The New England Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills in a regular season game at New Era Field on Sunday, December 3, 2017.
New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer, center, arrives at New Era Field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives at New Era Field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, arrives at New Era Field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots headcoach Bill Belichick and his son safeties coach Steve Belichick walk the field at New Era Field prior to the 2017 NFL week 13 regular season football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Orchard Park, NY. (Jim Mahoney via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks the field at New Era Field prior to the 2017 NFL week 13 regular season football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Orchard Park, NY. (Jim Mahoney via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks the field at New Era Field prior to the 2017 NFL week 13 regular season football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Orchard Park, NY. (Jim Mahoney via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench with his phone prior to the 2017 NFL week 13 regular season football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Orchard Park, NY. (Jim Mahoney via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hugs former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (13) talk prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, center, talks to New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer, right, and quarterback Tom Brady prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands with girlfriend Linda Holliday prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady works out prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks to Buffalo Bills owners Terrence Pegula, center, and his wife Kim Pegula prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gestures prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, and his team listen to the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
Buffalo Bills' Brandon Tate (15) returns the opening kickoff as New England Patriots' Rex Burkhead (34) tries to stop him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots defensive end Eric Lee, left, and free safety Devin McCourty (32) celebrate Lee's interception on a pass from Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots defensive end Eric Lee (55) runs with the ball after making an interception on a pass from Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (not shown) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, hands off to running back James White during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back James White, right, tries to make a catch as Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Matt Milano (58) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs with the ball as Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Matt Milano (58) moves in for the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) applies a block on Bills' Jerry Hughes (55) on the play. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, center, is tackled by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) and outside linebacker Matt Milano (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3), with Ryan Allen holding, kicks a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs with the ball as Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) and cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) chase after him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) celebrates with teammates Joe Thuney (62), Cameron Fleming (71) and others after kicking a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) tries to catch a pass as Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Preston Brown (52) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) is brought down by New England Patriots nose tackle Vincent Valentine, top left, and free safety Devin McCourty (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, walks with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at the end of the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, center, looks on from the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) lines up as a wide receiver against New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) runs with the ball as Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) and outside linebacker Ramon Humber (50) move in for the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is tripped by Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) is congratulated by Rob Gronkowski (87) after scoring on a touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick heads to the field before the start of the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) lies on the end zone after scoring on a touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski runs a route against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead, center, rushes in for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia talks to his team during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, talks to his team during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) gestures after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead, right, fights his way into the end zone for a touchdown as Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) and strong safety Micah Hyde (23) try to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y.(AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) gestures after making a catch against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) knocks a pass out of the hands of Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is tackled by Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
The shoes of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick are seen during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung acknowledges spectators after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, left, talks to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski gestures as he leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, left, talks to New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks on the field after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty talks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves the podium after talking to reporters after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Since the bye week, the Patriots defense was holding opponents below 17 points per game, while its offense had been scoring more than 30 with relative ease. Something about the deceptively tough 6-5 Bills, though, made at least some of us wonder if it would be so easy this particular week.
For a while, it wasn't.
Without leading pass rusher Trey Flowers (out with a rib injury), newcomer Eric Lee, in just his second game as a Patriot, saved New England on the game's opening drive with a goal-line interception of QB Tyrod Taylor, and later added his second sack in as many weeks. Thereafter, the defense settled into its normal routine and held Buffalo to just one first-half scoring drive, a barely-made 49-yard field goal.
Meanwhile, a stiff breeze that had flags atop New Era Field whipping straight out all afternoon may have been a contributing factor to both teams' decisions to run the football a considerable amount during a fast-moving first half.
The Patriots had frequent success doing so, accumulating 130 yards on the ground between three of their running backs – Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, and James White – and wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who chipped in with an end-around for five of those yards.
When the Patriots did pass, Brady often found himself either skittishly maneuvering in the pocket to avoid pressure from Buffalo's front or succumbing to it. He also misfired on six of his 14 first-half throws, one of which sparked an eyebrow-raising sideline shouting match with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
An overall lack of execution offensively saw New England head to intermission with a tenuous 9-3 lead thanks to three Stephen Gostkowski field goals, including one with seconds to go in the first half.
"Just have to execute a little bit better," Lewis told reporters later. "They're a good defense and force you to stay patient and not get frustrated. Don't get frustrated if we don't get 30 yards on every play. Stay the course and keep giving great effort."
That philosophy paid off. As they so often do, the Patriots won the opening coin toss, deferred to the second half, and completed the desired score-at-the-end-of-the-half-and-again-at-the-start-of-the-half trick.
Taking the opening kickoff of the second half, the Patriots proceeded to march down the field at the start of the third quarter. That drive ended with Burkhead plowing into the end zone for the first of two touchdowns on consecutive possessions. His second plunge into the Buffalo end zone came with just over a minute to play in the third.
Just like that, New England had a 20-point lead and the game was effectively over.
"It was a big win for the team," Burkhead said afterward. "We knew coming in here was going to be a challenge. We didn't start off fast. They made plays that ended our drives early, but the second half we got it going. The offensive line did a tremendous job up front all day opening up holes and giving us opportunities."
Although the Patriots managed to apply some pressure to Taylor, he kept his team in the game with a number of positive scrambles out of the pocket. But he may have done so one too many times. He was carted off to the Bills' locker room with a knee injury at the start of the fourth quarter.
Just when it looked like the Bills might get a lift from backup QB Nathan Peterman, who led Buffalo down to the Patriots' 1-yard line, Stephon Gilmore thwarted his former teammates with a pass breakup in the end zone on 4th-and-goal. He heard boos all afternoon from Bills fans, but relished them in the afterglow of victory.
"The fans are going to be fans, especially since I played here five years," he said afterward. "Maybe that's a good thing, you know? [It indicates] the kind of player I am."
The crowd's attitude seemed to spill onto the field later. The game got rather chippy towards the end, with both teams venting some frustration by committing personal foul penalties after the outcome had been decided. Tight end Rob Gronkowski in particular was lucky not to have been tossed out of the game when he delivered a forearm shiver to a defenseless Bill, Tre'Davious White, who'd just intercepted a Brady pass along the Patriots' sideline.
In the end, though, New England won its second straight AFC East matchup in hard-fought, sloppy fashion. They'll take the result, which ups their record to 10-2, but not the manner in which it was accomplished.
"I want to apologize to No. 27. I'm not in the business of that," Gronkowski declared. "It was a lot of frustration. I was just really frustrated in that moment. It just happened naturally through emotions and frustration. Just want to apologize to Tre'Davious White. I don't believe in taking shots like that.
"That [kind of behavior] definitely can hurt the team. Obviously, it didn't hurt the team there, but it could in the future."
With two more road games coming up over the next two weeks – and a huge one at currently 9-2 Pittsburgh in the second of those two – the Patriots need to clean some things up if they hope to continue being the only NFL team with a spotless record away from home. If they can do so and come back to Foxborough before Christmas with two more road wins, they'll likely own the pole position for the AFC playoffs.
