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Bills drop divisional showdown after Hairston’s nightmare performance and Josh Allen’s late INT (observations)

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Matt Parrino, Ryan Talbot (via syracuse.com)
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates with offensive tackle Spencer Brown (79) after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reacts in the first half against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs against New England Patriots center Jared Wilson (55) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates with defensive tackle Greg Gaines (97) after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) makes a catch for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (1) during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) celebrates after scoring against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs against Buffalo Bills cornerback Dee Alford (23) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III (7) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) makes a catch against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) makes a catch against Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Greg Gaines (97) reacts with defensive end Landon Jackson (94) after recovering a fumble against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III (7) and linebacker Darius Muasau (54) tackle Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) runs against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) fumbles the ball against Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) and Buffalo Bills linebacker TJ Parker (99) during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) celebrates with offensive tackle Spencer Brown (79) after scoring against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) prays before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs against Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Greg Gaines (97) and defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) runs against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) makes a catch against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) makes a catch for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (1) during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) runs against New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson (4) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against New England Patriots center Jared Wilson (55) and defensive end Dre'mont Jones (5) during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) against Buffalo Bills cornerback Davison Igbinosun (21) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) reacts after a catch against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) makes a catch against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) dives to score a touchdown against New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder (91) in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 4, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)Buffalo Bills cornerback Davison Igbinosun, left, breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) runs after a catch against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)Buffalo Bills cornerback Dee Alford. left, catches a fumble by New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) makes a catch for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (1) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) makes a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Kindle Vildor (28) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau (15) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) scores a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (1) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) makes a catch for a touchdown against New England Patriots cornerback Charles Woods (22) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against the Buffalo Bills in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)A Buffalo Bills fan cheers in the second half against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) scores a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (1) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots linebacker Erick Hunter (49) tackles Buffalo Bills wide receiver Greg Dortch (19) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)New England Patriots cornerback Kindle Vildor (28) tackles Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) makes a catch to score a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, right, celebrates with tackle Spencer Brown after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) runs against Buffalo Bills wide receiver Greg Dortch (19) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) in the second half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) gives the ball to a fan after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Orchard Park, N.Y. — Maxwell Hairston was maybe the worst Bills defender on the field for the team’s first defensive possession. The bad news for Bills fans is that things didn’t get much better the rest of the game.

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