The Buffalo Bills let one slip through their fingers on Sunday. Buffalo fell to the New England Patriots in what was the most entertaining game of the early window, and with it went the Bills’ undefeated start to the 2026 season.

The truth is, there is plenty to learn from this one and still a lot to be excited about. So let’s get into the winners and losers from the Bills’ loss to the Patriots.

Bills winners vs. Patriots

CB Dee Alford

Bills cornerback Dee Alford has been solid to start his 2026 season in Buffalo, and he put together another good game against New England before getting hurt. The highlight was an interception of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, which gave the Bills a much-needed spark.

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WR Keon Coleman

The biggest winner comes from the offensive side of the ball, and it has to be wide receiver Keon Coleman. If this turns out to be his breakout year, we might look back on this game as the reason why.

Coleman came up with a huge catch in the fourth quarter to help Buffalo build on its momentum. On top of that, he moved the chains on another big third-down conversion He then cross-faced his defender on a big-time post route to give the Bills the go-ahead score.

The Bills didn’t go on to win, but that certainly wasn’t because of Coleman. He did most of that damage without DJ Moore on the opposite side of the field, so the Patriots knew exactly who they had to stop. To be fair to New England, it played without CB Christian Gonzalez. Even so, this was a great day for the young wide receiver.

DE Greg Rousseau

Greg Rousseau rounds out the winners. The box score won’t show many tackles, TFLs, or sacks, but the tape tells a different story.

If you go back and watch the game, you will see a Patriots offensive line doing everything it could to contain Rousseau. He consistently got Maye off his spot. In fact, part of the reason Maye had such a big day on the ground is that he couldn’t stand in the pocket, because Rousseau would have teed off on him. He forced a lot of pressures and flushed Maye time and again. Good job by Rousseau.

Bills losers vs. Patriots

OT Dion Dawkins

This was not a game offensive tackle Dion Dawkins will want to write home about. He gave up a sack, didn’t look comfortable all day, and ended up on his back multiple times.

Dawkins is arguably the best offensive lineman the Bills have. He has to be sharper so Allen can play within the pocket.

WR Khalil Shakir

Khalil Shakir had a fumble and a dropped pass, and he didn’t look like his normal reliable self over the middle of the field. I expect him to clean it up and be better for Allen and that Buffalo offense, but this wasn’t his best day at the office.

QB Josh Allen

Josh Allen had an incredible day in a lot of ways. But that game-sealing interception has become a microcosm of his career in Buffalo over the last two seasons.

We saw it against the Denver Broncos in the playoffs, and we saw it earlier this year against the Houston Texans. The only difference against Houston is that Allen made a crazy play to win the game, because he is an alien. He is arguably the best player in the NFL and arguably the most talented quarterback in the league.

Which is also my main issue with Allen. Too many times, and we saw it again at the end of this game, he puts the ball in harm’s way and plays recklessly. That costs his team, and that is exactly what happened against the Patriots.

I don’t think I’m breaking any news here. The bottom line is that until Allen learns how to take care of the football, the Bills are not winning anything of significance.

It was a good game, but the way I see it, this is one that Buffalo and Allen will want to have back.