HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL

Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, December 14, 2025

Q: Just what was the biggest difference that you saw in the first half versus the second half?

MV: I mean, we weren't able to get any stops. When we had an opportunity to make a play, we weren't able to make it. Penalties. And that's how this game goes. A few small plays make the difference. We were very prepared for this team to -- we were going to need 60 minutes to beat this team. This is a good football team. We had a lot of good football in there. And we had a lot of plays that, a few plays we'd like to have back that we'll have to learn from.

Q: With Robert Spillane, you didn't have him as an active today, but we (indiscernible) saw him out there. Having him more of an emergency situation –

MV: Yeah, we felt like after going through the warmups and everything that that was what was going to be best for him today. And we need everybody, and certainly Robert. And we'll have to try to get as healthy as we can as quickly as we can.

Q: You talk about complementary football. How much was the return by Davis to start the second half, 58 yards, and some of the issues that you had with the kick return?

MV: That was a strength of ours. And we knew going in that it would be a good test and a great challenge. So again, they're too good to give them short fields. And turnover -- excuse me -- field position in games like this is critical, making them be able to drive it and somehow along the way get a stop. So that wasn't the only play. That was certainly one that we needed to get back. And, again, that's been a strength of ours. I'm confident that it will be a strength of ours going forward.

Q: Two critical pass interference calls obviously went against you guys that led to touchdowns, and the (indiscernible) Carlton Davis, late flag on that. Wanted to get your reaction, what did you think about those calls?

MV: The same guy thought it was a penalty the same way. So, it's a judgment call. Whether I disagree with it or not doesn't matter. He called it. That's how this thing goes.

Q: The Bills only had 14 yards of offense in the first quarter, three punts and then five straight touchdowns. What changed, do you think, for them?

MV: They were able to get the running game going. We missed tackles. We didn't build a good enough wall. Didn't get off on third down. Weren't able to create any turnovers. And weren't getting any stops in the red zone. It's no secret, you know what I mean? Called the same stuff, they called the same stuff. We just have to be able to take advantage of those opportunities that we get to get the drive stopped. Whether that's a penalty or one play or third-down conversion, we've just got to be able to learn from it.

Q: Is this an opportunity for your team to learn from this situation, second half? Is that basically what you told them after?

MV: Sure, that's exactly what I told them. We have an opportunity to improve like we have when we won, the same as today when we lost and came up short. There's a lot of good stuff in there that I'm proud of and that we'll be able to use as a positive, and a lot of stuff that we have to correct and make sure that we fix. And we'll do that tomorrow and try to get as healthy as we can and put a plan together for Baltimore.

Q: Two straight weeks now where a lot of the offensive production has come in the first half. Any trends you're seeing in the second half from the offense?

MV: For me, today, I don't know if I'd be able to answer that. I thought, when the limited opportunities that they had, today we hit a bunch of big plays. So, then the drive that we needed our offense to get, I was confident, and I thought for sure that we'd take that football and go down and score a touchdown. And we just weren't able to. That's why I went for it.

Q: I know they're obviously leading the league in rushing. Specifically when you were in base defense what did you see there in the second half that wasn't working the way you wanted?

MV: This is a big, physical offensive line. And you have to be able to not give them any cracks or any holes in the wall. And if you have any, Cook finds them. We knew you'd have to get off blocks and have to have color separation and not show them creases. That's really what it comes down to.

Q: What did you see from them in the second half defensively that stymied you guys a bit offensively and kept you guys in check?

MV: We knew they were going to continue to pressure. They pressured and played zone. It wasn't enough for us to be able to -- I thought there were times where they pressured and we couldn't come clean or we weren't able to complete some passes, especially on third down when they pressured. So we'll have to learn from it and we'll have to make sure that we're converting third downs.

Q: This isn't Josh Allen's first rodeo in these kinds of games -- dozens, couple of dozen. What is it about him, what do you see on maybe in film why he's able to do this sort of game in game out?

MV: Same thing everybody else sees. He's 6'5", 250 pounds, runs fast, hard to tackle, hard to get down on the ground. He has an accurate, strong arm. I'm giving you a dissertation on a league MVP. Just watch all the games and know that it's the same as it was last week. Had a guy free. Weren't able to make the play. Last week's team had a guy free, we weren't able to make a play. That's why they drafted him and pay him $60 million. I don't know what to tell you. Just exactly what we knew what it was going to be, that we were going to need to get a stop or be able to tackle and if we pressured and we came free -- so hopefully we get another opportunity to do that. But that won't be for, I don't know, but whenever we do we'll have to be ready for the quarterback that we have this week.

Q: You had some explosive runs from TreVeyon Henderson today. I'm curious what you saw from him, and what allowed him to be so effective on the field today?

MV: I thought we had a good plan. I thought our coaches had a good plan and did a great job. And we'll go from there.

QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE

Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, December 14, 2025

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.

ADDITIONAL PATRIOTS PLAYERS

TreVeyon Henderson, RB

(On the loss)

"Of course, we're not happy with that. Of course we wanted to come out with the win. We knew Buffalo was going to come in and give it their best and play hard. We knew it was going to be a physical game, and they came off the way that they did. At the end of the day, I'm still thankful, even in moments like this. The biggest thing is we want to see where we can learn and just continue to grow from here."

(On his two big runs)

"I think the biggest thing is over time being able to get more opportunities and go up against the best of the best each and every week. It's been helping a lot, just growth. We have a great running backs coach as well who disciplines us really well, and he's been helping me grow as well. I just want to leave it all on the field."

(On Drake Maye's block on his second long run)

"I just think a play like that shows a lot about Drake Maye, the type of player and person he is, and how unselfish he is. That's why when I got in the endzone, the first thing I did was point up to God, of course, but then point at him and just let him know I really appreciate that, appreciate his effort."

(On Coach Vrabel's message to the team after the game)

"I think Coach Vrabel is such a great leader for this team. His message was really to hold us accountable, of course, but to pick us up as well and keep us focused. I think he does a really great job at that. I respect him a lot as a head coach, so I'm thankful I get to play for him."

Stefon Diggs, WR

(On putting this game into words)

"Kind of like that game we anticipated: 60 minutes. Great football team on the other side, great quarterback, great coaches, so you've got to kind of tip your hat to them. They had a great plan, and they came and played well. So, it's going to be a 60-minute football game. So, we came in, got off to a good start, and that's not all. You've got to come out and have the same intensity in the second half. Obviously, we had a little lull. We were trying; we were fighting back, clawing, defense gave us some opportunities. We've got to find a way to make it happen. So, all I can say is it's a 60-minute football game."

(On if he forgot what it felt like to lose)

"No. I mean, it's been awhile since we lost, but I wouldn't say we forgot at all. It is definitely something – you never know, we probably needed it. Going on a little streak, not going to say it's a lot of pressure, but you expect to win, as you should, each and every week. But you play good teams every week. It's a new week every week, and you're trying to go 1-0. You just can't ever draw it or see how it is going to be. So, it's good for us. I kind of said it in the beginning of the year: lessons. If you don't learn anything from it, then obviously a loss, but it's a lesson for sure that you're going to have to keep that foot on the gas."

(On the biggest lesson from the loss today)

"60 minutes. You can't have a lull on the mental side of it and the physical side of it. When you're playing a team like that, they play from behind. They're used to playing from behind, fighting back and clawing. They've been together for some years now, and they've led this division for a while. So, in order to get over that hump, play 60-minute football and execute at a higher level.

(On how to learn the most from this loss)

"Don't be sensitive. Go in tomorrow with the mindset of everybody could have done more. Everybody could've just gave a little extra effort, even if you did give the maximum. Just getting on the same page, communication, just things like that around this time of the year. We had a little bit of weather or whatever you want to dress it up, just going in with the right mindset tomorrow that whatever we did to get here, we're not going to change up. We're just going to have to go a little bit harder, watch a little bit of extra tape, do a little couple extra spins at practice, whatever it takes to get a win. So, preparing the right way is going to be another thing, but we're not changing."

Hunter Henry, TE

(On what the team could have improved on offensively)

"Sustaining drives, picking up some third downs. I had some penalties, put us behind the sticks, negative plays. So, staying ahead of the chains. In the first half we were ahead of the chains a lot and didn't have many third downs, and then it was just a different story in the second half. You have to give them credit, they did some things, mixed it up and were able to execute it."

(On the team's confidence level after the loss)

"We know we're a good football team. They're a really good football team, too. So it was just two teams, and they were able to come out today and outplay us. We have to look at ourselves and watch the tape, clean things up and be better from this."

(On learning from the loss)

"I think it's tough to look back at all the other things, but this definitely can be a kind of kick in the butt. We've had things go our way and everything go our way the last 10 weeks, so this is definitely a reality check. That's a good football team. We went toe to toe with them in every aspect, but we have to give them credit. We've got to get a lot better from this fast."

(On TreVeyon Henderson's explosiveness)

"It's game changing. You guys see it. Speed kills and you can't really teach it. So a guy like that, if we can get him through to the second level, it's huge."

(On the incompletion on third-and-12 late in the fourth quarter)

"I should have caught it. That's on me, I have to be better. That's a crucial situation and I have to make that."

K'Lavon Chaisson, LB

(On the Bills offense)

"Man, that's just a resilient offense, for sure. I just applaud them for not quitting. It can definitely get a little bit discouraging when you're down 21 points. So, they came back in the second half with an agenda on their mind and they executed pretty well."

(On the snowy environment with hats and t-shirts on the line)

"I think that's as close to the playoff environment this season, as we've got to so far. So, thankful for the opportunity for sure. I think that obviously we'll be right back down to business. Now that we obviously know how to handle it, we know the things that we need to dial up on and execute better when that time comes around."

(On their level of confidence as a team)

"It's still high, it's still 10. No, that's not changing, that's my opinion. My opinion is that we've got to clean up, especially on defense today. I think our offense did a great job. We can't give up 35 points on defense and expect the offense to come shaking. So, we've got some things to clean up. We knew the things that we need to handle when going into the game. I think the running back and quarterbacks did a great job managing the game. I think everybody came in on their half, when it came to the second half, executing and doing their job well."

(On how much he enjoys the challenge of games like this)

"It doesn't get better than this. Obviously, you always want to be out there and the opportunity to make those plays, and seal the deal for the team. When you get that opportunity, you've got to make it happen. We didn't make it happen tonight, but I think, obviously, we know what to expect and we know how these situations are going forward. So, we'll be looking forward to the next big opportunity."

Harold Landry, LB

(On if the environment compared to playoff football)

"It's always a big game. A divisional game, it always feels like playoff football. The atmosphere was amazing. I can't say enough about playing here at Gillette.

(On if Josh Allen if frustrating to play against)

"No, I mean, I just think he's a great player, and we knew that. He's just, he's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. You prepare for it, and you just try to go out there and execute against him."

(On if the team's confidence is shaken after the loss)

"I don't think our confidence is shaken at all. I mean, we still had a chance to win the game, and we didn't really execute, at all, at a high level, defensively, at the end of the game. But I don't think our confidence is shaken at all. Like I said, this is just an opportunity for us to come in, learn, really look at ourselves and just improve."

(On the Bills' third-and-long touchdown)

"Yeah, it was a miscommunication we had. We were running something, but we all weren't on the same page up front, and that's what led to him being able to get out and throw the touchdown pass."

Carlton Davis III, CB

(On leaving for injury and returning to play)

"That's just in my DNA. I know what's on the line and it's so hard to watch your team play and not be able to be out there and contribute, especially when I'm needed or when it's a close game. Obviously, we know what's on the line, the division. We know the number one seed, everything's on the line, so I'm not going to stay out. Credit to the trainers, we came in here and did some good exercises that allowed me to get a couple drives in and that was it."

(On if this was a playoff preview)

"That was a playoff game. When you get down to the end of the season and you start talking about seeding, you start talking about division, that's a playoff game. We just played a playoff game, the first one, and it's cool because it wasn't a real playoff game, but the stakes were a playoff kind of thing. Like I said, it's good for us to learn this and make some corrections going into this backstretch. We're going to need all the corrections we need and move forward."

(On what can be learned from the loss)

"We were at a ten-game win streak or something like that? Sometimes a loss can teach you a lot, especially when you've been winning so much. Maybe we needed this loss to help us correct a couple of things and so that we're not invincible, but still a great team. We still have stuff to work on and with the playoffs coming up, we're going to need our best ball ahead of us. So, it's probably something we can learn from for sure."

Christian Gonzalez, CB

(On the Bills scoring five touchdowns in five straight drives)

"Yeah, I cannot say anything but give them props. They were able to go in at halftime and make corrections and come out and execute. We have got to be better."

(On what made Josh Allen difficult to defend)

"I mean, that is what he does. That is his superpower, that is who Josh Allen is. We talked about it all week. It is just props to them. He went out and came out in the second half and did what he does. We will learn from it. It hurts obviously, everybody knows this hurts, but we will learn from it. Get in here tomorrow, learn from it, and be ready to move onto Baltimore next week."

(On the defensive coverage plan going into the game)

"We had a good amount of everything. It was never like, 'We are just going to play man, play zone.' It was a good mix of man and zone. Just wanting to be aggressive and try to do what we do as a defense. As a secondary, we love to play man, so whenever man is called we love it. It is definitely not like we are going to go away from man."

(On Charles Woods coming in for the injured Carlton Davis)

"I did not even notice at first. Once we noticed, there was really no change in the game plan. We in the secondary know there is going to be no drop off, and Charles came in and did a great job. Josh [Allen] tested him on the deep ball and Charles held up. In our room, whoever steps out there we have full confidence in. Happy for him that he got to get out there and show what he can bring and help this defense."

Marcus Jones, CB

(On the Bills' five consecutive touchdown drives)

"I mean, our main thing was, you know, whenever something does go wrong, we come back to the sideline and try to get the corrections and everything. They just got the best of us there."

(On his view of the play he was penalized for)

"Yeah, I would say I was trying to get back in the phase, and I jumped around and came out with the ball. But the referee called a pass interference, so that's what he called it."

(On the defense being on the field for a large portion of the second half)

"No, I don't feel like that's one of those situations where, you know, whenever the offense scores, we know we have got to get back onto the field. Our main thing is that we have to get off the field. So making sure that we dial into our keys and get those three and outs, and everything would definitely help, for sure."

(On how the team puts the loss behind them)

"It starts with tomorrow, getting the corrections and everything. We have a mature team, I will say that. Learn from it and everything, and then get back to the basics that we need to get back to. I would say we have lost before, and we know the things that it takes and everything. Like I said, we have a mature team, so we are going to dial in and get right."

(On what he can learn about the team coming off a loss after a winning streak)

"I would say I have learned a lot. First off, from the situation of learning how guys take losses at the beginning of the year and everything. So it's nothing that we have not been through before. We just know that we need to finish strong and just take it one game at a time and get back to the things that we need to get corrected. Do not look too far into the future, and then just get ready for next week."

Jaylinn Hawkins, S

(On fighting against Josh Allen's comebacks)

"It comes down to execution. There were some plays that we all left out there, it just is what it is. I have to look back at the tape and really critique it. We still have three more games left. We have to shake back, everybody shake back. We know what we should've done, we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and be like, 'What can I do better to help the team?' You know, all of us, and we'll be alright."

(On the difference of the two halves)

"It was just one of those things that you learn, this is a four-quarter game. No matter what happens, the roller coasters, you still have to be even keeled. There still can be players that can change the game at any given moment and they made those plays. We're going to bounce back."

(On lessons from the loss)

"The biggest lesson is to play four quarters, that's it. The biggest lesson is play four quarters of ball. We talked about it all week. So, for learning lessons, this is a lesson for sure. Like I said, we're going to shake back."

(On the message after the game)

"Yeah, we're checking on the people who care, like I said, keep moving forward. I know this one stings for sure, but it's not going to define us. It's not going to define me, it's not going to define the defense, it's not going to define the offense, coaches, nobody. Like I said, we're back in here tomorrow and we're getting after it."