Best Of Social Media: Week 13 Patriots vs Bills

The New England Patriots entered their week 13 matchup with the Buffalo Bills seeking to get one step closer to locking up yet another AFC East division title and would continue a stretch of five divisional games in six weeks to round out the 2017 regular season.

Tom Brady on the field three hours before kickoff pic.twitter.com/XnuL9hIgE3

— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) December 3, 2017

A Tom Brady fan, wearing a Michigan jersey, towers over other tailgaters in Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/GtoEqW4age

— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) December 3, 2017

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A post shared by Julian Edelman (@edelman11)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcPnr_EAYdT/?hl=en&taken-by=bbhulksmash

In the first quarter it appeared the Bills would draw first, until a former teammate just recently released from their practice squad, came back to haunt his former team. New England, meet your new defensive end Eric Lee.

A red zone interception by Lee thwarted early Bills points.

https://twitter.com/patriots/status/937385410904260609

Tony Romo shared a pretty funny story yesterday about Brady and Amendola having no idea who Eric Lee was during the Miami game. pic.twitter.com/PYtm79N4Eg

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) December 4, 2017

Getting the ball back and an early momentum shift, it appeared the Patriots would make the Bills pay for their costly interception, but Tom Brady missed his recievers on third down and were forced to settle with an early field goal.

CBS cameras would catch Brady in a heated argument with offesnive coordinator Josh McDaniels over the missed connections downfield.

3-0 Patriots after a quarter.

Tom Brady getting into sorts with Josh McDaniels. pic.twitter.com/HCZuhKevTC

— Rich Hill (@PP_Rich_Hill) December 3, 2017

WATCH: Don’t ever piss off Tom Brady, even if you’re Josh McDaniels. pic.twitter.com/y4CR1WIyQy

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/rizzuti09/status/937401146125062144

Phillip Dorsett and Brandin Cooks were wide open on the incompletion that sparked the screaming match between McDaniels and Brady. pic.twitter.com/Jr68GEgMEO

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) December 4, 2017

Brady on his heated sideline argument with Josh McDaniels: “It’s just football. We’ve been around each other a lot. I love Josh.”

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) December 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/patriots/status/937392219786379264

Althought the Patriots still struggled to find a rhythm in the end zone, Eric Lee continued to punish his former team on defense.

https://twitter.com/patriots/status/937401910553755648

In the second quarter, the Patriots running game stepped up, with Dion Lewis tallying the teams longest running play of the season.

https://twitter.com/patriots/status/937394909094359040

That was the longest run of the season for the Patriots.

— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) December 3, 2017

Dion Lewis just killed a guy pic.twitter.com/uKwvzqo6dw

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 3, 2017

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A post shared by Dion Lewis (@d_lew33)

Unfortunately the Patriots again would comeup short in the red zone and have to settle for a second field goal. 6-0 Patriots at the 6:20 mark of the second quarter.

The Bills would finally get on the board with a Stephen Hauscka field goal to cut the lead in half to 6-3 but the Patriots running game continued to shine, this time with Rex Burkhead.

https://twitter.com/patriots/status/937400216977682432

The career long 31 yard run by Burkhead would setup a third Gostkowski field goal and the Patriots would go into the half surprisingly only up six with no touchdowns.

Tom Brady First Half Stats:
Total: 8/14 (57%) 96yds

By Down:
1st: 1/2 (50%) 11yds
2nd: 5/8 (63%) 68yds
3rd: 2/4 (50%) 17yds

— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) December 3, 2017

In the second half, the trio of Lewis and Burkhead continued their big day, and would finally setup the first touchdown of the game. Burkhead would find the end zone and a 16-3 Patriots lead.

https://twitter.com/patriots/status/937410988596346880

https://twitter.com/caseybake16/status/937408413864218624

Despite the lack of touchdowns, Buffalo native Rob Gronkowski also had a big day on the stat sheet, nine receptions for 147 yards, including this ridiculous catch.

https://twitter.com/patriots/status/937415179419054080

Unfortunately a short time later, it would all be overshadowed by an uncharacteristic dirty play by Gronkowski after losing his cool about being held with no flag.

Gronkowski dove onto Bills cornerback Tre’davious White well after a play was over that resulted in a Bills interception. Gronk earned a one game suspension as a result and heavy criticism from around the league.

"In my opinion, that was a play where Gronkowski should have been ejected from the game… Maybe even a suspension going forward."@DeanBlandino breaks down Gronk's hit from today's game. pic.twitter.com/WgZ8U4tS8s

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 3, 2017

Rex Burkhead continued his strong game with his second touchdown of the quarter, and the Patriots all but put away the Bills with a 23-3 lead that would stand as the final score.

The Patriots would earn their tenth win of 2017 and eighth in a row.

https://twitter.com/patriots/status/937434973983744000

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcQThP4hTwu/?taken-by=tombrady

https://twitter.com/onlyinbos/status/937425932339564544

https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/937426338050437121

Lot of games still to play, but the Patriots D has already passed Carolina’s to move into top 10 in fewest points allowed #DoYourJob pic.twitter.com/YVPllUKoi5

— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton1) December 3, 2017

Bill Belichick apologizes to Sean McDermott for the Gronk hit that gave Tre' White a concussion. Called it bull%^&*. pic.twitter.com/qfkBB9bgid

— Prescott Rossi (@PrescottRossi) December 3, 2017