After entering the locker room at half time up 14-0 the New England Patriots stumbled out of the gate. Not only did the team struggle on kickoff runbacks, it also turned the football over — an interception off a Tom Brady pass going through Rob Gronkowski’s hands — and allowed the Buffalo Bills to score on two consecutive drives to cut the Patriots’ lead to eight points.
However, New England replied in style thanks to Brady’s first touchdown pass of the day:
to the
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 23, 2018
(via @RotoStJournal) pic.twitter.com/Lj9XAiPS5A
On 4th and 4, the Patriots decided to keep their offense on the field and the call was a very good one: not only did the offense gain the four yards needed, it turned the play into its third touchdown of the day. Brady fired a short pass for Julian Edelman on an in-crossing route and the veteran wide receiver took the reception 32 yards to the end zone. On the way there, he was tackled but acrobatically did not touch the ground and keep going.
The very next possession saw the Patriots register a turnover inside the red zone when Jason McCourty forced a fumble that was recovered by Malcom Brown.