. How many were designed runs for you, or what was happening with the defense when you took off?
DM: Just seeing the defense and trying to use my legs when I can, trying to add an extra element in the red zone to gain an extra hat. And from there try to make a play and try to get in the end zone.
Q. Coach Vrabel mentioned the role of pressure, figured in the second half he knew Buffalo would continue to pressure. Looked like they continued to show that in the final fourth down and backed out with a cover 1 look. What did you see from the start of the snap to the end of the play?
DM: Yeah, they dropped some guys underneath and played man. So gotta find a way to make a play and give somebody a chance. Can't not give somebody a chance to go make a play. And just didn't make it.
Q. From a leadership standpoint, how much of a role are you going to play now in terms of helping the team move forward and get ready for Baltimore and put this one behind you?
DM: It's huge, huge for me to get the guys going, getting the guys going back in practice, let them know that this is what it's about, bouncing back and responding. And we have a lot of football ahead of us, and we've got to appreciate that and don't take that for granted and learn from it.
But like I say, got a big one next Sunday night, and we're on the road again. It's going to be a tough one, another good football team.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports