The New England Patriots have beaten the Buffalo Bills to secure a first-round AFC bye.
Stephen Gostkowski kicked the Pats ahead after five minutes of the first quarter, but Dan Carpenter replied with a 51-yard field goal to level things up.
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However, another goal from Gostkowski saw the home side lead by three points heading into the second quarter.
LeGarrette Blount stretched the advantage for Bill Belichick's team with a 36-yard run early in the second quarter, before Gostkowski split the posts once again before the break.
The Bills edged their way back into the match just before the end of the third quarter when T.J. Graham reached a Thaddeus Lewis pass for the touchdown.
Shane Vereen added another touchdown for the Pats, but Fred Jackson showed that the Bills were not out of it with a five-yard run to reach the endzone.
However, Gostkowski then got another field goal to give the Pats some breathing space.
Carpenter kept the Bills interested with another field goal, but the win was confirmed for New England when Blount went on a powerful run to force his way over.
Gary Peters
