How the Patriots Baited Josh Allen Into Throwing an Interception

The Patriots stunned the Bills with a 29-25 last-minute victory on Sunday. New England’s defense made the first big play of the game when safety Jabrill Peppers picked off Josh Allen on Buffalo’s first offensive snap. While watching live, this just seemed like another poor read and decision by Allen:

But based on post-game comments from Bill Belichick and Jabrill Peppers, that wasn’t exactly the case.

Peppers:

“That was a play I recognized on tape. Just had to play the proper technique and catch the ball.”

Belichick:

“We got hit on that play against them last year and worked on it in practice and he played it well.”

Translation: We baited him into making that throw.

The play Belichick and Peppers were referring to was a “sail” 3-level stretch concept. During their first matchup of the 2022 season in Foxborough, the Bills utilized it off of play-action on their second offensive snap of the game, picking up 19 yards in the process: