NFL’s hot teams stay that way
Patriots continue to dominate, topping Bills 23-3
Rex Burkhead scored twice and the New England Patriots won their eighth straight in a 23-3 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, in an AFC East showdown overshadowed by injuries and cheap shots.
Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor had a towel draped over his head while being carted off the sideline with a left knee injury early in the fourth quarter.
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, meanwhile, was accused of making a dirty hit after piledriving shoulder-first into the back of the head of Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White, who was laying on the field after making an interception with 4:50 to go.
“That’s just dirty football,” the Bills’ Micah Hyde said.
“There’s nowhere in our game for that.”
White was dazed as he got up and was immediately escorted to the locker-room to be evaluated for a concussion.
The hit sparked a shoving match between Hyde and Patriots receiver Danny Amendola. Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes was so upset he was flagged for making contact with an official.
Gronkowski, Hyde and Amendola were penalized for unnecessary roughness. Gronkowski was apologetic after the game.
“I’m not in the business of that. It was a lot of frustration,” Gronkowski said.
“I just want to apologize to Tre’Davious White. I don’t really believe in those type of shots.”
Taylor’s status is uncertain. He would only nod “yes” when asked if he was all right while limping heavily on his left knee as he boarded a cart and was driven out of the stadium.
Running back LeSean McCoy was among several Bills players who said Taylor continued playing despite being hurt on the first series. “He was in pain. You could see it on his face, the expressions he was making,” McCoy said. “It shows you a true warrior.”
Tom Brady went 21 of 30 for 258 yards and an interception, while improving to 27-3 over Buffalo and breaking Brett Favre’s National Football League record for most wins by a quarterback against any one opponent. Favre had 26 wins over Detroit.
Taylor finished 9 of 18 for 65 yards and a costly interception on Buffalo’s opening possession with the Bills facing first-andgoal at the Patriots 6. Taylor double-pumped in the pocket before throwing a pass directly to linebacker Eric Lee at the goal-line.
The Bills managed four first downs and 102 yards of offence over their next six possessions before Taylor left the game.