Posted by Mike Petraglia

In the words of Sonny and Cher, the beat goes on for the New England Patriots. (Somewhere, my bosses are shaking their heads at that one). But I digress.

It really doesn’t matter if Tom Brady or Matt Cassel is running the team. If you are as deadly efficient as the Patriots were in the second half protecting the ball, you’re going to win. That is why Bill Belichick was sooo “proud” (read: happy) with his team following a 20-10 dismantling of the Buffalo Bills to keep a piece of first place in the AFC East with the New York Jets.

Here’s what to take from Sunday’s win.

1. The offensive line imposed its will when it mattered. Two drives determined the game, a 13-play march that consumed 6:49 to begin the second half and the 19-play drive that demoralized the Bills at the end of the fourth quarter.

2. Matt Cassel is getting better and better. This is sounding like a broken record but one that is music to Bill Belichick’s ears. When the middle of the Bills defense parted like the Red Sea, Cassel took off for a 13-yard TD run up the middle. The Patriots never lost control of the game after.

3. The Patriots had their best game of the year stopping the run. Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson combined for just 18 carries and 60 yards on the day. The fact that neither of them touched the ball on several third and short chances in the first half spoke volumes to the job that Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour and Ty Warren did plugging holes and not allowing cutbacks.

4. Wes Welker is giving Kevin Faulk a run for his money when it comes to team MVP talk. Welker had season- highs in catches (10) and yards (107). Don’t forget BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who was pivotal in the 19-play drive. He earned his first career 100-yard game, gaining 105 yards on 26 carries and the clinching TD late in the fourth.

5. The Patriots began a critical stretch of three games against AFC East rivals playing like they know the leaves have already turned. Here comes Manginius on Thursday night as the Patriots welcome the Jets and honor Troy Brown.

FINAL CUTS:

Richard Seymour said it was important to keep Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson in check.

Seymour said playing keep away was huge.

Lee Evans said mistakes cost the Bills big.

Evans said you have to hand it to the Pats.

Tedy Bruschi: “It’s getting down to crunch time now. It’s mid-November and it’s a race for the AFC East title. This is the way the rest of the games are going to be. They are going go down to the fourth quarter. The Jets, Bills, Dolphins, and everyone else are tough and it’s going to be like this from here on out.”

Wes Welker: “This is a big win. It was for first place in the division for now and we’ve got a big one this next week on Thursday night coming up pretty quick. So, we have to be ready to go. Any time you can finish out the game on offense, it’s huge, especially when you’ve got that much time left in the fourth quarter.”

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: “I knew we were out there. I was just having fun. That’s what we like to do, just pound the ball. We just executed our game plan, offensive line, tight ends, fullbacks, even Matt on some plays was alert (to run).”

Bill Belichick: “I was really proud of the way our team held up there today. I thought defensively, we played a pretty solid game. Offensively, overall, I thought that last drive was awesome and it took a lot of time off the clock and we wound up getting seven points. It was good time management and real good execution when we needed it.”

Matt Cassel: “Josh McDaniels did a great job of mixing up the personnel. It’s just kind of a feel. You see the defense and what they’re running and react to it.”

What were your thoughts on the game? Let us know. Email Trags

Posted by Mike Petraglia

BenJarvus Green-Ellis celebrated his first career 100-yard game by running in from one yard out for a touchdown, putting New England up, 20-3. Green-Ellis has four TDs in his last four games.

Matt Cassel just fumbled, giving the Bills the ball at their 44 as the Pats looked to be going in for a score to salt the game away. 11:30 to go.

Wes Welker caught a pass early in the third quarter, making him the first player in NFL history to have at least six catches in his first nine games. Randy Moss got tangled up trying to make a deep catch at Buffalo 20 and came off limping. He did return. He has been nursing a sore foot in practice. Steve Gostkowski ended a 13-play drive opening the second half by nailing a 37-yard field goal to make it 13-3.

Keep an eye on the special teams in this one… Brian Moorman just drilled a picture-perct punt, pinning the Patriots at their own 3, before two runs and Matt Cassel taking a knee before halftime.

Steve Gostkowski missed wide left from 49 yards, his first FG miss since Oct. 12 against San Diego-a streak of nine in a row, including one from 32 yards earlier today.

Bill Belichick stressed special teams this week against Buffalo and the Pats committed a big boo-boo when Gostkowski kicked off out of bounds following his field goal.  A couple of Trent Edwards-to-Roscoe Parrish hook-ups later, Rian Lindell drilled a 25-yard field goal to make it 10-3. Keep an eye on Adalius Thomas as he left with an arm injury and his return is questionable.

Ellis Hobbs just picked off Trent Edwards on a pass intended for Lee Evans, setting up the Patriots at the Bills 34. The Patriots have owned the first quarter. Randy Moss and Wes Welker each have three grabs apiece. The drive ended with a 32 yard boot by Steve Gostkowski, making it 10-0.

Cassel called his own number on a quarterback draw when the middle of the Bills defense opened up and rambled 13 yards for a touchdown. The key play was on the first play of the drive. Buffalo free safety Ko Simpson was called for unneccessary roughness for a hit near the head of Moss.

Posted by Mike Petraglia

Sitting here in the red level of the press box some three hours before kickoff here are some things to consider…

It will be a beautiful, crisp fall afternoon. Forecast from The Weather Channel is calling for sun, 56 degrees and a moderate breeze at 12 mph out of the southwest for the 1 p.m. kickoff.

A call to all signal callers.

Who would have thought back in August that today’s quarterbacks issue of the Patriots GAMEDAY program (Patriots Yesterday, Today, Forever) would have featured Babe Parilli, Steve Grogan and Matt Cassel while No. 12 is reportedly back in Boston walking the dog and rehabbing.

in honor of Veterans Day on Tuesday, the Patriots will have several activities today before the game, including Honorary Captains consisting of two military war veterans who are receiving treatment at a Boston hospital. Sean Bannon from Winthrop will represent the Pats while James Hackemer (Gowanda, NY) representing the Bills.

The National Anthem will be performed by Michelle Harris, a vocalist of the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty.

There will be a flyover from Blackhawk helicopters and the Patriots will honor one of their own, George Boyajian, a 22-year employee and veteran of World War II and the Korean War.