Patriots’ defense has Brady’s back
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. >> On a day Tom Brady was far less than terrific, J.C. Jackson and New England’s defense bailed him out in securing the Patriots’ first 4-0 start in four years.
The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, dropped to 3-1 following a 16-10 loss on Sunday and were left fuming after starting quarterback Josh Allen was unable to finish the game following a helmet-to-helmet hit by Jonathan Jones.
“There is no room in football for that,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said and questioned why Jones wasn’t ejected.
It was a defensive slugfest between two AFC East rivals in a game the Patriots seemed ready to blow open by building a 13-0 lead after the first quarter.
Jackson had two of the Patriots’ four interceptions and also blocked a punt that led to Matthew Slater returning it 11 yards for a touchdown. Linebacker Jamie Collins sealed the victory by coming down with backup Matt Barkley’s interception with 1:27 remaining.
Linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who hit Barkley in forcing the interception, said the Patriots defense took exception to comments Bills tackle Dion Dawkins made earlier in the week. Dawkins told several reporters the Bills didn’t care what the Patriots had done in their first three games because they had yet to face Buffalo.
“Just wanted to make sure Dawkins knew who we were,” Van Noy said. “We’ve got really good football players. Maybe people will start noticing.”
New England entered having not allowed a touchdown rushing or passing, or a point in the first half. Both streaks ended with Stephen Hauschka hitting a 46-yard field goal with 1:55 left in the second quarter, and Allen diving over the pile for a 1-yard touchdown on fourthand-1 to cap Buffalo’s opening drive of the second half.
Brady finished 18 of 39 for 150 yards and an interception.
The Patriots’ 16 points were scored as a result of Bills miscues. Brandon Bolden scored on a 4-yard run after Devin McCourty intercepted Allen on Buffalo’s opening series. Stephen Gostkowski hit a 23-yard field goal set up by Jackson’s second interception.
Allen was knocked woozy and placed in the concussion protocol, leaving his status uncertain for Buffalo’s game at Tennessee next weekend.
The Bills were facing third-and-8 at the New England 45, when Allen scrambled out of the pocket and through a hole up the middle. Allen was struck in the crown of the helmet by Jones, who lowered his head to make the hit. Allen lay on the field for several minutes before hopping up on his own. He was evaluated on the sideline before being escorted up the tunnel.