The New England Patriots had four interceptions and also had five sacks Sunday afternoon, leading them to a 16-10 win over the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York in a battle of AFC East unbeatens.
New England (4-0) took an early 13-0 lead in the first quarter and then had to hold on. On the Patriots second possession Brandon Bolden scored on a four yard touchdown run to finish off a four play, 50 yard drive. Stephen Gostkowski though missed the extra point. After a three and out by the Buffalo (3-1) offense, punter Corey Bojorquez had his punt blocked by New Englands J.C. Jackson. The ball was scooped up by Matthew Slater who ran into the end zone from 11 yards out to extend the lead. It was Slaters first career touchdown.
Stephen Hauschka did get the Bills on the board with a 46 yard field goal in the second quarter, but just before the half would miss a 49 yard attempt wide left that could of cut the deficit to seven. Buffalo would march right down the field to begin the third quarter. Quarterback Josh Allen would connect on passes of 23 yards and 19 yards to TJ Yeldon, and 16 yards to Cole Beasley. Allen would finish off the drive on a 4th and goal with a quarterback keeper to cut the lead to 13-10. The score ended a streak of 18 quarters (4.5 games) without allowing an offensive touchdown for the Patriots defense. Gostkowski pushed it back to a six point lead later in the third with a 23 yard field goal. The fourth quarter saw five punts, three by New England and two by Buffalo. Jamie Collins intercepted backup Matt Barkley for the fourth interception by the defense on the day to wrap up the win as the Bills were driving inside the Patriots 40 yard line. Barkley had entered the game for Allen who was on the sideline after taking a helmet to helmet hit from Jonathan Jones earlier in the second half.
Tom Brady went 18-39 passing on the day, 150 yards, with no touchdowns and his first interception of the year in the win. Brady is now 16-2 against Buffalo in his career on the road, 31-3 overall. Sony Michel rushed 17 times for 63 yards, while James White made eight catches for 57 yards. Kyle Van Noy made eight tackles for the defense, including two sacks. Jackson had a big day with two interceptions including the first quarter punt block. Devin McCourty had another interception for a fourth straight game. Allen went 13-28, 153 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions in the loss. Barkley went 9-16, 127 yards, and one interception in relief of Allen. Frank Gore rushed 17 times for 109 yards, and Beasley caught seven passes for 75 yards. Tremaine Edmunds made 11 tackles to lead the defense.
New England hits the road again next Sunday when they travel to the nations capital to visit the Washington Redskins at 1 p.m. The Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) are now the only two unbeatens in the AFC also joining the San Francisco 49ers out of the NFC West as the only teams without a loss in the NFL.
