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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Adam Vinatieri had never seen
conditions this bad, even back home in South Dakota.
Nearly blinded by driving snow, heavy winds and hampered by a
slick field, Vinatieri found enough solid footing to kick a 24-yard
field goal with 19 seconds left in overtime, lifting New England to
a 13-10 win over Buffalo on Sunday.
|  | | Pats kicker Adam Vinatieri had missed seven of his last 11 previous attempts in Buffalo before hitting the game-winner in OT on Sunday. |
"I've played in snow and I've played in wind, but to have snow,
wind and everything going at the same time, it was pretty tough,"
Vinatieri said.
It was sweet redemption for Vinatieri, who missed seven of 11
previous field-goal attempts at Buffalo, including a 27-yarder at
the end of regulation.
"Whenever you come to Buffalo. You've got to come to expect
some crummy weather, especially at the end of the season," he
said. "I'm just happy that I have to play here once a year."
Vinatieri then offered a solution to playing at Ralph Wilson
Stadium.
"I think they just need to dome it," he said, laughing.
It was a sloppy game played in miserable conditions featuring 40
mph winds and wind-chill temperatures approaching zero. Conditions
were so poor that by overtime, most of the field was blanketed in
snow, covering most of the yard lines. The Patriots (5-10) didn't
return to Boston until after 10 p.m. because Buffalo's airport was
closed due to the storm.
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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Question on the Patriots: What will this late-season run mean to the
Patriots next year?
Donahoe: The Patriots have been involved in lots of close games this
season and have usually come up short. You have to admire their persistence
under some very difficult conditions. The ability to win close games is
critical in the NFL. Most games come down to the last quarter and often are
decided by a touchdown or less. If the Patriots had come up with some key
plays here and there earlier in the season, they might be in the playoff
hunt right now. But anytime you can win some games at the end of the season,
it does a lot for your confidence as you head for the offseason.
Question on the Bills: What can Rob
Johnson do to stay healthy for a change?
Donahoe: One of the biggest knocks on Johnson has been his
durability. He seems to have a tough time playing for long stretches without
getting injured. Today he suffered a concussion. To list his injuries would
take more room than we have allotted in this space. Rob is a talented young
quarterback who lacks experience and seems to struggle when pressured. He
must develop a better feel for the pass rush and find a way to stay healthy
if he wants to be a consistent quarterback in this league.
Tom Donahoe, ESPN.com's NFL analyst, was formerly the Steelers' director
of football operations.
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Patriots' Drew Bledsoe finished 13-for-26 for 156 yards and 331
yards of total offense.
He capped his 19th career fourth quarter-overtime comeback by
marching the Patriots 83 yards on 14 plays to set up Vinatieri's
game-winner.
"I've kind of always enjoyed the changeup," Bledsoe said,
referring to the changing weather conditions. "It changes the way
you do things, and a lot of times it comes down to the team that
can manage the game best ultimately wins it."
The key, Bledsoe said, was the Patriots' ability to adjust when
the weather turned extreme.
"We scrapped about half of our game-plan throwing wise, and
changed some things in our running game, because we didn't want to
toss the ball in this wind," he said.
J.R. Redmond led the Patriots with 66 yards rushing before
leaving the game in the third quarter with a right knee injury.
Kevin Faulk tied the game at 10 when he rumbled in for a 13-yard
score 4:45 left in regulation.
The Bills were undone by blown scoring opportunities.
Three times, Doug Flutie marched Buffalo inside the Patriots 12,
only to come up empty.
Steve Christie had two field goals blocked, including a
30-yarder by defensive tackle Chad Eaton with six minutes left in
overtime, while Flutie fumbled, mishandling a handoff to Antowain
Smith, at the New England 1 -- the game's lone turnover.
"You can't take anything for granted," said Flutie, who played
in similar conditions during his years in the Canadian Football
League. "I felt like we controlled the entire game."
Flutie took over for Rob Johnson, who was knocked out with a
concussion in the second quarter. It might have been Flutie's final
home game for the Bills.
Flutie finished 15-for-25 for 193 yards, including a 1-yard
touchdown pass to Sheldon Jackson.
Bills coach Wade Phillips didn't know the extent of Johnson's
concussion. Johnson was hurt when he was driven head first into the
turf by defensive end Greg Spires.
It was the fifth time in 11 starts that Johnson was knocked out
of a game this season.
The Bills (7-8) have now lost four straight for the first time
since losing six in a row in 1985.
Christie kicked a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter,
tying the score 3-3 after Vinatieri hit a 22-yarder in the first
period.
The Patriots finished 2-6 on the road as they prepare for next
weekend's season finale, when they play host to Miami.
"I know we aren't going to the playoffs this year," Pats coach
Bill Belichick said. "But when you walk in the locker room, you
can see this game meant a lot to these players."
Game notes
Eaton had a monster game with 12 unassisted tackles and two
sacks in addition to the blocked field goal. ... Lee Johnson of the
Patriots finished with seven punts, becoming the NFL's career
leader with 1,159. He broke Dave Jennings' record of 1,154.
Curiously, Johnson had to wait to set the mark after fumbling the
snap on his third punt of the game. ... Eric Moulds had two catches
for Buffalo to give him 90 on the season, tying the franchise
record set by Andre Reed in 1994. ... Buffalo finished with a 5-3
home record, the 14th straight season they've finished .500 or
above at Orchard Park.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
New England Clubhouse
Buffalo Clubhouse
Bills' Johnson knocked out with concussion vs. Pats
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Drew Bledsoe Official Site
Doug Flutie Official Site
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