Image Credit: © David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
It was a historic night for the Buffalo Bills as they completely dismantled the New England Patriots 38-9. The win capped a Bills’ season sweep of the Patriots, the first since 1999.
Buffalo was led by quarterback Josh Allen, who completed 27-of-36 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns. Allen placed himself into the Buffalo record books breaking the franchise single-season touchdown passes mark. Allen has 34 scoring tosses passing Hall of Famer Jim Kelly for the franchise lead.
With the 320 passing yards, Allen also topped Drew Bledsoe’s franchise record of seven 300-yard passing games in a single season. Allen now has eight.
Buffalo had already clinched the AFC East with a win over Denver in Week 15. Now, the Bills can capture the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. Buffalo and Pittsburgh are both currently 12-3. The Bills host AFC East foe Miami next week and must win to secure the second seed. Buffalo holds the tiebreaker over Pittsburgh should the two teams end up tied after next week. The No. 2 seed guarantees Buffalo a Divisional Round home game.
The two teams traded field goals in the first quarter, and New England kept the game close with Cam Newton’s nine-yard run early in the second quarter. The run capped a nine-play, 90-yard New England drive. A missed extra point left the score 10-9 with 10:39 to play in the first half.
Then, it was all Buffalo.
Allen would lead a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Lee Smith. After a quick three-and-out by New England, Allen did it again, with a 50-yard touchdown pass to WR Stefon Diggs. Buffalo led 24-9 at the half.
Diggs, who leads the NFL in receptions and receiving yards, caught two more Allen touchdown passes in the second half. Diggs finished the game with nine catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns. With one game to play, the Buffalo star now has 120 receptions, 1,459 yards, and eight touchdowns.
The Buffalo defense was outstanding, putting the clamps on the Patriots offense after their only scoring drive. New England finished the game with just 201 yards of total offense. Newton, who was later replaced by backup Jarrett Stidham, went just 5-of-10 passing for a mere 34 yards. That is the fewest yards passing by a New England starting quarterback since 1993.
The Bills will face Miami in Week 17. Buffalo has won four straight over the Dolphins, including the first meeting this season. In the game, Allen threw for 417 yards and four touchdowns as Buffalo won 31-28.
BillsFans.com - Editorial Staff
