Patriots beat Bills, 23-21

05.03    

Robert Kraft signed an autograph for Matthew Gilbert, 12, of Buffalo before the season opener.



Robert Kraft signed an autograph for Matthew Gilbert, 12, of Buffalo before the season opener.


Robert Kraft signed an autograph for Matthew Gilbert, 12, of Buffalo before the season opener.


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Bills fans came dressed in all kinds of clothing.

Bills fans came dressed in all kinds of clothing.


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Cornerback Kyle Arrington wrapped up running back C.J. Spiller for a short gain.

Cornerback Kyle Arrington wrapped up running back C.J. Spiller for a short gain.


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Wide receiver Julian Edelman fought for yardage in the first half.

Wide receiver Julian Edelman fought for yardage in the first half.


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Edelman celebrated catching a touchdown pass in the first quarter.

Edelman celebrated catching a touchdown pass in the first quarter.


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The Bills' Da'Norris Searcy returned a fumble by Patriots running back Stevan Ridley for a touchdown in the second quarter.

The Bills' Da'Norris Searcy returned a fumble by Patriots running back Stevan Ridley for a touchdown in the second quarter.


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Ridley reacted after watching the replay of his fumble.

Ridley reacted after watching the replay of his fumble.


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He was benched after a fumble that the Bills recovered and returned for a 74-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

He was benched after a fumble that the Bills recovered and returned for a 74-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.


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Tight end Zach Sudfeld couldn't hold onto a pass from Brady, resulting in an interception by Bills defensive back Justin Rogers (left).

Tight end Zach Sudfeld couldn't hold onto a pass from Brady, resulting in an interception by Bills defensive back Justin Rogers (left).


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Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson pulled in a touchdown pass to give Buffalo a 21-17 lead at the start of the third quarter.

Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson pulled in a touchdown pass to give Buffalo a 21-17 lead at the start of the third quarter.


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Brady took a hit from defensive tackle Kyle Williams in the fourth quarter.

Brady took a hit from defensive tackle Kyle Williams in the fourth quarter.


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Wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins pulled in a pass at Buffalo's 2-yard line, but the Patriots' drive was short-circuited when Brady fumbled shortly after.

Wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins pulled in a pass at Buffalo's 2-yard line, but the Patriots' drive was short-circuited when Brady fumbled shortly after.


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Brady fumbled the ball on a fourth-and-one play.

Brady fumbled the ball on a fourth-and-one play.


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Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso recovered Brady's fumble.

Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso recovered Brady's fumble.


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Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talked to his defense on the sidelines.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talked to his defense on the sidelines.


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The Patriots struggled against the Bills.

The Patriots struggled against the Bills.


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Brady handed off to running back Shane Vereen in the third quarter.

Brady handed off to running back Shane Vereen in the third quarter.


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Tackle Nate Solder provided a block on defensive back Jim Leonard as Vereen fought for extra yardage in the fourth quarter.

Tackle Nate Solder provided a block on defensive back Jim Leonard as Vereen fought for extra yardage in the fourth quarter.


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Vereen made sure that the Bills' Alan Branch knew his run was good for a first down in the final game-winning drive.

Vereen made sure that the Bills' Alan Branch knew his run was good for a first down in the final game-winning drive.


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Wide receiver Danny Amendola looked for running room after a catch-and-run on the final game-winning drive.

Wide receiver Danny Amendola looked for running room after a catch-and-run on the final game-winning drive.


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Amendola made the reception for a 10-yard gain.

Amendola made the reception for a 10-yard gain.


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Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 35-yard game-winning field goal with nine seconds on the clock. The Patriots won, 23-21.

Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 35-yard game-winning field goal with nine seconds on the clock. The Patriots won, 23-21.


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Bills head coach Doug Marrone and Belichick shook hands at the end of the game.

Bills head coach Doug Marrone and Belichick shook hands at the end of the game.


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Belichick and his team headed off the field after taking a narrow win in the season opener.

Belichick and his team headed off the field after taking a narrow win in the season opener.


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