5 Takeaways From the Patriots 20-13 Win Over Buffalo
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
5 Takeaways From the Patriots 20-13 Win Over Buffalo
"Always a hard-fought division game with Buffalo, but always good to win in the division, always good to beat Buffalo. I didn't think that was our best. I think we need to do a better job of coaching, do a better job of playing. But we made enough plays and we got some big plays from special teams, got some big plays defensively," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the game.
See the Five Takeaways Sllideshow Below
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTA Dan Carpenter field goal tied the game at ten early in the third quarter. From that point, the Patriots scored ten straight points starting with a James White six yard run for a touchdown and then a Gostowski kick.
The Bills kicked a field goal to make it a one score game with 3:30 seconds left but did not any closer.
The Leaders
Tom Brady went 20 of 39 for 377 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the game. Brady was only sacked once but was hit numerous times.
Danny Amendola caught nine passes for 117 yards but left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.
Next up
The Patriots return to action on Sunday, November 29th on the road against the Denver Broncos. Kick off is set for 8:25 p.m. Peyton Manning is not expected to play.
For more on this game, see the five takeaways slideshow below.
5 Takeaways From the Patriots 20-13 Win Over Buffalo
Rob Gronkowski
As mentioned in the game preview, teams will be paying much more attention to Rob Gronkowski this season with Edelman out and it started in this game.
Rob Gronkowski was really a non factor, registering only two catches for 37 yards in the game.
The Bills put multiple defenders on him and would often hit him as he came off the line of scrimmage to slow hime down.
Malcolm Butler
Darrelle Revis who?
Malcolm Butler continues to take some of the best receivers in the game and shut them down.
In the case of Buffalow, Butler was on Sammy Watkins for just about the entire game and held him to only three receptions for 39 yards.
Defense
The Patriots defense saved the game for New England.
New England's defense held the Bills to only 3 of 15 on third down and held the Bills running game, one of the best in the league, to only 94 yards rushing.
The Patriots registered three sacks in the game.
Danny Amendola
Danny Amendola's role in the absence of Julian Edelman was going to increase and it did in this game.
Amendola had 9 catches on 12 targets for 112 yards in the game.
However, Amendola went out in the third quarter with a leg injury and did not return to the game.
Aaron Dobson also went out early in the game and by the time the fourth quarter started, the Patriots were down to only two receivers.
Offensive line
David Andrews started the game at center but was replaced by Stork in the second quarter after penalties.
Andrews returned to the game in the fourth quarter but not at the center position.
The O-line struggled for a second game in a row and in this game, they nearly got Tom Brady killed at times. Brady was pressured about 19 times and he was hit about 15 times.
With Marcus Cannon and Sebastian Vollmer returning to this game, hopefully the O-line will get better as the weeks go on.
