Patriots slip past stubborn Bills
Buffalo was game but falls to New England, 16-10; QB Allen hurt on head-to-head hit and leaves game
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins forced Buffalo’s fourth turnover by intercepting backup Matt Barkley’s pass with 1:27 remaining to seal New England’s 16-10 win Sunday over the Buffalo Bills.
J.C. Jackson had two interceptions and blocked a punt, which was returned 11 yards by Matthew Slater for a touchdown. Brandon Bolden scored on a four-yard run in a defensive slugfest between previously unbeaten National Football League AFC East rivals.
New England is off to its first 4-0 start since 2015, and fifth time during Bill Belichick’s 20 seasons as coach.
The Bills (3-1) not only blew an opportunity to open a season with four straight wins for the first time since 2008, but now face questions at quarterback.
Barkley took over after starter Josh Allen sustained a head injury after being brought down by a helmet-to-helmet hit by Jonathan Jones in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Allen was briefly evaluated under a tent on the sideline before being escorted up the tunnel.
The game wasn’t decided until Buffalo’s final drive with Barkley facing third-and-nine at the New England 39.
Linebacker Kyle Van Noy applied the pressure by driving in from Barkley’s right, and got a hand on the quarterback’s chest. Barkley’s follow-through was affected causing the ball to pop into the air, which Collins easily secured. Though Tom Brady didn’t play much of a factor, he upped his career record to 31-3 against Buffalo — extending the NFL career mark for most victories by a quarterback against one opponent.
New England won its sixth straight against the Bills, and improved to 34-5 against Buffalo since the start of the 2000 season.
Scoring didn’t come easy in a game in which the teams combined for 14 punts.
Another key Patriots stop came on the drive Allen was hurt.
With Buffalo facing fourthand-goal from the two, Barkley threw a high pass that glanced off receiver Zay Jones’ fingertips five minutes into the fourth quarter.
New England’s 16 points all came off Bills turnovers.
Bolden scored after Allen threw his first interception. He was picked off by Devin McCourty after forcing a pass deep over the middle into double coverage.
Two series later, the Patriots went up 13-0 when Jackson was untouched coming off the right side to block Corey Bojorquez’s punt. The ball bounced into the hands of Slater, who ran in untouched.
New England was on the verge of running away with the game before Brady threw an interception facing third-and-goal from the 2 with under five minutes left in the second quarter. His pass intended for Julian Edelman was picked off by safety Micah Hyde.