Overview
- Since early November, New England ranks near the top in first-half EPA and success rate but falls to negative EPA with a 22nd-ranked success rate and 10.6 second-half points per game.
- McDaniels said he sees no common themes, framed playing with a lead as a mental challenge, accepted responsibility for the lull, and labeled the Bills loss a potential lesson after a 21-0 start in a 35-31 defeat.
- The Patriots have produced only four second-half touchdowns since Week 9, three on 50-plus-yard runs by rookie TreVeyon Henderson, highlighting a lack of sustained late drives.
- Drake Maye’s production dips after halftime in that span, with completion rate dropping from 73.2% to 57.0% and a 1-to-3 TD-INT line in second halves.
- Buffalo’s move to more split-safety and tight man coverage stalled the passing game, and a high-man Ravens defense now awaits as injuries on New England’s defense increase pressure on the offense to finish games.