Patriots 17 - Bills 10
Phew. GB gave me absolutely everything I could handle filling in for the Bills, this one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and wasn't decided until the final minute. The Bills took an early lead with a 71 yard TD run for Fred Jackson after he broke a tackle in the backfield. The Patriots responded in the 2nd with a Brady 3 yard pass to Hernandez. The teams exchanged field goals in the 2nd half until BenJarvus Green-Ellis broke loose for an 18 yard FG with 1:04 left to take the lead. On the first play of the ensuing possession, Ras-I Dowling picked off Fitzpatrick to ice the game.
Tom Brady was 11 of 18 for 122 yards and a TD
Fitzpatrick had a tough time all day against the Pats' pass D (as most have this year), going 4 of 14 for 49 yards and a Pick
Fred Jackson went wild, carrying 16 times for 124 yards and a score. Spiller also added 7 carriers for 34 yards. The Pats' run D had played better of late, but this game showed that it remains a concern.
AP couldn't get much going, gaining only 60 yards on his 16 carries. Green-Ellis was far more effective, carrying 7 times for 55 yards and the winning score. Despite the big name at the top of the roster, this backfield has consistently been a 2-to-1 timeshare, and that will probably continue in the playoffs.
Rob Gronkowski was the only receiver with a big day, catching 6 balls for 74 yards (it seemed like all of them were 3rd or 4th down conversions).
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gg GB! You definitely had me scared that entire game, and you played exactly how every sub should: To win. That could have easily gone either way. Ubernes should be proud of the effort you gave and send you Revis anyway!
With that, the Patriots wrap up the #2 seed in the AFC, and perhaps more importantly came out of the game without suffering a single injury despite needing to play the starters all game. Time to rest up and wait to see who I'm playing in the Divisional Round!