The New England Patriots have one of the best run defenses in the league this season. They are one of only seven teams to allow less than 100 yards per game, and rank fifth overall. Just a few weeks ago, however, they were No. 1.
The loss of Milton Williams has been felt by this defense in a major way. The Bills continued the trend of easily running the ball, a trend New England has fed into over the past few weeks. Khyiris Tonga missed their matchup against the Giants, and Robert Spillane's absence against the Bills with a foot injury hurt their defense in a big way.
After not allowing a 50+ yard running back for the first nine weeks, they've allowed a 50+ yard rusher in every game since. Sean Tucker first broke their streak, followed by Breece Hall.
Both were still kept under 60 yards, but Chase Brown would eclipse 100 the next week. Devin Singletary had 68 yards on MNF, and James Cook was the second 100-yard rusher they've allowed this year.
Patriots defense before game vs TB: No 50 yard rushing performances by a RB
— Graham Wilker (@GrahamWilker1) December 11, 2025
Patriots defense since game vs TB: 50 yard rushing performances by a RB in every game
The floodgates opened😬#Patriots #nfl
The Patriots desperately need to improve against the run
The Bills were able to take advantage of the Patriots' missing the spine of their defense massively. Cook's 109 yards came efficiently, on 4.9 per carry. Josh Allen's 11 carries garnered 48 yards, or 4.4 a carry. Cook had two rushing touchdowns, and Ty Johnson sealed the game on the ground.
The Bills are the best rushing offense in football, and the Patriots were helpless to stop it. Their next opponent, Baltimore, isn't far behind Buffalo in rushing. Their 146.2 yards per game ranks third in the league, and their run play percentage is also third.
Along with Buffalo and Seattle, they are one of three teams that eclipse a 49% rate.
The Ravens were dominant on the ground last week, with Derrick Henry hitting 100 yards from 11 carries (9.1 YPC), and Keaton Mitchell's eight carries notched 66 yards (8.2 YPC). Lamar Jackson threw the ball just 12 times.
When Derrick Henry rushes for 100+ yards while Lamar Jackson is playing, the Ravens are 3-2 while scoring 23.6 points per game. Their rushing success accurately reflects their 7-7 record through this point in the season, a year in which they've averaged 23.9 PPG.
Lamar Jackson has attempted 30+ passes just twice this season, and the Ravens lost both games. Last season, they were 3-5 when he attempted 30+ passes. He's also had more than five rushing attempts in seven of his eleven games. Baltimore relies heavily on running the football, and it will be crucial that New England can stop the Derrick Henry-led attack to move to 12-3.