Mike Reiss of The Boston Globe reports that the Patriots started strong in their victory over the Bills. According to Rodney Harrison the Patriots were slacking a bit after the bye week, but Belichick whipped them into shape. "What I remember is Bill yelling and screaming at us, saying we can't have another crappy Wednesday the way we had it," recalled Harrison. "We had almost two practices in one the next day." They carried that Thursday intensity onto the field yesterday.
Jackie MacMullan of *T**he Boston **Globe* offers a piece on rookie Chad Jackson. Jackson, who's coming off a hamstring injury that's been plaguing him all season, ran a 14-yard reverse in the first drive of the Bills game. Jackson also grabbed a 35-yard touchdown pass from Brady in the game, but dropped the final pass that went his way.
*The Boston Globe* reports that the Patriots defense is performing well in the only statistic that matters: points allowed. The Bills never made it to the end zone Sunday. The NFL ranks defenses by yards allowed, but Tedy Bruschi said he thinks points allowed is the best indicator of a defense's strength. "We've had games where we gave up over 300 yards of offense but single-digit scores," said Bruschi. "What matters isn't how many yards they got. It's what was the final score."
Christopher Gasper of The Boston Globe reports that Laurence Maroney's 74-yard kick return sent a message to the Bills. Four plays and a foolish unnecessary roughness penalty on Buffalo's Chris Kelsay later and the Patriots were back in the end zone.
According to Mike Reiss of The Boston Globe, Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour underwent X-rays on his injured left elbow after yesterday's game, and said he should know more about the severity of his condition today. The injury came in the second quarter, and Seymour didn't return. "My arm was planted in the ground and I took a good square shot on it," said Seymour. Also reportedly injured during the game were safety Eugene Wilson, who left in the third quarter with a sore leg and guard Stephen Neal.
John Tomase of the Boston Herald reports that the Bills laid down for the Patriots, committing nine penalties for 67 yards and turning the ball over three times in Patriots territory. "There's still some things we can do better," Brady said. "But it was better than it was six weeks ago against these guys."
Boston Herald writer Michael Felger reports that the Pats divisional slate is two-thirds complete after Sunday's win. The Patriots are now 4-0 in their division with only two AFC East games left.
The Providence Journal's Joe McDonald reports that the Patriots were all-around dominant against the Bills. New England produced big plays on both sides of the ball. Its passing game was cohesive for the first time all season. Its defense was sound. Its special teams were key, so overall it's safe to say everything is falling into place as the Patriots improve to 5-1.
*The Providence Journal* also reports on Asante Samuel, who had his third interception in two games yesterday against Buffalo. "Man, it's great when you can go out make plays and get a lot of turnovers," said a humble Samuel, who didn't want to talk much about his own game.
Shalise Manza Young of The Providence Journal offers her analysis of the matchup, breaking down the game in five categories.
Alan Greenberg of the Hartford Courant reports that the Bills couldn't do enough to overcome their three turnovers to the Patriots. And unlike the Patriots, who weren't even penalized in the first half, the Bills committed several untimely penalties.
The *Hartford Courant* also reports on the play of friends Chad Jackson and Laurence Maroney.
Rich Garven of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports that, despite all the poor play from the Bills, they still brought the heat on Brady. Of the nine sacks Brady has taken this year, seven were issued by Buffalo.
Glen Farley of The Enterprise reports that the Patriots are looking to increase their lead in the AFC East. "For us to separate ourselves another game," running back Heath Evans said, "is a huge focus."
Mark Farinella of *The Sun Chronicle* reports on the Patriots defensive performance. "It's fun playing defense like that," said Harrison. Harrison was credited with six tackles, a half-sack, another quarterback hit and a pass defense in the second win by the Patriots over the Bills this season.
*The Sun Chronicle* also reports on the Patriots passing game. Brady's wideouts performed well and 11 of his 18 passes went to receivers, the others going to tight ends and running backs. "Whenever my number's called, I just go out there and try to make a play," said Reche Caldwell. "There's no go-to guy out there it's just a matter of whoever's open, he's going to get you the football."
Michael Parente of The Woonsocket Call reports that the Patriots were clearly re-energized by the bye-week break. After struggling in the opener, the Patriots emphasized getting off to a fast start this weekend and they scored on each of their first two drives thanks to a pair of costly mistakes by Buffalo.
