Sunday, January 1, 2012

Patriots overcome another big deficit to beat Bills

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Up by three scores is right where the Patriots want you.

After falling to a 21-0 deficit in the first quarter, the Patriots scored 49 straight points to blow out the Bills by 28. New England was down, 17-0, against the Dolphins last week before scoring 27 consecutive points to win.

The Patriots clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC in defeating one of only three teams to beat New England this season. Buffalo overcame a 21-point deficit of its own in Week 3 to beat the Patriots.

"We blew a 21-point lead in the first game and overcame a 21-point deficit today, so a good job by the players in battling back," Patriots coach Bill Belichick told the media after the game.

Quarterback Tom Brady threw for three touchdowns, and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis pitched in with a pair of rushing scores.

New England's defense picked off Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick four times. The Bills started the season 5-2 but went 1-8 to finish.

"That was, um, kinda like our season," Fitzpatrick told the media after the game.

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