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8 Patriots-Bills takeaways: Special teams meltdown ensures losing season in New England

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Missed tackles and brutal special teams play in Buffalo landed the Patriots with a losing season.

New England fought valiantly on an emotional afternoon at Highmark Stadium but allowed Nyheim Hines to return a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns in a 35-23 loss. As such, they were eliminated from postseason play, and finish at 8-9; Robert Kraft won’t get the elusive playoff win he’s been chasing this season.

Here are takeaways from the finale in Buffalo:

Brutal kickoff coverage

It’s a moment that’ll live in Bills lore forever, but it’ll be yet another play on the Patriots special teams low-light reel.