The Buffalo Bills have beaten the New England Patriots 17-9 to finish the 2014 regular season with a win over their AFC East rivals.
© Getty Images
Sammy Watkins hauled in a big catch early on to get the Bills into a strong field position, setting up Kyle Orton to complete a touchdown pass to Robert Woods on the next play.
The Patriots, who were already assured of a playoff bye week going into this game, were missing a number of starters, leaving Tom Brady short of receivers, so Stephen Gostkowski got New England on the board with a field goal.
Buffalo extended their lead further when Fred Jackson battled towards the endzone, before Anthony Dixon carried it in from a yard out.
Gostkowski added another three points before half time, while Dan Carpenter also came on for the Bills to leave them 11 points up at the break.
The Patriots decided to rest Brady in the second half, leaving rookie Jimmy Garoppolo to lead the offense, but he was unable to find Michael Hoomanawanui for New England's first touchdown, leaving Gostkowski to kick again.
The Patriots tried to push for a late touchdown, but the Bills held them short of fourth down with less than a minute to go.
The win is the Bills' first at the Patriots' Gillette stadium, and ensures that Buffalo end the season with a winning record for the first time since 2004, leaving them second in the AFC East.
Despite the loss, the Patriots had already clinched the top seed spot in the AFC, and have a bye from the wildcard round of the playoffs.
