Someone warn the British (or the rest of the AFC East), because the Patriots are back.
The Bills built a cushy 21-7 lead in the third quarter from a 68-yard touchdown pass from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to Donald Jones.
However, Brady and his fearless bunch responded with six straight touchdown drives. The 45 points they scored in the second half were the most in franchise history and allowed the Patriots to avoid a three-game losing streak and rack up 580 total yards (the fourth-most in team history).
Brady was 22 of 36 for 340 yards and three touchdowns, while also notching up a rushing touchdown through one graceful slide into the end zone. RB Stevan Ridley scored two touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker bounced back from first half fumbles and had 104 yards and 129 yards respectively. The ever-beautiful Gronk also recorded a touchdown:
The Bills defense couldn’t stop the run and only managed one sack all game. Once again, their big sign Mario Williams didn’t seem to be living up to his $100 million contract. The second-half Bills did keep up with the Patriots in one way though, breaking a franchise record for most points given up (since their loss to New England in 2007). Hey, just trying to make a 52-28 loss look positive here. In other weird record-breaking stats, Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first QB in Bills history to throw four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Like their offense, the Pats defense also showed up in the second half, forcing six turnovers and three sacks. Cornerback Devin McCourty came up big with two interceptions. The defense also held back Bills returning top running back Fred Jackson to just 29 yards rushing, while the lately-shinning C.J. Spiller was held to 33 yards rushing. Both Jackson and Spiller also fumbled, but unlike Gronk and Welker, didn’t have Bill Belichick’s magic to bring them back.
The 2-2 Patriots face the Broncos next week while the 2-2 Bills face the 49ers. The Bills and Patriots next square off on November 11th.
