Patriots Overcome Bills

After two heartbreaking loses to Arizona and Baltimore, Patriots fans can now breath a sigh of relief. The 52-28 victory over the Buffalo Bills showed the heart and the unwillingness of this team to give up.

Here is how the game transpired.

A 41-yard catch by Rob Gronkowski set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Stevan Ridley to give the Pats an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.  The Bills offense could not get anything going in the opening quarter mostly because of the strong play from the New England defense highlighted by a Jerod Mayo interception and two rookies, Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower, pressuring quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Patriots special teams struggled early with two missed field goals from Stephen Gostkowski, one from 49 and the other from 42 yards. With New England failing to put up points, the Bills capitalized on their rival’s misfortune. The Bills scored two touchdowns, both to tight end Scott Chandler, on consecutive drives to give the Bills a 14-7 lead. 

Following a Wes Welker fumble, it looked like Buffalo was poised to go into the half with a 21-7 lead, but Brandon Spikes delivered a devastating blow to Bills running back C.J. Spiller forcing him to fumble the ball. All-Pro defensive lineman Vince Wilfork recovered the fumble and New England trailed Buffalo 14-7 going into the half.

New England’s offense came out in the second half with a three and Buffalo  capitalized right away on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Donald Jones giving the Bills a 21-7lead.

With a 1-3 record staring the Patriots in the face, Tom Brady and company woke up and exploded for an 8-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by a touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead.

Five minutes later, Tom Brady scrambled four yards into the endzone for a touchdown, which finished yet another 8-play, 85-yard drive. This one ended up tying the game at 21 going into the fourth quarter.

Brady’s offense opened up the fourth quarter with a 26 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski giving New England a 28-21 lead for the first time in the second half.

After back-to-back turnovers by the Bills offense, Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden both found the endzone in just over a minute. The Patriots were now in a commanding 42-21 lead.

The Patriots looked towards the running game to produce all game and they did just that. Stevan Ridley and undrafted rookie, Brandon Bolden were outstanding, compiling 243 yards and three touchdowns on for 38 carries.

The Bills responded with a Brad Smith touchdown reception to make it 42-28 New England, but the Buffalo defense could not stop the Patriot train.

Brandon Lloyd earned his first touchdown in a Patriots uniform after a sensational full extension diving catch.

Stephen Gostkowski, who had missed two field goals early, did not miss on his final attempt giving his team an additional three points.

The New England Patriots came out victorious against the Buffalo Bills in a 52-28-comeback win.

Vince Wilfork said after the game on the comeback, "We kept our poise. We know coming here was going to be a tough game against a division team. The Buffalo Bills always play us tough, especially the first game," he said. "So we just kept our poise, stuck together, we didn't panic, and we just executed well and that's one of the things coming into this week was executing."

Bill Belichick’s team looked complete in every asset of the offensive game. Tom Brady ended the game with 340 yards in the air to go along with three touchdowns while the two running backs Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden ran for 106 and 137 yards respectively.

The defense still has a ways to go but after an outstanding second half of play, that should boost their confidence.

The confidence will be needed for next Sunday as the Patriots head back to Foxborough to square off against  Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.