Allen propels Bills to first division win

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Buffalo Bills had done everything this season except earn a victory in their division.

They’re hoping their first will be the one that helps put them back on the path to winning it again.

Josh Allen was 22 of 33 for 223 yards with two touchdown passes as the Bills beat the New England Patriots 24-10 on Thursday night for their first AFC East win of the season.

Devin Singletary had a 1-yard touchdown run to help the Bills (9-3) win their third straight and take a half-game lead in the division over Miami. Buffalo had been 0-2 against division foes.

“We know these games that are coming up; they matter,” Allen said. “The ones in December and January, they matter. We’ve got to find ways to go win some football games.”

Including the playoffs last season, the Bills have won their past three meetings with New England (6-6).

Despite playing without top pass rusher Von Miller, who was placed on injured reserve Thursday after suffering a knee injury in a Thanksgiving win over Detroit, Buffalo’s defense held the Patriots to three points over the final three quarters.