With Tom Brady stymied throughout most of the Patriots’ 23-3 win over the Buffalo Bills, the offensive load was literally carried by running backs Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — When times got tough on Sunday, the Patriots went to a lesser heralded offensive group to lead the way. With Tom Brady stymied throughout most of the Patriots’ 23-3 win over the Buffalo Bills, the offensive load was literally carried by running backs Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead.
Burkhead scored the Patriots only two touchdowns of the game and added 78 rushing yards on the ground. Lewis added 92 rushing yards as the run game helped the Patriots come out of Buffalo with a win.
“It was great. Those guys have been really running great all season,” Brady said. “It’s been a huge thing for our offense. I don’t think you can just count us dropping back 50-60 times to throw the ball. I think they really have to defend the running game. Our play actions come off of that … you’ve got to be able to do both and we were able to do both today.”
The Patriots run game has certainly stepped up of late. Last week, Lewis ran for a career-high 112 rushing yards. On Sunday, his 92 rushing yards were the third most of his career. One run, a 44-yarder, led to a Stephen Gostkowski field goal.
When asked how he was feeling, Lewis cracked a smile.
“The same way I look,” Lewis said. “I feel good. Just got to keep taking care of my body. Just got to keep being patient, keeping working hard every day in practice and trying to get better. Just got to keep making plays. Whenever I get the chance, get the ball in my hands, just got to protect it and keep making plays.”
Burkhead has been a great compliment to Lewis. He also runs hard and also has great hands. His 78 yards on Sunday were the second most of his career and his personal best this season. His two touchdowns in the second half helped the Patriots pull away from the Bills.
Burkhead thinks this run game will continue to be called upon down the stretch.
“Oh, it’s huge,” Burkhead said. “Because we know that’s what’s going to carry us later on in the season and in the next few games. You never know what the weather could be, especially this month and moving forward. It’s big for us, it helps our offense and like you said, any time we can established that it’s going to help us out.”
The boos started early for Stephon Gilmore on Sunday. As much as the frenzied Buffalo Bills stadium wanted to see this cornerback fail, he wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction.
The former Bills cornerback, in his first game back in Buffalo, had a string of stops in the end zone that not only quieted the local fan base, but stopped the Bills offense from potentially scoring their only touchdown.
Gilmore finished with three tackles and two pass deflections on Sunday.
“I’m not surprised,” Gilmore said of the boos aimed at him. “You know how it is, [they're] fans. Kind of feels some type of way that I’m on the Patriots. It’s all good.”
The Bills tried hard to give their fans what they wanted. Late in the fourth quarter, the Bills were in the red zone and attempted three passes in Gilmore’s direction in the end zone. One pass fell incomplete and the next two were deflected by the cornerback.
When faced with a fourth-and-1, from the 1-yard line, it was obvious that the Bills were trying to score on Gilmore as Nathan Peterson threw at him, again. Gilmore deflected that pass as more boos rained down.
“I mean, they threw it my way three-four times in the red zone,” Gilmore said. “I’m like, they really trying to score on me no matter how much they down. ... It felt good. But I wouldn’t have let them scored no matter what. I don’t care if we up 60. I wasn’t letting them score. That’s just how I am.”
Gilmore angered the Bills fan base this past summer when he said that they “hate winners” when asked why they disliked the Patriots. This offseason, it was clear that Gilmore was no longer in the Bills plans, but the Patriots signed him to a massive $65 million contract on the first day of free agency.
On Sunday, he said he didn’t have any extra motivation by returning to Buffalo.
“You know, that’s part of how it is. It is what it is,” Gilmore said. “I know what type of player I am. You know, they got a handle of whatever they got going and I’m happy over here where I’m at.”
Eric Lee’s past couple of weeks have been crazy enough to make his head spin. On Sunday, the only heads spinning were those of his former Buffalo Bills teammates.
In his second game with the Patriots, since being signed off Buffalo’s practice squad, Lee finished with 1.5 sacks and interception against his former teammates.
It’s been quite the ride for Lee, who went undrafted last year out of South Florida. After being signed by the Pats, he notched a sack in his first game last weekend against Miami. He now has 2.5 sacks in two games, which puts him fourth on the team.
He credits the success to the Patriots’ coaching staff.
“All the coaches, coach [Brendan Daly] to Joe Judge, everyone has me in the meeting room around the right people to ask questions,” Lee said. “Just trying to facilitate my transition as much as possible. Just that extra time, embracing the role. That was something I took to heart. Just being able to contribute isn’t enough. It’s about what you do prior. Just taking advantage of the opportunity.”
Lee has certainly taken advantage of his opportunity with the Patriots. On Sunday, he was called upon more so because Trey Flowers was out with a rib injury. Kyle Van Noy was also limited with a calf injury and didn’t play a whole lot. That left the Patriots relying on Lee and he performed well.
After making his first NFL sack last weekend, it didn’t take him long to nab his first interception, picking off Tyrod Taylor, on the 6-yard line, at 7:58 of the first.
“After I caught the ball, I couldn’t see any linemen, so that was unfortunate,” said Lee, who gained nine yards on the return.” I could see [Taylor’s] eyes. I didn’t think he was going to throw the ball. I was more exited I had the ball than anything.”
Mark Daniels writes for the Providence Journal of GateHouse Media.