ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Everything you need to know about the Patriots' win over the Bills at New Era Field, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Patriots ride Gronk, run from sluggish to rout: Patriots had some struggles sustaining drives in the first half against the Bills as they only managed three field goals, but still outgained the Bills 212-153 and averaged 6.2 yards per play. They turned that around to start the second half by scoring two touchdowns on their first two possession. Rob Gronkowski had four catches for 80 yards on the two drives, including a sensational 30-yard over the back of a Bills defender. Patriots ran eight times for 49 yards on those two drives as well.
Defense stands out again: The Bills aren't exactly the most dynamic offense in the league, and they had some moments against the Patriots. But when it mattered most, the Patriots defense buckled down. The Bills were 0-for-2 — and got no points — in goal-to-go situations, especially on the opening drive when Eric Lee picked off Tyrod Taylor in the end zone. The Patriots have now allowed 11.9 points per game since the Week 4 loss to the Panthers.
DEEP in Patriots territory... Tyrod Taylor's pass is PICKED off. #NEvsBUF pic.twitter.com/ooU5SO1feL
— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2017
TURNING POINT
With the Patriots leading 16-3 and driving, James White caught a short, 4-yard pass from Brady on 3rd-and-10 with two Bills defenders in front of him. He made Preston Brown miss, then eluded Jordan Poyer enough to pick up the first down. Because of White's individual effort, the Patriots went from attempting a long field goal and keeping the Bills in the game, to scoring a touchdown and putting the game out of reach.
SECOND GUESS
A couple for Bills coach Sean McDermott:
- Challenging that Brady was down on a pass attempt early in the second quarter. It was obvious Brady tripped over his teammate and wasn't touched by a defender.
- McDermott not challenging the spot on the White play mentioned above. He looked short. Maybe the Patriots decide to go for it and you stop them. Different ballgame.
- The double standard on calling holding and PI on Gronkowski. Just because he's big doesn't mean people can grab him at will.
- Not ejecting Gronkowski. The whole conversation about Gronkowski possibly being suspended wouldn't be happening if the officials had done the right thing and ejected Gronkowski. It would have been timed served and we could all move on.
- Was there really any need to throw the ball to Gronkowski three times with under eight minutes left in a 23-3 game when everyone knew the Bills couldn't score? Gronkowski shouldn't have been in the game when he let his frustrations go. Jacob Hollister could use a lot more reps.
THREE UP
Rob Gronkowski: Set aside the late-game theatrics (and three other penalties) and Gronkowski was the best player on the field in this game with nine catches on 11 targets and 147 yards. The Bills didn't seem to pay him much extra attention and, in the second half at least, the Patriots burned them because of that.
Stephon Gilmore: The former Bills cornerback was targeted a half dozen times by his former team — including three times in the end zone in the waning moments — and he gave up virtually nothing. Last week was his best game of the season, and now it looks like he's stacking success.
Cam Fleming: I'm sure this might look a little different after little closer study and it looked like he got a lot of help, but you gotta give Fleming some credit. Gets his first start of the season as the third right tackle and wasn't the huge weakness everyone expected him to be.
THREE DOWN
Joe Thuney: The left guard gave up two of the three sacks of Brady by the Bills, and he wasn't all that competitive on either play.
Tyrod Taylor: Hoping the ankle injury he sustained on the first play of the game was really bad, because at least it would be an excuse for how awful he was when he had to throw from the pocket for the balance of the game.
Elandon Roberts/Deatrich Wise: The Patriots had a tough time stopping LeSean McCoy (6.2 average) and both quarterbacks (Taylor 10.7 and wildcat Joe Webb, 9.0) and it looked like Roberts (inside) and Wise (edge) each had issues when it came time to containing the run.
INJURIES
Patrick Chung (hand): Returned to the game and seemed fine in the locker room.
Kyle Van Noy (calf): Saw his playing time cut due to a gimpy ankle and he seemed to reaggravate it on a shared sack. Said he was fine after the game.
TOP PLAYS
Big conversion, big-time catch by Amendola
Lewis career-long rush
Burkhead career-long rush
Burkhead TD #2
THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
Rob Gronkowski will not be suspended: There's a chance that this could be announced as a one-game suspension — spotless record and an apology or not, he intentionally tried to injure another player and there's no place for that in the game — but I could see it being reduced on appeal because Gronkowski will show total remorse. That's usually good enough for the NFL.
Mike Gillislee will lead the Patriots in rushing in Weeks 16 and 17: The former Bills running back was a healthy scratch for the fourth-straight game. It's not all his fault — the Patriots have settled into nice backfield roles and the Patriots are carrying six injured players — because a lot of it is just a numbers game. If Brandon Bolden is going to be up for special teams, you can only have so many RBs active (James White is barely getting time). But when the Patriots have things wrapped up, Gillislee will be allowed to tee off against his former team and the Jets to end the season.
Steelers will lose before Patriots showdown: Either on Monday night (Bengals) or next Sunday night (Ravens), Pittsburgh will drop a game (or both) before hosting the Patriots on Dec. 17. If the Steelers lose one, that makes the Patriots game a must-win for the Steelers to get home-field advantage in the postseason. The Patriots may lose one game (doubt) down the stretch, but they're certainly not losing two.