LeSean McCoy's star fades in Bills' cutting-edge loss to Patriots

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A few hours before the Buffalo Bills kicked off their simplest prime-time game of the season Monday night in opposition to the New England Patriots, teach Sean McDermott to become requested if walking returned LeSean McCoy was important to Buffalo's possibilities to conquer its long-dominant AFC East foe.

"Correct," McDermott told WGR 550, chuckling at how obvious the solution regarded.

McDermott changed into prescient, however no longer inside the manner he might have favored. McCoy, who McDermott said become in complete health after being cleared Sunday from the concussion protocol, received 12 yards on the Bills' first play after taking an instantaneous snap in a Wildcat formation. His subsequent eleven runs went for a total of 1 yard in a 25-6 loss to the Patriots that dropped the Bills to two-6.

For a six-time Pro Bowl going for walks again who counts $9 million towards the Bills’ profits cap this season, something appeared missing in opposition to a Patriots protection that allowed the league’s eighth-highest yards in keeping with delivering getting into Week eight.

With the NFL's change cut-off date drawing close at 4 p.M. Tuesday, it's far truthful to impeach whether McCoy's big name has diminished and what price he may want to deliver to the Bills over the rest of his agreement, which expires after the 2019 season.
Although McCoy led the Bills with six catches for eighty-two yards on Monday night time, he entered the game ranked 34th inside the NFL in yards according to deliver (three.87) this season and thirty sevenths because of the begin of the 2017 season (3.95). His maximum latest touchdown -- speeding or receiving -- got here in Week 15 of ultimate season.

A fairly sullen McCoy sat with his head down at his locker for numerous mins after Monday’s recreation earlier than answering questions from newshounds, at times apparently protecting back tears.

“The hard paintings I’ve installed my complete life, my profession, for it to take place like this every sport, it’s tough,” he said. “You see the defense available, simply grinding. It is irritating.”

McCoy has 257 yards on 75 contains this season, a three.4 yards-in line with-carry average that is by way of far the worst of his 10-yr profession.

“I ain’t expect to have no season like this,” he stated. “I’m now not clearly playing well at all. We’re now not doing a great deal on offense. ... What do I were given, two hundred yards? In the [eighth game]? That’s by no means passed off to me. Yeah, it’s specific. It’s an exclusive season. I’m 30 years old, gambling when you consider that after I’ve been in high school. This stuff [has] by no means came about to me. It is difficult.”

McCoy, 30, believes his abilities have not declined.

“I nonetheless can play,” he stated. “Defenses realize I nevertheless can play. You see the manner they approach me when I’m in the sport.”
Entering Week 8, McCoy changed into averaging 2.7 yards in line with delivering in the first halves of video games. Some blame for that lack of production must fall at the offensive line, which misplaced stalwart middle Eric Wood and guard Richie Incognito to retirement final offseason, however McCoy's struggles to constantly advantage superb yards and make game-breaking runs have to turn out to be placing.

The Bills had a possibility to get away Monday with a win over the Patriots (6-2) due to their defense's capacity to keep New England's offense to field desires. However, the Bills' lack of ability to establish their ground attack compounded the more expected issues at quarterback that confirmed up once more within the fourth sector, while Derek Anderson threw a recreation-clinching interception that becomes again for a touchdown by Devin McCourty.


Anderson left the game with running shoes on the Bills’ final pressure after taking a large hit on a sack. McDermott stated Anderson’s damage was being evaluated after the sport and did not provide in additional information.

Trading McCoy might not extensively change the Bills' offense in the 2nd half of the season. Backup Chris Ivory appeared greater powerful Monday night, gaining as many yards (thirteen) on one run as McCoy had the complete sport. Ivory, who entered Monday night ranked 56th among all NFL strolling backs in yards per carry because the begin of the 2017 season, finished with 34 yards on six contains.

Asked about how Tuesday’s exchange deadline, McCoy replied, “Who knows,” however made it clear he does not need out of Buffalo.

“This is my team,” he said. “They’ve achieved lots to me. Loyalty to me. I’m satisfied right here. But it doesn’t depend whether I changed into here or everywhere else, playing a season like this, you would be mad. I don’t think it’s a be counted of wherein I’m at. It’s simply what’s been taking the region and the way matters are going offensively.”