Allen on Bills' loss to Patriots: "Not going to win turning the ball over three times."

The Buffalo Bills suffered a disappointing 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots, marking their first defeat of the season and snapping a 14-game home winning streak.

Why it matters: This loss is not just a setback in the standings; it highlights critical issues within the Bills' offense and overall execution that could affect their playoff aspirations as the season progresses.

By the numbers: The Bills committed 11 penalties and turned the ball over three times, significantly hindering their chances for success.

• These turnovers included a botched handoff between Josh Allen and tight end Dawson Knox, as well as a fumble by wide receiver Keon Coleman after a completed pass.
• Allen also threw an interception in the red zone during the third quarter, contributing to a frustrating offensive performance.

What’s new: Despite a solid individual showing from quarterback Josh Allen, who completed 22 of 31 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, the team was unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

• Allen also led the team in rushing with 53 yards, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities, but even this was not enough to overcome the team's mistakes.

Yes, but: The scoreboard does not fully reflect the potential the Bills displayed; they failed to convert drives into points inside Patriots territory.

• The Bills did not score on three separate drives that ended within the red zone of the opposing team, a statistic that illustrates missed opportunities and execution failures.

Our thought bubble: Coach Sean McDermott emphasized the game as a "pivotal learning opportunity," suggesting that this loss could serve as a wake-up call for a team that has high aspirations this season.

• He noted, "We didn't play our game tonight, and that's frustrating," indicating a need for fundamental improvements moving forward.

Zoom In: Shaq Thompson's comments on the need to clean up penalties underscore the self-inflicted wounds that plagued the Bills throughout the game.

• "If we get a turnover, we got to go make a turnover," he said, highlighting the importance of converting defensive stops into scoring opportunities.

The bottom line: As the Bills reflect on this hard-fought battle, they must address their inconsistency to ensure this loss does not become a trend. With the season still young, the focus will now turn towards regaining momentum in upcoming matchups.