Patriots prevail over Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Devin McCourty returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown, and the New England Patriots’ defence smothered the Buffalo Bills’ anemic offence in a 25-6 win on Monday night.

James White scored on a one-yard run, and the Patriots relied more on Stephen Gostkowski’s leg than on Tom Brady’s arm for their fifth straight win, which improved their AFC East-leading record to 6-2.

Brady finished 29-of-45 for 324 yards, but was held without a touchdown pass for the first time this season.

Gostkowski hit 4-of-5 field-goal attempts, including two from 25 yards after drives stalled inside Buffalo’s 10.

“They made it tough on us,” Brady said. “We couldn’t get anything going in the red zone, not enough positive plays down there.”

McCourty sealed the win with 5:54 remaining by intercepting Derek Anderson’s pass over the middle intended for Charles Clay and taking it to the end zone.

Two plays before the pick, Bills tight end Jason Croom’s diving one-handed touchdown catch was negated following a video review. Replays showed Croom never had possession in attempting to make the 25-yard catch, which would have made it a one-score game.

McCourty’s interception also came after White scored to cap a 10-play, 85-yard drive to put New England ahead 18-6 with 9:58 left.

“I felt like once our offence got one in the end zone, it was big for us to go out there and try to get a stop,” McCourty said. “And it ended up being a turnover for a touchdown.”

Buffalo lost its third straight and dropped to 2-6 for its worst start since 2010.