The New England Patriots got off to a fast start against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.

Leading by seven at halftime, the Patriots showed what they were capable of, building an unexpected 14-0 lead over the Bills on their first two drives.

The Patriots appeared to want to keep their foot on the gas and keep the Bills on the gas when head coach Jerod Mayo released a fake punt from deep in New England territory on fourth-and-2. Instead of snapping the ball to punter Bryce Baringer, long snapper Joe Cardona hit the ball directly to Dell Pettus, who rushed up the middle for a first down.

Ironically, after scoring the first down, Mayo chose not to attempt a fourth-and-1 from its own 34-yard line three plays later. These are the plays Kayshon Boutte was hoping for during the Patriots’ Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Mayo is often criticized for the passive, questionable play that follows Patriots games week after week. Most of the time his answer is just as unimaginative as the actual play call on the field. He usually just states that he made what he believes was the right decision for the team.

While there is public outcry about Mayo losing his job at the end of the season, Robert and Jonathan Kraft are apparently leaving the door open before making a decision about the first-year coach’s chances of returning for a second year. Was the first half enough to save Mayo from public criticism for at least a week?