FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — BILLS VS. PATRIOTS - GILLETTE STADIUM, FOXBORO, MA
FIRST QUARTER
The Bills defense comes up big forcing an early turnover. With New England driving and Rex Burkhead gaining what appeared to be a big chunk of yardage for New England, Jordan Poyer knocked the ball loose and Micah Hyde returned the fumble to the New England 31, but Allen and the offense have to settle for an early field goal and a 3-0 lead. The Patriots responded with an 11-play 75-yard TD drive. Tom Brady moving the ball methodically down the field gaining short chunks of yardage before finally hitting Matt LaCosse on an 8-yard TD to give New England a 7-3 lead.
SECOND QUARTER
The Bills defense allows the New England offense to continue establishing rythym and the trademark Tom Brady precision that comes with it. The pass rush was inconsistent at best, and Brady leads another methodical drive that ends with a field goal and a 10-3 lead. New England marched 81-yards in 17-plays with the Patriots announcing the 17-plays marks the third longest in the history of the franchise. The Bills defense comes up with a key stop on 4th and 1 near the end of the half giving the Bills the ball with :35 left in the half. Josh Allen was able to connect with Dawson Knox for a 34-yard gain down to the one-yard line. Dawson was correctly ruled as down just short of the end zone on the play. Allen connected with offensive lineman Dion Dawkins two plays later for a 1-yard TD tying the game 10-10 at the half.
THIRD QUARTER
The Bills go three and out to start the half. New England responds by putting together another scoring drive - this one 7-plays and 44-yards as Nick Folk connected on a 51-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 13-10 lead. The Bills respond by finding the end zone again. Josh Allen was under pressure and in the process of taking a hit, finds John Brown in stride for a 53-yard touchdown. Buffalo takes a 17-13 lead in the game.
PHOTOS: New England Patriots 24, Buffalo Bills 17
FOURTH QUARTER
The Patriots put together an 11-play 77-yard drive. They had a first and goal situation, but had to settle for a 20-yard FG from Nick Folk to cut the Buffalo lead to 17-16. Brady puts together another scoring drive - 7-plays and 59-yards capped by Rex Burkhead for a 1-yard TD and connecting with Julian Edelman for the 2-point conversion. New England took a 24-17 with 5:06 left in the game.
The Bills drive the field and come up short on downs after the Josh Allen pass was incomplete in the end zone on fourth and goal. The Bills lose to New England. 24-17. The Patriots win the AFC East for the 11th straight year.
