Despite incessant struggles on the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots found themselves ahead, 24-17, after the first half of action in Foxboro.
The Patriots' opening drive of the half looked to be going well as they used both the run and the pass to take the ball inside Buffalo territory. However, Tom Brady would take a costly third down sack to take the team out of Stephen Gostkowski's field goal range.
After shutting down the Bills' offense on their next possession, the Patriots would take advantage of great starting field position and move the ball in to the endzone for another touchdown. It was Danny Woodhead who came through with an 18-yard catch-and-run for his second score of the day to extend the Patriots' lead to 31-17.
The Bills refused to go down easily, as their next drive would result in their third touchdown of the afternoon. Running back Fred Jackson would take it in from about two yards out and cut the New England lead to just seven, at 31-24, towards the end of the third quarter.