The Buffalo Bills continued their 2024 schedule with a Week 16 win over the New England Patriots, 24-21.

The Bills (12-3) and Patriots (3-12) have trended in opposite directions this season, but this one was closer than many expected. Coming off of a big win over the Detroit Lions last week, Buffalo looked sluggish at the start of the game but were able to overcome the slow start.

Next up, the Bills will host the New York Jets (4-11) in Week 17. As the season unfolds, we are learning more and more about this year’s Bills team.

Here are five things we learned from Week 16’s win vs. the Patriots:

Health is most important

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As the Bills enter the final stretch of their 2024 regular season, it is apparent that health is a major focus entering the postseason. In Week 16 they sat four defensive starters. If it was a playoff game, all of them would probably be pushing to play. But, since the Bills won their division four weeks ago and the one-seed Kansas City Chiefs keep winning, the Bills are prioritizing health for a playoff run.

James Cook can carry the load

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James Cook was a star in Week 16 in what was an overall lackluster performance from the Bills offense. Cook ran the ball just 11 times but put together 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, and also had 26 receiving yards (team-high) and a receiving touchdown.

Cook has proven to be reliant as the lead-back for the Bills this year. He has 14 rushing touchdowns, which is just two from tying O.J. Simpson’s franchise season record.

Players were missed on defense

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The Bills offense got off to a slow start, but the defense was worse to start. They couldn’t buy a stop for much of the first half. It was apparent that starters Rasul Douglas, Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, and Matt Milano were sorely missed.

The next guys up struggled. In turn, the Patriots had long drives which kept Josh Allen and the offense off the field.

Capable of winning ugly

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Most of the Bills’ wins this year have come at the hands of great or efficient offensive performances. The Week 16 win was never very pretty, and they had to slug it out to outlast a poor Patriots team. The Chiefs have gotten criticism this year for playing close games against bad teams. Well, Week 16 was the Bills’ turn to edge past a struggling team. A win is a win, no matter how they come.

Still perfect at home

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The Bills are a perfect 7-0 at home in 2024. And, they have a chance to go undefeated on the season at home when they host the Jets in Week 17. The Bills will have an opportunity for at least two home playoff games if they keep winning.