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. (AP) — Rex Burkhead scored twice and the New England Patriots won their eighth straight by beating the Buffalo Bills 23-3, continuing their dominance over their AFC East rival.
Tom Brady went 21 of 30 for 258 yards and an interception, while improving to 27-3 over Buffalo and breaking Brett Favre's NFL record for most wins by a quarterback against any one opponent. Favre had 26 wins over Detroit.
Brady needed to simply stand aside and let the Patriots' rejuvenated rushing attack wear down the Bills in a game New England never trailed. Dion Lewis had 92 yards rushing and Burkhead had 78.
The Patriots built a 9-3 lead on Stephen Gostkowski's three field goals in the first half, including a 50-yarder. Burkhead then took over in the second half by capping New England's first two drives with 1- and 14-yard touchdown runs .
New England (10-2) won its 14th consecutive road game — the second-longest streak in NFL history — and reached double-digits in victories for the 15th consecutive season. New England also improved to 30-5 against Buffalo since Patriots coach Bill Belichick was hired in 2000.
The Bills (6-6) not only lost the game, but also lost starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was carted off the sideline with a left knee injury in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. It's unclear when Taylor was hurt, though he began favoring his left leg after being sacked by David Harris on Buffalo's first play from scrimmage.
Nathan Peterman took over and oversaw a 13-play, 73-yard drive that stalled at the Patriots 1. The drive ended on fourth-and-goal when Peterman's fade pass intended for Zay Jones was batted away by cornerback Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo's former 2012 first-round draft pick. Gilmore spent his first five seasons in Buffalo before signing with the Patriots in free agency this past offseason.
Peterman finished 6 of 15 for 50 yards passing in his first appearance since throwing five interceptions in the first half of a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 19.
The Bills' offensive inconsistencies were once again apparent, which was a reason coach Sean McDermott took what he called a "calculated risk" to bench Taylor in favor of Peterman in the first place.
Taylor finished 9 of 18 for 65 yards and a costly interception. It happened on Buffalo's opening possession with the Bills facing first-and-goal at the Patriots 6. Taylor double-pumped in the pocket before throwing a pass directly to linebacker Eric Lee at goal line.
The Bills managed four first downs and 102 yards of offense over their next six possessions before Taylor left the game.
Burkhead's first touchdown capped a methodical 10-play, 70-yard drive. After Burkhead was stopped attempting to dive right on first-and-goal from the 1, he scored by diving to the left to put the Patriots up 16-3.
FLAG DAY
The game got chippy with multiple flags being thrown after Bills rookie Tre'Davious White intercepted Brady's pass with 4:39 remaining.
Rob Gronkowski, the intended target, got up and lowered his shoulder to pound White, who was already on the ground. Patriots receiver Danny Amendola and Bills safety Micah Hyde had to be separated after exchanging shoves.
Then Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes was penalized for making contact with an official after the whistle.
Gronkowski, Amendola and Hyde were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
White was dazed after being hit. The rookie first-round pick got up slowly and was escorted into the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.
WILDCAT
The Bills introduced some trickery in a bid to spark their offense by using third-string quarterback Joe Webb in several wildcat formations.
Webb had three rushes for 27 yards, including a 22-yarder up the middle to open Buffalo's fourth possession of the game. Five snaps later, facing second-and-10 from New England's' 37, Webb slightly overthrew a pass intended for Travaris Cadet, who was open deep over the middle.
FIELD-GOAL FEST
New England's nine points in the first half were the team's fewest in a first half since a 16-0 loss to Buffalo on Oct. 2, 2016. That was a game Jacoby Brissett started for the Patriots in place of Brady, who was serving the fourth and final game of his "Deflategate" suspension.
New England's 130 yards rushing in the first half were the most by the Patriots through two quarters since they had 141 in a 42-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 16, 2014.
UP NEXT
Patriots: Play second of three straight on road at Miami on Dec. 11
Bills: Continue three-game homestand, hosting Indianapolis on Dec. 10.
