By Tim Graham
Quick highlights from the Buffalo Bills' humbling 52-28 loss to the New England Patriots in Ralph Wilson Stadium ...
What it means: The Bills had an opportunity to force some distance from the Patriots in the AFC East standings but failed despite leading by 14 points in the third quarter. Both teams are 2-2. The Bills are 0-2 in the division and have surrendered 100 points in those losses.
Jackson and Spiller both play, fumble: Bills running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller came back from injuries and split the workload, alternating possessions. Jackson rushed 13 times for 29 yards and had three catches for 50 yards. Spiller ran for 33 yards and had two catches for 5 yards. Each lost a fumble.
Star of the game: Tom Brady was his usual, surgical self. He was 22 of 36 for 340 yards and three touchdowns plus a rushing touchdown.
Play of the day: Buffalo had a chance to go up 21-7 right before halftime. With the ball on New England's 4-yard line, Ryan Fitzpatrick took the shotgun snap and handed off to Spiller for an up-the-middle run. Spiller fumbled. New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork recovered.
Tight end showdown: Scott Chandler out-tight-ended local boy Rob Gronkowski for most of the game. Chandler had four receptions for 62 yards and two terrific touchdown catches amid traffic in the end zone. Gronkowski shook off a first-half fumble (which the Bills converted with a Chandler touchdown) and finished with five for 104 yards and a 28-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 28-21 lead.
Stat line of the game: Undrafted rookie running back Brandon Bolden was a revelation. He came into the game with 15 career yards. He rushed 16 times for 137 yards and a touchdown.
Preliminary injury report: Bills offensive linemen Cordy Glenn and Kraig Urbik left the game and didn't return. Glenn went down in the third quarter. Urbik had a right ankle injury in the first half. ... Bills safety Jairus Byrd came out of the game at the end of the third quarter with a hip injury. ... Bills receiver Donald Jones and Chandler each left the game early in the fourth quarter with head injuries.
Coming up: The Bills will begin a two-game Western trip with a game next Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in Candlestick Park and then play the Arizona Cardinals in Week Six.
