The New England Patriots drop to 5-5 with a 13-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium.
Trailing 13-10 with under 2:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, New England made a spirited effort to try (at least) to get into field goal range. But on 4th-and-ten from the Buffalo 34, Drew Bledsoe's attempt to Shawn Jefferson was incomplete.
The Bills, thanks to two field goals by Steve Christie, led New England 6-3 going into the half. Adam Vinatieri was plagued by the win as he made only one out of his three field goal attempts.
The Bills jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the third quarter. QB Doug Flutie capped a 9 play, 47 yard drive with a 10 yard TD pass to TE Jay Riemersma.
[1040:left]On the ensuing drive, New England cut the lead to 13-10 with a nifty 37 yard TD catch by rookie WR Tony Simmons.
Other Notables: The following players were listed as inactive or did not play for New England: FB 30 Tony Carter, LB 53 Chris Slade, LB 59 Todd Collins, OL 60 Scott Rehberg, WR 88 Terry Glenn, WR 80 Troy Brown, OL 67 Jason Andersen, DT 90 Chad Eaton, DT 97 Mark Wheeler.
QB Doug Flutie was intercepted in the end zone twice; S Willie Clay and SS Lawyer Milloy came up with the Flutie picks.
Adam Vinatieri was really plagued by the windy conditions at Bills Stadium. He was successful on one out of three field goal attempts. Vinatieri is now 3-for-10 in his career attempting field goals at Bills Stadium.
