With only 30 minutes between them and their first division title since 2019, the New England Patriots ran out of gas. They had built a 24-7 halftime lead over the five-time reigning AFC East champion Buffalo Bills, but in the second half were outperformed in all three phases.

When all was said and done, the Bills traveled back west with a 35-31 victory in hand. The Patriots, meanwhile, were left wondering: what happened in the second half?

For head coach Mike Vrabel, the explanation is quite simple.

“We weren’t able to get any stops,” Vrabel said during his postgame press conference. “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 goin

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