Four Patriots' interceptions, including one which was returned for a touchdown, and an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown proved to be unsurmountable for the Bills' offense.
The Bills drew first blood with a field goal, but on the ensuing kickoff Derrick Cullors scored a touchdown.
The defense then stepped up forcing three interceptions in the second quarter by Jimmy Hitchcock, Ty Law, and Willie Clay. When the dust had settled, the Patriots were up 17-3 at the half.
Todd Collins was called into quarterback for the Bills for the Bills in the second half only to be picked off himself. The pressure came from Willie McGinest when Collins threw the ball in Chris Slade's area. After hauling in the tip Slade waltzed in for the touchdown.
It was the first time in franchise history in which the Patriots scored an offensive, a defensive, and a special teams touchdown in one single game. The scores added up to 31 points as the Patriots dusted the Bills by 21.
Pats in three-way tie for first in AFC East
The Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills by 21 points to improve to 4-1 in the division and move into a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East. Special teams and stellar defense delived this win for the Patriots who put the game away fairly early.
Nov 09, 1997 at 10:00 AM
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