Notebook: Dion Lewis powers Patriots' running game with career day vs. Bills

FOXBOROUGH — It was another banner day for Dion Lewis, who continues to be one of the most effective backs in the NFL over the second half of the 2017 season. The veteran, who is in the midst of the most productive year of his career, hit career highs in carries (24) and rushing yards (129) Sunday against the Bills, all while picking up a pair of rushing touchdowns.



Without James White and Rex Burkhead in the lineup, more was put on Lewis’ shoulders, and the undersized back responded.

“We've just got to do what we got to do for the team,” Lewis shrugged. “I just had to take on a little bit bigger of a role than I usually have (had) all year, and I embrace(d) it. I love to play and love to get the ball. When you get opportunities like that you just got to make the most of them.

"I know we had James and Rex out today, so I was just prepared for anything. I prepare every week the same no matter if I think I’m getting (the ball) a lot or if I’m going to get (the ball) a lot. I just prepare the same way, and it helps me be ready for moments like this.”

The 27-year-old Lewis leads the team with 803 rushing yards, his 5.2 yards per carry is tops on the team among regular running backs, and his five rushing touchdowns are also tied for best on the team. While the Patriots figure to get Burkhead and White back for the postseason, Lewis' work has been a sizable part of the success of the New England offense this year.

“All of our backs are … they’re all good backs,” said right guard Shaq Mason. “But the way Dion runs the ball, he’s a special runner. We’re blessed to have him.”

“He's an unbelievable player,” said Rob Gronkowski. “He's a beast for his size. I look up to him. The way he plays, the way he doesn't let people take him down inspires me because I'm like, ‘If that guy can do that, why can't I be able to break tackles like that?’”

Garoppolo helps Pats land first-round bye

Thanks to Jimmy Garoppolo and the Niners’ win over Jacksonville, the Patriots were able to clinch a first-round bye because of San Francisco's 44-33 win over the third-seeded Jags. The victory assures New England it’ll be one of the top two seeds in the AFC for the postseason. If the Texans knock off the Steelers on Monday afternoon, the Patriots will be able to wrap up the top seed in the AFC. If that doesn’t happen, New England will have that opportunity next weekend against the Jets.

Pats make it an even dozen

The Patriots have now won at least 12 games for an NFL-record eighth straight season. It’s the 12thntime in team history New England has won at least 12 games in a season. It’s also the most 12-win seasons for any starting quarterback in NFL history. “That’s pretty cool,” Tom Brady said when asked about the team reaching the milestone. “We have a lot of goals, and we’re trying to win every time (we’re) out and sometimes it looks great and sometimes it doesn’t. The goal is to win. We’ve played some good teams and we played a good second half, so I was really happy with that.” … After a rough start, it was a good finish for the defense and Malcom Brown in particular, who had a sack and tackle for loss. The third-quarter sack, which came with the game tied at 16, was a big moment, according to Bill Belichick. “That was a huge play for us. Buffalo had had a lot of success throughout the game on the first play of their drive – the drive starter,” Belichick said. “That was another bootleg and we played it better and Malcom made a good play to trip Taylor up. That put them in long yardage. Then we got the punt. Then we were able to convert the score there, so it was a good complementary series with our defense, special teams, offense.” … Mike Gillislee was active and played for the first time since Week 8 vs. the Chargers on Oct. 29. He scored his first touchdown since Week 2 against the Saints. And defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois made his first start as a member of the Patriots. … Kicker Stephen Gostkowski kicked three field goals (from 21, 40 and 34 yards) to push his 2017 total to 36 field goals. His career-high is 38 field goals in 2013.