New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back for a pass in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on October 29, 2017. File photo by Matthew Healey/UPI |
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Tom Brady went 21-of-30 passing for 258 yards en route to his 27th career victory over the Buffalo Bills as the New England Patriots won 23-3 on Sunday for their eighth straight victory.
Brady, whose lone blip on the day was an interception, broke Brett Favre's NFL record for most wins against a single opponent. Brady has won 14 of those games in Buffalo, tying former teammate Drew Bledsoe for the most by a quarterback at New Era Field (formerly Ralph Wilson Stadium) since 2001.
The Patriots (10-2) didn't need Brady to be at his best to reach double-digit victories for the 15th straight season. They gained 191 of their 435 yards on the ground.
Rex Burkhead rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns and Dion Lewis rushed for 92 yards. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, whose late hit on Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White with the game well in hand in the fourth quarter may net him a fine or suspension, caught nine passes for 147 yards.
The Bills (6-6) lost for the fourth time in five weeks and now trail the Patriots by four games in the AFC East standings. Buffalo also lost ground in the wild-card race as it tries to end the longest postseason drought in North American sports at 17 seasons.
Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor was carted to the locker room with a knee injury early in the fourth quarter and did not return. Taylor completed 9-of-18 passes for 65 yards and an interception. He ran for 32 yards on three carries and was sacked three times.
Buffalo's last two first-round draft picks, White and defensive end Shaq Lawson, also left the game and did not return. Lawson was carted to the locker room in the third quarter with a knee injury.
White was evaluated for a head injury after intercepting Brady late in the fourth quarter. Gronkowski drove his shoulder as he lay face down on the turf after the whistle and was penalized for unnecessary roughness.
Rookie Nathan Peterman replaced Taylor and led the Bills to the 1-yard-line on his first series before turning the ball over on downs. Peterman finished 6 of 15 for 50 yards in three series.
LeSean McCoy had 93 of the Bills' 183 rushing yards.
New England took control of the game by scoring touchdowns on consecutive possessions to start the third quarter. Burkhead finished a 70-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown and found the end zone on a 14-yard run up the middle to cap a 78-yard march.
New England gained 212 yards in the first half, but could only manage three Stephen Gostkowski field goals (50, 31 and 39 yards) to build a 9-3 lead. The Patriots had scored at least 13 points in the first half of their previous 11 games.
Stephen Hauschka made a 49-yard field goal to put Buffalo on the board late in the second quarter. Defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Adolphus Washington each sacked Brady in the red zone to force field goals.
Buffalo drove deep into New England territory on its first series, but came up empty when Taylor threw an interception to Eric Lee at the 1-yard-line. The Patriots signed Lee from the Bills' practice squad on Nov. 21.
NOTES: Patriots C David Andrews returned to action after missing two games due to illness. RT Cameron Fleming started in place of Marcus Cannon (ankle). ... The Patriots were also without sack leader DE Trey Flowers (ribs). ... Bills LT Cordy Glenn (foot/ankle) missed his fourth straight game and WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee) his second. ... Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore returned to Buffalo for the first time since leaving the team in free agency during the offseason. The Bills drafted Gilmore with the 10th overall pick in 2012.
