Patriots looking to turn page quickly heading into playoffs

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots have talked about needing to summon a heightened sense of urgency since having their sevengame win streak ended during a mistaken-laden loss at Indianapolis last month.

Three games and two more losses later, New England is still trying to find a way out of its fog as it attempts to retool in time for its wild-card playoff matchup with division rival Buffalo on Saturday night.

If nothing else, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said they know what they can expect from the Bills this week.

“We know they’re a good team,” he said. “They certainly

PATRIOTS at BILLS

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. (CBS)

played well in the last game we had against them. Yeah. We have a lot to get ready for.”

Another slow start and unforced errors doomed the Patriots from the outset of their 33-24 loss at Miami on Sunday.

Rookie quarterback Mac Jones’ second-quarter pick-6 to Xavien Howard put the Patriots in a 14-0 hole, which typically hasn’t meant good things this season.

The Patriots fell to 4-6 on the season when failing to score first and to 2-6 when not scoring in the first quarter.

Jones took a lot of blame for Sunday’s shortcomings.

“It’s super embarrassing, honestly, just from my point how I played,” he said. “Wasn’t good enough. And I can be better. And it starts with me. I’m the quarterback. And that’s my job is to make people around me have success. And it starts with me, so we’ll get it fixed. . We’ve got a great opportunity next week. And that’s all you can ask for.”

Belichick said his message to the team this week is uncomplicated.

“Try to play and coach well,” he said. “It’s a onegame season. It’s no big mystery.”